|
And yesterday he stood side-by-side with the rest of his war-weary unit, the 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, to receive campaign medals from the Prince — their Colonel in Chief. Tom, of Worcester, grinned broadly as he walked off the parade ground at Merville Barracks in Colchester, Essex, on his new prosthetic legs.
He was the first of eight seriously-wounded paras decorated by the Prince. In all, 500 soldiers from 2, 3 and 4 Para received medals from Charles and wife Camilla.
Addressing the troops, the Prince said of the eight: “They set an amazing example.”
The Sun revealed three months ago that Tom is only the second triple amputee British serviceman in the past 30 years.
He also lost a testicle and part of a thumb to the bomb, hidden by a sandbag.
Yesterday was the first time family and pals had seen him walk on his new legs.
Tom said after the parade: “Today was a bit of a milestone. It wasn’t hard to do but it was hard to be able to do. It’s taken months, but I was always going to do it. My next goal is to get back to work.”
Delighted dad Alan, a 57-year-old builder, said: “It was very emotional. His mum and I were so proud. I always knew Tom would walk again. He’s an amazing kid.”
|
