Christmas at Headley Court

The seriously injured servicemen at Headley Court, in Epsom, have enjoyed a festive line-up of treats, including a delivery of Christmas trees by Surrey Cadets, Christmas presents donated by various charities and handmade Christmas decorations from local schools.

The Sun newspaper’s Page 3 girls were also on hand last week to hand out gifts and sign calendars for the soldiers during their Christmas lunch, which saw the delivery of 14 turkeys.

Today, patients will be treated to a special showing of the new film The Hobbit, courtesy of movie giant Warner, which has agreed for it to be shown in the centre's new Medicinema which opened in October thanks to a £410,000 donation by the Royal British Legion. 

The servicemen will then travel home in style on Friday morning when the latest fleet of Jaguar’s model estates will arrive to pick them up.

Despite many of the soldiers being on a "rollercoaster" journey at Headley Court, they are optimistic for the new year and are looking forward to a Christmas at home.

Sergeant Jay Baldwin, 27, from Crawley, of 1st Battalion Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, which recruits from London and Surrey, was injured in January in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Helmand province, Afghanistan. 

He lost both legs, one below the knee and one through the knee, but says he would "love" to return to Afghanistan and does not feel down about his situation.

The dad-of-two says: "Right after the attack, I was fine.  I wanted to get myself and the guys out and once we got back, I put my hands down my trousers and I was happy.  Everything was still there.

"When I was first injured and woke up I said to my line manager that these are the jobs I can do back in battalion.  I would love to do it but realistically I don't know whether that's going to happen or not. 

"I would love to go back out to Afghan even if it's just looking after the boys.  I know I won't be able to get back onto the front line.

"I've been in the army 10 years.  I wouldn't say I'm naive to civilian life, but it's just something you get to learn and know. 

"It's been a roller-coaster year but you just have to get on with it - life's too short for everything.  I don't experience any down days - I've got two kids and a girlfriend at home.  The kids don't say anything about my legs.  They like the fact that I'm there now all the time."

Private Paul Lambert, 32, of 1st Scots, was injured in 2009 after stepping on an IED.  He lost both his legs, but dreams he still has them.

He says: "I am more than lucky to be alive, any one of my injuries could have killed me outright.  It's a testament to the skills-set of the surgeons nowadays that I'm still here.

"I appreciate everything a bit more now.  It's the wee things you don't take notice of at first and then take for granted like reaching the top shelves to get biscuits.  I've been drunk a few times in the pub sitting in my wheelchair and I got up to go to the toilet and realised I was in my wheelchair.

"I've been drunk a few times in the pub sitting in my wheelchair and I got up to go to the toilet and then realised I was in my wheelchair.

"I've had two dreams in the past couple of years that I've had no legs.  In all my dreams I've pretty much got both of my legs.  What's bizarre is feeling my pinky toenails need to be cut because I can feel them rubbing against the others.

"We were told by the major before we went out that 'look lads one of you is going to be injured'.  It was going to be more or somebody else and I'd rather it be me and survive then one of my muckers and them dying. 

"Headley Court has changed a lot since I've been here.  It's a fantastic place.  It's good that guys from a military background can still feel military and you can make mates you would never have been in contact with before.  And there is a prosthetics skills-set which is among the best in Europe.

"Always look on the bright side.  I don't think I'll ever not need my wheelchair but I will have the opportunity to walk with my new legs.  I will still have the opportunity to have kids and live the rest of my life without feeling sorry for myself.

"Family and friends don't treat me differently now.  They're more appreciative about each other too.  They still keep the biscuits on the top shelf.  Shocking."

Ollie Cole, 28, from Alresford, who works within flight operations in the RAF, has been at Headley Court for nine weeks after having an operation to remove a spinal cord tumour. 

He said: "Predominantly the guys that are here have been injured in combat so they are amputees, but Headley Court deals with all serviceman - everyone from the navy, air force, army and if they've got complex injuries they need to come here for their treatment. 

"It's good fun here, there's good banter.  There's the attitude of just get up and go and get on with everything and that's good because it means you forget about what's happened and just get on with what you need to do. 

"It's been fantastic because I compare my injury as a lesser injury to the guys who have been blown up in Afghanistan so to see how they deal with stuff has really inspired and lifted me to deal with my injury as well. 

"You have to take advantage of the fact that you've got brilliant facilities and physiotherapists - something you probably wouldn't get on the NHS.

"It's a more relaxed environment than being on duty and I think it needs to be with regards to what's happened to various people here.  You are given a bit of leniency. 

"There's definitely a camaraderie among those at HC.  When I first arrived it didn't take long to fit in and meet new people and I've really enjoyed it so far."

David Maclean, 28, from Bournemouth, of Ist Rifles, was injured four years ago during a fight with the Taliban and had one leg amputated below the knee.

He plans to leave the army next year and join the prison service.

He said: "I'm looking into getting out of the army in 2013 and am thinking about the prison service.  I've been in the army for 12 years so I like a uniform.  The army was is strict and I like order in my life."