After attending John Ellis Community College in Leicester, Paul Swain was inspired to join the Army in July 1995 aged 17 by his older brother who had joined the 9th/12th Lancers four years previously. ...Show More
After attending John Ellis Community College in Leicester, Paul Swain was inspired to join the Army in July 1995 aged 17 by his older brother who had joined the 9th/12th Lancers four years previously. After passing basic training, Paul also joined the 9th/12th Lancers, an armoured reconnaissance regiment, initially as a tank driver.As he worked his way up the ranks, Paul became a gunner and then a tank commander in charge of up to twelve soldiers. For a few years he was an instructor at the Army Foundation College at Harrogate training recruits, a posting that he thoroughly enjoyed. As well as being an instructor in disciplines such as weapons, drill, physical training and map reading. Paul served all over the world including in Germany, Canada and Oman, with operational tours in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. While based in Germany in 2005, he raised over £2,000 for Blesma by DJing at a fundraising event.While out with his regiment on Operation Herrick 14 in May 2011 as a Staff Sergeant, Paul was helping to teach the local Afghan National Army when their Afghan interpreter stood on an improvised explosive device (IED) after wandering out of the designated safe zone. The interpreter was unfortunately killed while Paul was caught in the blast and seriously injured after trying to bring him back. Paul had lost his left arm below the elbow as well as suffering serious flesh wounds to his legs and damage to his internal organs.On returning to the UK, Paul was kept at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for eight weeks while he underwent 29 operations to fight the infections that had entered his body through his multiple injuries. He then went through rehabilitation at DMRC Headley Court for a year, learning how to adapt to having an arm missing.While at Headley Court, Paul was introduced to Blesma Support Officer (BSO) for the Midlands Charley Streather, himself also an amputee. Charley and the BSO for Projects John Francis, Paul says, were "instrumental" with helping him with compensation claims and other paperwork.It was through Blesma that Paul was introduced to the On Course Foundation. The Foundation provides work experience and full time employment for wounded service personnel through the sport of golf. Although Paul hadn't played golf since he was a child, his love for the game was rekindled and he began to compete in tournaments including representing Great Britain against the United States in the Simpson Cup. Paul will be representing Great Britain for a third time in the Simpson Cup which is being held in Washington D.C. later this year.In addition to the On Course Foundation, Paul is involved with Battle Back Golf and has represented them twice in the annual Captain Pietsch trophy tournament and has been the Battle Back Golf champion two years running!Today, Paul keeps himself busy with a multitude of occupations. He set up his own physical training business and Blesma has assisted with the funding for equipment. On top of this, Paul also invests in property with places both in the UK and abroad and occasionally DJs. Paul is also working with John Simpson, founder of the On Course Foundation, in events. Hide
