A young Royal Engineers' officer who trained at Chatham's Brompton Barracks is upset at what he calls the “general indifference” shown by the British public to returning heroes.

Lieut Andy Wilson, 24, of 20 Squadron, 36 Engineer Regiment, was training soldiers of the Afghan Army in Helmand Province on a night operation when his armoured troop carrier toppled from a bridge into a stream.

He was trapped inside but he and the other Sappers in the vehicle managed to manage to clamber out. Part of his right forearm was so severely injured he was flown to hospital and then back to the UK after only two months in Afghanistan.

But Lieut Wilson says he wishes the welcome the regiment received in Maidstone could be replicated elsewhere

36 Engineer Regiment is based in Maidstone, but has strong Medway links. Many of the Sappers and their families live in the Brompton area.

Lieut Wilson was speaking in advance of the Help For Heroes charity soccer match at Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham, on May 4. The event will raise money for the Forces’ Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children and OAPs.

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