Shropshire war hero's brave walk to receive medal

Shropshire war hero Ricky Furgusson who lost both legs in a bomb blast in Afghanistan today spoke of his joy at being able to walk to receive a gallantry award from the Queen.

Corporal Furgusson, of 4th Battalion The Rifles, said he felt honoured to be awarded the Military Cross for going to the aid of wounded comrades on four separate occasions. The investiture ceremony was at Buckingham Palace.

Ricky said: "It's been a shock coming here, to be honest.

"The Queen was polite. She said she'd heard I was a brave soldier and was pleased with what I've done and what I'm doing now."

The 25-year-old, from Stirchley, in Telford, looked immaculate in his dress uniform and wore a pair of carbon fibre legs costing £32,000, which he has been using for the last six weeks, with shiny boots.

He added: "I've been having a bit of a problem with the legs not fitting properly. I've had to stuff all sorts down there to make them comfortable - even bath sponges.

"This is the first time I've worn boots, which are not easy to walk in because they tip you at an angle.

"But I still managed to walk in them up to the Queen, that's what I wanted to do and that's what I did."

Palace officials said the Military Cross was given for "an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy".

Corporal Furgusson was joined at today's ceremony by his father Paul, 50, mother Tracy, 47, and sister Melissa, 28.

As well as losing both his legs he lost an eye and fingers on both hands in the bomb blast in January.

He spent five weeks in intensive care and has had 17 operations including skin grafts from his forearm to recreate his lips and skin taken from his stomach to make a left cheek.

The soldier took his first steps about four months after his devastating injuries but remains optimistic and cheerful.

He joked: "I used to think I was good looking. People look at me in funny ways now but I don't care I just get on with things."

The corporal also revealed how he met a mystery nurse in the palace who treated him when he was flown back from Afghanistan.

He said: "I came out of a lift and this lady said to me 'are you Ricky Furgusson' and I said 'yes', and she said 'I'm the one that treated you on the aircraft - nice to see you with a face'."

Following the ceremony, his mum said: "It has been absolutely amazing. He went up on his legs to get it."