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Monday, July 20th, 2009

Amputee soldier returning home after leaving army

by wendy

Jul 18 2009 by Tom Mullen, Evening Chronicle

Soldier amputee Anthony Makin

A SOLDIER who lost a leg in a Taliban bomb blast is leaving the Army and returning to Tyneside.

Anthony Makin made headlines when he returned to the frontline in Afghanistan, despite losing his right leg in a roadside bombing.

Former Defence Secretary Des Browne was among those leading tributes to the squaddie, who also met the Queen after being fitted with a prosthetic limb.

But the accident, in war-torn Helmand Province, left the Lance Bombardier with recurring problems in his left leg.

Now, Anthony has decided to return to civilian life after his military masters said he could be discharged on medical grounds.

The 22-year-old, originally of Benwell, Newcastle – whose girlfriend, Sarah is expecting their first child – is hoping to retrain as a gym instructor.

He said: “You never know what’s around the corner and now it’s time for something new.

“I had my leg blown off but I have no regrets. I was a professional soldier. I’m just going to get on with life.

“I was just about to be promoted again to full Bombardier so the timing’s a bit bad, but there you go.”

It was during a routine patrol two days after Christmas in 2006 when Anthony’s convoy was hit by a so-called improvised explosive device, killing a colleague and sending a six-inch piece of shrapnel into his right foot.

His limb had to be amputated below the knee and medics told him it was likely his Army career had come to an end.

But, just months later, the soldier began an amazing recovery. In October last year he was cleared to return to the frontline with his younger brother, Paul, who joined the same regiment after being inspired by his sibling’s heroics.

Then, despite excelling once again in his duties, swelling in his left leg caused him to leave the tour early in March.

He returned to training with 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery in Plymouth, shortly afterwards, but is once again back at his home in Pelaw, South Tyneside, after problems with his left limb resurfaced.

(Thanks to Steve McNeice for sending this article)

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