By Sarah Dale
17 December 2025
The Forcer Protocol is a life-saving initiative for UK veterans inspired by Hartlepool dad-of-three.
Christmas is the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ for most of us, but for those struggling with their mental health, it can be the very worst time of year as festive music plays in the town centres, families gather to pose for happy photos on social media, and reminders of happier times are everywhere.
For those who served in the armed forces and are adjusting to civvy life, navigating relationship and/or family breakdowns, and suffering with complex PTSD, it can be brutal.
That is why Claire Lilly is making a heartfelt plea to individuals and companies looking for good causes to support this Christmas or who are making plans for which charities and CICs (community interest companies) to support throughout 2026 to consider The Forcer Protocol.
The Forcer Protocol is a UK-wide police initiative to help locate and protect serving or ex-service personnel who go missing. Greater Manchester Police was the first police force to adopt the Forcer Protocol coinciding with Remembrance Day in 2023. It currently has 17 police forces on board and Claire’s mission is to ensure it is implemented by every police force across the whole of the UK.
It has saved hundreds of lives, a fact that fills Claire with both pride and heartache.
Claire set it up in honour of her ex-husband, Alan Forcer, from Hartlepool, who died by suicide in May 2020.
The dad-of-three was found three days after he was reported missing by Claire and was eventually found in woodland in Stockton following the discovery of his abandoned car. His devoted dog, Zeus, by his side.
“Alan joined the Army when he was 16 and toured both Kosovo and Northern Ireland during times of conflict,” says Claire, who lives in Essex with their son Josh, 24, and Zeus.
“I worked for the military for 16 years; I know military life. When Alan went missing, I knew straight away that we had to find him. The Forcer Protocol ensures that vital key details are shared via the Safe & Found form such as health conditions, triggers, safe places. This means that if a veteran or serving personnel is reported missing, police officers can use that information to escalate the search appropriately and speed up the search and help people access the right support. This is what Alan needed.”
Claire met “very cheeky” Alan in 1999, and the couple married the following year. Although they got divorced in 2003, they remained co-parents and best friends and she was the first person to raise the alarm when Alan went missing in May 2020.
“Alan was a very empathetic, caring soul but could become very angry and aggressive, which was all part of his then undiagnosed complex PTSD,” she says.
“He was finally diagnosed in 2018. He was addicted to drugs, alcohol and prescription drugs because of underlying trauma. Visceral images would be triggered by smells.
“He had times where he excelled in his career, kept really fit and was a very focused dad and would have periods of abstinence, but he would fall off the wagon. Before he died, he had discovered the positive benefits of going to the gym on his mental health but the pandemic-imposed lockdowns on gyms had a real effect on his mental health as one of his coping strategies was no longer available to him.”
The loss of Alan five-and-a-half years later is still keenly felt by Claire and Josh who endeavour to continue to work hard to save lives in his memory.
Josh was just 18 when his Dad died. He recently attended the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph in London with Zeus.
Josh remembers how much he loved their dad-and-lad fishing trips when he was growing up. The memories inspired Josh to become an honourable captain at Phoenix Heroes, which provides veteran community support. He volunteers his time to support veterans with CPTSD on fishing trips to reap the positive benefits of spending time outdoors in nature has on boosting mental health.
“It’s the chance to do something constructive outdoors alongside other veterans who have shared the same experiences,” says Josh.
“I can see the impact on my own mental health when I’m fishing or hiking outdoors.”
Talking about Alan and his legacy through The Forcer Protocol is a huge part of Claire’s life as she continues her mission to ensure that every police force across the UK is enlisted to the life-saving initiative. She recently appeared on ex-police officer and award-winning Teesside entrepreneur Paul Cooper’s Pocket Sergeant Podcast to highlight the cause.
“It has been really cathartic as a family, addressing and galvanising that pain,” says Claire.
The Forcer Protocol has some high-profile supporters including the actor Ross Kemp, who is an advocate for veterans. He says: “The Forcer Protocol is vital to ensuring the safety of vulnerable veterans. I believe it should be implemented at a national level.”
Find out more about The Forcer Protocol and how to support the organisation through donations and corporate sponsorship at www.forcerprotocol.org
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