ONE of the worst-injured soldiers in Prince Harry's regiment achieved an ambition yesterday - by standing to welcome home comrades.
Just over two months ago, Trooper Corie Mapp lost both legs when his tank hit a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.
But he vowed to learn to walk again with false legs in time to see his unit return home. Yesterday Trooper Mapp astonished medics by realising that ambition at Combermere Barracks in Windsor, Berkshire.
Using sticks to keep his balance, the 32-year-old dad-of-three stood to attention to welcome fellow members of C Squadron, the Household Cavalry. He and colleagues also received service medals from Lieutenant General Barney White-Spunner.
Homecoming ... Christian Hockings with Rhian and Rhys
In his first interview, Corie told The Sun: "I wanted to be here to see the others come home. It was a mental battle, but I wanted to achieve this goal. You can't just sit down and decide that because your legs have come off you give up on life.
"I have three kids to live for so I have to remain an active man." Trooper Mapp's life changed on the morning of January 31. He was on a vehicle patrol in a Scimitar 45 tank in Northern Helmand when the booby trap bomb went off.
He said: "We were supporting 1 Royal Anglian when my vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. It was a very big blast."
Corie also suffered serious facial scars. He and the other two injured men in his vehicle were flown back to Birmingham's Selly Oak hospital within hours of the incident.
He was the worst-injured soldier from C Squadron's six-month tour of Afghanistan which ended when they arrived home yesterday.
The trooper was joined by his children Erin, Jodie and Alexa for the parade. He now hopes to play volleyball at the 2012 Paralympic Games.
As crowds cheered and waved flags, Warrant Officer Christian Hockings, from Bridgend, South Wales, celebrated his return with children Rhian, two, and Rhys, four.
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