Blueface,
by my maths, you were 21 when you went AWOL. If you were a spotty faced teenager made to join up by your parents, I'd have more sympathy, but you weren't. You were an adult.
Sorry to say it, but everyone balls up. Be a man, hand yourself in and take it on the chin. Then you can get on with your life.
After all, you did take the Queen's shilling.