The commanding officer of Arbroath-based 45 Commando Group speaks of his pride and humility at the astonishing levels of commitment and determination shown by men of his unit in their battles to recover from the horrific combat injuries.
For the first time since it was established fours years ago — initially to help service personnel suffering from the usual bumps and scrapes associated with the rough and tumble of day-to-day life in of the world’s most feared and respected fighting units — Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Lee allowed a limited degree of access to Harden Troop.
Although at first glance there is little to distinguish the men of this unique sub-unit from the other camouflage or PT kit-clad commandos based at RM Condor on the outskirts of Arbroath, closer inspection reveals that the 30-odd members of Harden Troop are special.
Each marine has suffered and overcome terrible battlefield injuries and, showing the spirit for which their unit is famed, they are determined to regain as much of their fitness as they can.
Most of them are pursuing the ultimate goal of resuming their place in one of 45 Commando’s frontline fighting rifle companies.
Harden Troop is named in honour of Royal Army Medical Corps Lance Corporal Henry Harden, who earned a posthumous VC when he was killed while serving with 45 Commando in Holland in 1945.
The unit’s operational tours in Iraq and Afghanistan have seen an increasing number of personnel sustaining life-changing injuries.
In response, Harden Troop has evolved into RM Condor’s own “in house” rehabilitation group for men aiming to regain their strength and fitness with a view to either rejoining their unit or, if that proves impossible, making the very best of their return to civilian life.
Harden Troop’s strength is drawn from those who saw action with 45 Commando Group on their last operational tour of duty in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province in 2008/09 and who sustained injuries as a result of gunshots or improvised explosive devices.
These injuries range from shattered limbs and soft tissue damage caused by bullets or bombs to those who have lost parts of limbs in explosions or through life-saving surgery.
Such has been the success of the concept that it has now been adopted by 40 and 42 Commando groups, a development which is a source of great pride to 45 Commando Group’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Lee.
He said, “Harden Troop has become one of the focuses for our men who have suffered such profoundly serious injuries while serving with the commando.
“It brings together several aspects of their ongoing rehabilitation including physiotherapy, physical training, welfare, social work and medical treatment.
“Because of our relatively isolated geographical position compared to the other units of 3 Commando Brigade, it is of great benefit for the lads to receive this sort of treatment on base, where they can be closer to their families and to their comrades.
“The welfare of these men is something I care passionately about and, from a moral and morale point of view, having them here optimises their recovery.
“As their commanding officer I have to say it is humbling to see the way these very brave men approach their recovery from very serious injuries.”
The troop is commanded by Captain Fin Farthing, assisted by Sergeant Gordon Dunbar, who said, “As well as helping the guys towards their rehabilitation it is important to keep them concentrated on the military side of things as well, with the eventual aim of returning them to their jobs.”
He added, “Although I think they enjoy being in Harden Troop what they really want is to get themselves to the stage where they are fit enough to return to their companies.”