Supporting generations
Above Just a few of Wally’s medals and decorations Below Photographs from Wally’s time serving in the Merchant Navy
What was rehab like?
S: It was fantastic. Initially, I was really
frustrated because I thought I would be
in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. Then
I met this lad who had lost both his legs.
He explained about prosthetics and I was
so happy. I went straight on to YouTube to
check it out. Headley Court was excellent,
although it was boring. I had a metal frame
on my right leg for four months and wasn’t
allowed to put any weight on it at all. The
rehab was excellent though, and now I’ve
got BLESMA to help with my recovery.
W: Back in those days we didn’t really have
rehab. The doctor gave you constipation
treatment for everything, that was just
about all they had! They couldn’t afford
to send me to hospital, so I just carried
on as best I could, even though my leg
was in a poor state.
How have BLESMA helped?
S: I’m just starting out on that journey but
it’s good to know the charity is there to
give me support. I need a new socket for
the blade I’ll need for my running and I’ve
heard BLESMA can help out with things
like that. I’m also going to look into the
activities they run, too. They offer a lot,
so I’m going to get involved with as much
20 www.blesma.org
as I can. It’s great meeting other Members
too. Wally’s very inspiring – he’s just got
on with it despite all the problems he’s had.
W: BLESMA have been really helpful. They
got me a new wheelchair and repaired my
old one. They let me try a prosthetic leg
too, which I worked very hard to get used
to but eventually just couldn’t get on with.
They’ve visited me a number of times to
make sure I’m doing ok – they’ve really
looked after me. And they do great things
for the young lads like Stephen who get
injured on operations.
What does the future look like for you?
S: My injury isn’t going to stop me for
a moment. I’ve already visited America,
Mexico, Ibiza, Turkey and Amsterdam since
I’ve come back from Afghanistan, and
I’m going to see if I’ve got what it takes to
compete in the Paralympics. I did a course
called Front Line to Start Line, where
injured military guys meet athletes and
try various sports. They think I might have
potential to compete in the long jump and
100m. I’ve also recently got into motocross
– I use a broomstick to change gear instead
of my leg – and I’m involved in the GB
development amputee football squad. You
play on crutches, and some of the lads are
unbelievably good. I’ve only just started
– some of the lads are doing overhead
kicks! – but I’d like to get more into it.
W: I’ve written letters to the Queen and the
military about increasing the recognition
of the Merchant Navy’s role during WWII
– we never get as much of a mention as the
Army. I’ve campaigned with MPs on several
issues and I was involved in establishing
a memorial for those lost on HMS Patia.
I regularly travel to Boulmer for reunions
with those who were there that day. And
I still love to read about the histo