Love gets Iraq war hero back on his feet

8:22am Saturday 28th June 2008

An unsung hero soldier is preparing to walk down the aisle with the woman he met while recovering after almost losing his leg in a close brush with death in Iraq.

Twenty-two-year old Sam Winkless, of Pennar, Pembroke Dock, miraculously cheated death when he was hit in the leg by a mortar round on July 31st last year while serving in Iraq with the Second Battalion of the Royal Welsh Armoured Infantry.

While he was recovering, Sam got back in touch with old friend Elizabeth Protheroe, aged 23, through a social networking website, and now the couple are preparing to tie the knot next week at St John's Church, Pembroke Dock.

Sam said: "I remember everything about being hit. The shell hit me and should have blown me up into 20 pieces, but because it hit me on the calf the shrapnel exploded over the top of me. I was lucky."

The word lucky' might be considered an understatement to describe Sam's experience. He told the Western Telegraph he was carrying more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition at the time, as well as eight deadly grenades, but nothing went off.

But, some of Sam's friend weren't so lucky.

"I've lost some really good mates out in Iraq," he added. "It makes me me angry when people put us down. We are just doing what we were sent out there to do."

Sam was in hospital in Birmingham for five months, including a three-week spell in intensive care, before being moved to Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre, where he is still receiving treatment.

The wounded soldier had bone taken from his hip and endured nine skin graft surgeries to help rebuild his leg, but managed to escape one of his worst fears - losing a limb.

While he was recovering at the rehabilitation centre last summer, Sam got back in touch with Elizabeth on a social networking website and their re-acquaintance soon turned to romance.

Elizabeth laughed: "He was in a wheelchair at the time. I told him I was going out to a rave and he said can you take me with you?'"

Sam also gets along very well with Liz's five year-old son, Mikey, whose recent play session with Sam's adjustable walking stick nearly ended in a nasty accident.

Although his career in the army has been cut short, Sam has no regrets about his experiences.

"Before I joined the army I was always getting arrested," he added.

"It's really straightened me out and in some ways it has been the best time of my life."

Talking about his future career plans, Sam said: "I'm hoping to get a diploma in criminology through a home-learning course. I want to work with youth offenders."