A PENSIONER has thanked a young soldier who came to his aid when he fell and broke his leg.

George Poile, 71, from Stelling Minnis, near Canterbury, was shopping in the city with his wife Pat when he tripped over uneven paving opposite Superdrug and broke his femur.

Mrs Poile said: “I was in shock. But then a young man came and took complete control. He called for an ambulance on his mobile, made George as comfortable as possible and reassured him. He was marvellous.”

The soldier was 22-year-old Pte Jonathan MacCulloch, from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, based at Canterbury's Howe Barracks.

He said: “I calmed him down, loosened his jacket to help him breathe better, straightened him up, sat him up and phoned for an ambulance. I was glad to be able to help.”

On Tuesday the private, who departs for a tour of duty in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, with his battalion next year, visited Mr Poile in hospital where he is recovering from an operation.