Sponsored by
Afghanistan soldier at mum's side as she weds
A BRAVE soldier who lost his leg in Afghanistan was at his mum's side as she got married at Eastbourne Town Hall last week.
It was 11 weeks to the day since 21-year-old Rifleman Chris Howard of 2nd Battalion the Rifles lost his leg and part of his hand while on foot patrol in Sangin, when his mum, 41-year-old Donna Sharp became Mrs Payne when she married partner Rod.
Also at the wedding was Rifleman Paul Jacobs, also from 2nd Battalion the Rifles, who lost an eye in Afghanistan a week after Rfm Howard was injured.
There were a few tears as the bride, a mortician at Eastbourne District General Hospital, went into the Town Hall on Thursday (October 29).
Donna had suffered worry and pain when, on August 13, she was told her son had been seriously injured. He twice nearly died but has surprised doctors by his determination. He was hopping round in a matter of weeks and is now at Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey where he has started to learn to walk with a prosthetic leg.
Both Rfm Howard and Rfm Jacobs were given special permission to attend wedding ceremony. The soldiers are classed as being at work while in rehab so must have a good reason to take leave, and the wedding of Mr and Mrs Payne, who live in Firle Road, Eastbourne, was a great reason.
Just after getting married, Mrs Payne said it was a very happy day.
Asked if she had been worried her son would miss her wedding Donna said, "I didn't think of anything. Every minute of every day I was only thinking about keeping him alive."
Asked if he had feared he would miss his mum's wedding, Rfm Howard said, "I always thought I'd make it. It's one of the things you look forward to."
Between jokes, his friend and comrade Rfm Jacobs, from south London, paid tribute to him. He said, "Chris is tremendous. He's doing very, very well. He is a very, very remarkable soldier. Joe Public should be so proud of him."
• Click on the green PLAY button to watch the video.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Eastbourne
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: West
