Afghanistan soldier swapping front line for a new adventure
AN EASTBOURNE soldier who almost died when he stepped on a Taliban mine in Afghanistan is starting a new business with his Army pay-out – as a funeral director.
Brave Christopher Howard, who had his right leg and hand blown off while serving in Sangin, Helmand province, was determined not to get stuck in a "dead-end" job after battling back from his blast injuries.
Now he has set up a funeral directors in Seaside with his mother, Donna Payne, who works at the Eastbourne District General Hospital as a mortician.
Yesterday, Christopher, 21, a sniper with the 2nd Battalion the Rifles, said, "I wanted to use my compensation to set myself up for life and thought this would be perfect.
"Everyone thinks I'm joking when I say I'm going to be a funeral director. There's a pause and then they realise I'm deadly serious.
"It might seem a strange choice of career after being blown up but being in a war zone, so close to death, has actually prepared me for this job. I saw a lot of things no one should see in Afghanistan and I'm not squeamish at all."
Christopher's mum, Donna, of Firle Road, had dreamed of opening up her own funeral parlour before he was sent to war.
The rifleman lost his leg above the knee and half his right hand after stepping on an improvised explosive device six weeks shy of completing a six-month tour of duty. Three of his comrades died in the secondary explosion.
He was flown back to Britain where he needed two blood transfusions and 15 operations to save his life.
Donna said, "I was at work when they told me Chris was critically injured. I went to be with him, and didn't think he'd make it. He'd lost all of his own blood and almost died twice.
"It was six weeks before I dared think he might live. I was there when he first opened his eyes and was so grateful that he could see and hear me as he had shrapnel injuries to his face."
Army chiefs, Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd and friends and family will be at the grand opening of the new funeral directors on August 13 – a year to the day since Christopher was injured in the blast while on foot patrol.
He is now walking on his prosthetic leg after recovering at Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey. He said, "I'm going to be heavily involved and learn everything I need to do the job. Mum will teach me a lot but I might have to take some qualifications. I'm taking this very seriously."
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 21 C
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