Shropshire soldier who lost legs in blast will return to work

Tuesday 5th October 2010, 11:15AM BST.

A Shropshire soldier is to return to work in January just over a year after he suffered devastating injuries in Afghanistan.

Captain Nick Beighton, 29, from Radbrook Green, Shrewsbury, lost both his legs in a blast in the notorious Helmand Province while serving on October 5, 2009 – a year ago today.

After working through a year-long rehabilitation programme at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court, in Surrey, he now hopes to return to Minley Manor, Hampshire.

His mother Sue said her son was looking forward to returning to a work in the new year after focusing hard on his rehabilitation, although she is not yet sure what role he will have.

She said: “He has not just sat in his wheelchair and mourned the way things have turned out, he is still having an active and fulfilling life.

“Nick plans to return to work at the Royal Engineers headquarters in Hampshire. He has not been told which role he will have but it will be in an office.”

Captain Beighton was in the same intake at Sandhurst as Prince William and passed out in 2006.

The Royal Engineer suffered his life-changing injuries just weeks after he arrived for his first tour in Afghanistan.

Mrs Beighton added: “It is a sad time, being a year since the accident, but you cannot look to the past.

“I will be keeping myself busy and keep looking to the future.”

1
Claire Hughes

October 5, 2010 at 14:15

Now this young man is a hero, a real man. I am in awe of his courage and his resiliance. What a pity he and many more unsung heros are put in a position where they fight for a cause which no one wins.

He has a very supportive family and a positive attitude and I wish him every success for his future. What a man!

It is the injured soldiers that we need to take of financially, and we must not forget that…

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2
let me have my say

October 5, 2010 at 21:01

I like to wish Capt.N.Beighton, all the very best,for the future and in his new job role, good luck.

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- Chris Gordon
  
  October 6, 2010 at 13:30
  
  Top man.
  What an inspitation to us all. Makes you proud.
  
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3
ex ra David M.C.Hughes (disabled& veteran

October 9, 2010 at 18:38

To Nick and his family,
We both may be disabled,but we are only handicapped by others.
From a member of the best regiment in the british army to a member of the second bestregiment UBIQUE.
We hope next time we are with Major(Retd)Damar Ghale MBE,QGE Unit welfare Officer at the Combat Engineer School over the road,we get the chance to meet and exchange a few military disabled jokes.

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