Armouries offers hope of new life for injured serviceman

He had combined life in the Territorial Army with a career as a medieval armourer, working for private collectors and museums around the world before breaking three bones in his back fighting the Taliban.

It was four months before he was able to walk but as his rehabilitation continued there came the gradual realisation that although he was getting better he would no longer be able to do the job he loved.

He said: "When I first came back I did not deal with it very well to begin with.

"It was pretty much panic all the way; panic when I found out that I could not run or walk...It was lots of disappointments and loss of confidence."

Almost 18 months later, however, there is new hope for L/Cpl Stirling Brown, who is still recovering but has spent the last three months at the Royal Armouries Museum, in Leeds, as part of a Ministry of Defence programme that offers placements to help injured servicemen learn new skills and find work.

L/Cpl Stirling Brown, 39, a father of one who lives in Hertfordshire, had done work for the museum before, making some armour for its collection,. This time around he has been helping audit the museum's collection, learning new skills along the way.

A soldier with the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry, L/Cpl Stirling Brown suffered back and leg injuries on operations while deployed with the Queen's Dragoon Guards in Afghanistan during 2009.

He was checking his e-mails from home in a military tent in a small patrol base in South Helmand when the updraft from a helicopter, dislodged the roof of a nearby building, which then fell on the tent. He suffered crush injuries including three broken bones in his back and muscle damage to his back, neck and legs.

He was taken to hospital at the British base Camp Bastion and then later airlifted back to hospital in the UK.

After leaving hospital he went to live with relatives while taking part in a rehabilitation programme at the Reserve Training and Mobilisation Centre in Nottingham, where he spent time swimming and doing other work to try to help him get back to normality.

Prior to being injured he had also served in Iraq. His parallel career as a medieval armourer was the result of an interest he acquired from his father's antique business.

Although he hopes he may eventually be able to return to some sort of role with the TA, the extent of his back injuries mean it is impossible for him to continue making armour. It is too physically strenuous, although he hopes to be able to do some lighter work conserving armour as a hobby.

His welfare officer Nick Trevor said, "I searched for opportunities to help David return to a bright future on completion of service. During this search I came across the MOD's Return To Work Initiative programme – it seemed the perfect fit for the challenge and he is the first reservist to participate in the programme."

L/Cpl Stirling Brown is coming towards the end of his three-month placement and says he has learned a number of skills including working with people and new computer skills.

He has enjoyed it so much he may even fancy a job as a museum registrar, which involves the acquisition and disposal of objects.

The director general and master of the Armouries, Lt-Gen Jonathon Riley, said, "We are delighted to be able to offer David this placement, particularly as his injury prevents him from going back to his original, pre-Army occupation as an armourer.

"Not only are we proud to help somebody who has served their country and been injured in the course of duty, but David has a unique skills set and will be a major asset to the Armouries."

Helping signpost way to civvy street

The Ministry of Defence Programme, the Return to Work Initiative, aims to support servicemen and women by offering placements to help them learn new skills and interests and help them return to civilian life.

Taking on a role in a working environment can help to bolster the confidence of those who have undergone major trauma.

The MOD has arrangements in place for all service leavers. Those who have served six years or more are entitled to a full resettlement programme, including a three-day career workshop, use of a career consultant, a job finding service, and a re-training grant.