Two years after fearing he would never walk again, a brave Perth soldier has returned to the frontline.
Lance Corporal Gee Davidson, of The Black Watch, was seriously injured after his vehicle hit an IED (improvised explosive device) during a desert patrol in Afghanistan in May 2009.
The 25-year-old broke his back in three places, as well as breaking three ribs and sustaining lacerations and bruises to one side of his body.
He was flown straight back to the UK, where he was admitted to the military hospital at Selly Oak, Birmingham, before being transferred to Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre, Surrey.
Through extensive physiotherapy and treatment sessions, L/Cpl Davidson has made a full recovery and been declared fit for battle, returning to serve with The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS).
”I was a bit of a mess and there were concerns that I wouldn’t be able to walk again,” he said. ”It’s been a gruelling two years but I didn’t want to miss out on this tour and so set myself the target to get better in time for it. The rest is history.”
L/Cpl Davidson has been deployed back to Afghanistan with his fellow troops as part of a six-month tour which started in September. He is part of the reconnaissance platoon on operations in the Nad-e Ali district in Helmand Province, considered one of the most dangerous jobs out there.
The platoon does not hold ground to provide security like other troops, but is used to obtain information on the enemy and disrupt insurgent activity, often operating in front of friendly troops or behind enemy lines. While his role brings him into contact with the enemy, L/Cpl Davidson said it has also shown him who his true friends are.
He added: ”There’s an old Scottish phrase ‘Friends are good on the day of battle’ and it’s true. The tour has been full of challenges but we’ve achieved a lot, too. It’s been really satisfying to go into areas that we have had no control over and slowly but surely force the insurgents away.
”The gratitude on the faces of the locals as they can begin to live without fear of intimidation makes all the risks worthwhile. I’m really proud of what we’ve done here.”
As part of efforts to pass on his experience, L/Cpl Davidson has taken fellow Perth resident, Private Andrew Cruickshanks, under his wing. This is the 20-year-old’s first tour of Afghanistan.
”We have been in a fair few fights, which was a bit of a shock to begin with but your training and your mates around you get you through it,” he said. ”It has been good to have the advice of someone who has seen it all before.”
The Black Watch battalion are due to return home from Afghanistan next month, before taking part in parades throughout Scotland.