Hero soldier's battle to make dream wedding
A SOLDIER left maimed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan kept his promise to his bride by walking down the aisle at the weekend.
Serjeant Jon Bolam, 35, was just yards away from a hidden roadside bomb when it exploded in Helmand province just over a year ago.
Rifleman Daniel Hume, 22, was tragically killed in the blast while Jon was left with a fractured skull, jaw, eye socket and hip, as well as a broken pelvis.
But on Saturday Jon achieved the goal he set himself as he lay in a hospital bed – to walk unaided down the aisle to wed Hartlepool bride, Vicky Barnett, 28.
He said: "I wanted to be able to walk down the aisle without crutches.
"For the last 12 months, it's been all about this day and getting better. It was my dream to get married to Vicky and now it's come true."
The emotional ceremony took place at St Patrick's RC Church, in the town's Owton Manor Lane, where Jon and members of his regiment, the 4th
Battalion The Rifles, stood proudly in full military uniform.
The beautiful bride arrived in a Rolls Royce and was greeted with the sound of a bugle call.
She wore a white dress with an emerald green band in honour of the regiment's colours of black and green.
Vicky's sister Louise Barnett, 24, and friends Adele Wainwright and Gemma Gilligan, both 28, wore matching green bridesmaids dresses.
Vicky, an Army nurse who grew up in the Fens area of town, said: "I'm so lucky to have him because it could have been very different.
"I'm on top of the world."
Jon and Rfn Hume were on foot patrol in the Helmand province providing protection for a convoy when they were caught up in the blast on July 9 last year.
Jon underwent more than 20 operations after the accident which saw him spend two weeks sedated in intensive care and a further eight weeks at Selly Oak Hospital, in Birmingham.
He has had ongoing treatment at Headley Court defence rehabilitation centre, near London, and despite doctors predicting it would be 12 months before he was back on his feet, he ditched the crutches after just five.
Just six weeks ago he was able to return to work full-time with his regiment, based in Wiltshire.
Jon, who remembers nothing of the blast itself, said: "I'm delighted about where I am. It's like any injured soldier, you just want to get back to where you were."
Sporting medals of honour for time served not only in Afghanistan but also Bosnia on two occasions, Kosovo and Northern Ireland, Jon was commended by his comrades for his courage.
Colour Serjeant Neil Young, 35, who was best man, said: "He has been incredibly brave. His recovery has been unbelievable."
Serjeant Major Kevin Gagan, 34, an usher at the service, called him "an ultimate soldier".
Jon met Vicky, a former English Martyrs School and Sixth Form pupil, when she worked at Catterick Garrison and they became engaged in 2008.
Father Adrian Tuckwell led the service and Vicky's dad, Peter Barnett, 62, gave her away.
Her mum Liz Barnett, 51, and granddad Laurence Barnett were also beaming with pride.
The reception took place at Hartlepool's Historic Quay followed by a party with 200 guests.
The newlyweds are due to go away for a romantic honeymoon at a location Jon is keeping under wraps.
Jon, who grew up in Telford, Shropshire, said: "I just want to enjoy life as much as possible now."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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