War hero Ricky Furgusson’s royal reception
Saturday 23rd July 2011, 11:30AM BST.
Telford war hero Corporal Ricky Furgusson relived the moment he was blown up while serving in Afghanistan at a reception with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The 25-year-old, from Stirchley, was a guest at the event for wounded servicemen and women hosted by the royal pair at Highgrove.
Mr Furgusson, of 4 Rifles, was also reunited with Matt Haslam, one of the medics who helped save his life.
The ex-Lord Silkin School pupil, who was awarded the Military Cross in December, described the moment that changed his life while he was station in Sangin Province in Afghanistan.
He said: “We all went inside a building and occupied it and as we left the building, which had already been cleared, we walked out thinking it was clear.
“Unfortunately it wasn’t, there was something there that couldn’t have been laid as we entered, it was already there, and unfortunately I hit it. An improvised explosive device in the doorway.
“I obviously don’t remember getting hit, but I lost both legs above the knee, five fingers, my left eye has gone, all my lips are now reconstructed with skin grafts and the side of my face is reconstructed.”
Flt Lt Haslam, 31, from Portsmouth, was humble about his role in saving Furgusson’s life.
He said: “We don’t really save their lives, their mates on the ground save them.”
Cpl Furgusson’s girlfriend, Michelle Dodd, 24, also attended the lunch. The couple got together in February. “I’m just really proud of him, how he copes with everything,” she said.
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