Princes give a right royal morale boost to injured soldiers

A visit by Princes William and Harry to injured soldiers at the Headley Court Rehabilitation Center took a personal turn as Prince Harry was reunited with an injured soldier he'd trained alongside and the soldier who he declared the "real hero" who flew home with him from Afghanistan. Prince Harry had a private visit with Royal Marine Ben McBean, 21, who is at the center recovering from a landmine explosion, which took his right arm and leg. The soldier was near death when Harry last saw him as the two returned home from Afghanistan on the same flight. Since then the soldier has made a remarkable recovery in spite of the setback of having contracted MRSA while in hospital.

Harry was described to have been deeply moved at meeting the solider and was delighted at his swift recovery. Said Ben McBean, "Harry came rushing up to me as soon as I walked in. He said, 'Hi, I'm the guy who was on the plane with you. I was staring at you for half an hour. I'm Harry — it's a real honour to finally meet you properly. I can't believe you're standing up! It's fantastic.'

"Harry and I had a good laugh together, and William was really nice too. They're both very easy to talk to, just regular guys really, because they’re also servicemen like us. It's obvious they really care about the wounded and what happens to them, and that's good to know."

Speaking of the recognition Harry brought to his sacrifice and calling him the "real hero" Ben said, "I feel humbled that Harry said what he did. It feels good to be recognized."

After having astonished his doctors by learning how to walk on a prosthetic after only 3 days Ben is upbeat about the future. "I don't see these injuries as any more than a blip in my career. I'm over the moon, because I'm free again. I've always been a really active person, so being mobile again means so much to me. My next target is to get my new arm and learn how to use that too.

"Then, next year, I'm going to run the London Marathon to raise money for Help For Heroes, for all the blokes who are still in a bad way, including guys I was in hospital with and who are sadly still there. There's always someone worse off than you, that's what you have to remember. Headley Court is a brilliant place because it makes you realize that if they can do it, you can do it. So you just crack on."

Royal Marine Mark Ormrod, 24, who trained with prince Harry, was also at the center after having lost both legs and his right arm after stepping on a landmine in Helmand Province on Christmas Eve--the very same day Harry arrived. He's spent the past 9 weeks at the center. He was delighted when Harry recognized him from their training together. Said Mark of the visit, "The princes are quite down to earth, which you wouldn't really expect. They asked me all about my family and my injury. They are both quite involved and they don't just sit on the sidelines. It makes a difference to us rather than having someone who hasn't experienced it, it makes them more genuine."

Because of his extensive injuries Mark is now confined to an electric wheelchair and his recovery has been slow although he says he's been able to learn to use his left arm for everything. Although he will never be able to return to his duties as an active soldier Mark hopes he can get an administrative post within his unit. "As long as I can stay with the lads - it's like a family," said Mark.

"The support of people back home matters a lot more now since I've been injured. You can be told that the public support the troops but you don't really believe it until you see thousands of people turn out for a parade."

The princes also met Lieutenant James Bleach, 24, of the 14 Signals, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year. After rehabilitation he hopes to rejoin his unit. Bleach also spoke of the feeling that the public don't care for the troops who fight for their country. "Gone are the days when the public generally supported the troops. I think a lot of them do but I don't think they show it."

Lieutenant Sergeant Adam Ball, 23, with the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, lost a leg after stepping on a landmine while bravely trying to help two injured soldiers from the Afghan army. Witnesses say Adam threw himself forward to help the other soldiers after a landmine blast when a second hidden took his leg. Speaking of the princes Adam said, "I'm happy that the princes have come today. It's good that they show an interest in what we are doing and see how we are getting on. With Harry having done it himself, he knows the ins and outs, and it's more like banter, talking to an officer maybe, than talking to a royal."

Adam Ball says that he hopes to represent the UK in the 2012 Para Olympics.

During their 2 and a half hour visit to the center the princes toured the wards and rehabilitation facilities before sitting down to talk with some of the patients. The princes visit comes ahead of the planned public fundraiser City Salute Appeal set for May 7th. The Princes have asked singer Joss Stone to preform at the event. Joss had nothing but kind words or the princes who requested her to preform at the Concert for Diana last summer. The singer however had less kind words for the British government on their treatment of injured soldiers. Said Joss, "I am doing it because I support the cause and also because they [William and Harry] are good friends. We don't hang out at the pub or anything, but we get on well, and although they are the poshest people I know, they are so down to earth. It seemed like a nice thing to do.

"I think the way the Government treats our soldiers is really ****ed up. They [soldiers] can go to war and fight for our Queen and country but if they get their leg blown off they come back and are dealing with the NHS. I think the NHS is the best thing about this country, but they should have a right to private treatment paid for by the Government.

"My best friend's boyfriend is out there and it is scary. He's a good friend and is in Iraq right now. There is no guarantee that people will always be safe."

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