Travel-weary Zachary explained the card was in his barracks, which was locked.
To his amazement, he was ordered to pay £55.50p excess fare.
Zachary only had £55 on him and a girl on the train chipped in the extra 50p.
When he protested, the guard snapped: “I don’t know what you’re complaining about. It’s not as if you’ve taken a bullet.”
Zachary became angry and was ordered off the train at Chesterfield, Derbys.
He had to wait for another to his home in Sheffield, South Yorks.
He said: “I was in deserts because I had no civilian clothes with me.
It was obvious I was coming home from duty.
They were fine at the ticket office when I explained about the card.
But he took the £55.50 and told me to get off.
When he made the remark about the bullet, I admit I lost my temper and said a few things I shouldn’t have.
Luckily, none of my mates out there was killed — but for all he knew my best friend could have died. He’d no right to say that.”
Zachary, of the 1st Rifles, added: “I think he just doesn’t like squaddies.”
His outraged mum Samantha Wood, 40, said: “The whole episode is absolutely disgusting.
He has been in Iraq serving his country. He saw action and is off to Afghanistan in October.”
Cross Country Trains said: “There are no discounts without a railcard.
But we will investigate if the gentleman concerned wishes to contact us directly.” |
