Inspirational Clive is face of Poppy appeal

Out on patrol in Afghanistan clearing roadside bombs, the soldier trod on an undetected explosive and lost both of his legs in the blast that followed.

Despite being conscious throughout the ordeal, Sapper Smith's main concern was the well-being of his comrades, who rushed to his aid as he lay bleeding in the dusty battlefield.

They helped stem the blood loss before he was evacuated from the Nahr-e Saraj district and eventually flown to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

It was here, following that fateful day in October 2010, that the Hednesford war hero began his recovery.

He spent five days in critical care before being transferred to Headley Court, a rehabilitation centre in Surrey where he continues to get intensive treatment to this day.

He also spent time at the Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall, where he became determined to overcome his injuries.

The centre, which is funded by the Royal British Legion, helps wounded, injured and sick service personnel recover.

As well as emotional support and physiotherapy, the centre also offers sports and adventure activities. "Taking part in activities like wheelchair basketball, rock climbing and bowling was great fun and really encouraged me to focus on what I could do, as opposed to what I couldn't do after injury," said 27-year-old Spr Smith.

"The Battle Back Centre has given me a positive outlook which has really helped in all parts of my life.

"It's humbling to know that the Centre has been created because of the public's generous support for guys like me through the Poppy Appeal."

And it was at the centre he was spotted by the RBL, which this week launched him as the official face of this year's Poppy Appeal. It was his positive and optimistic spirit which set him apart.

"I am a very positive person," he says.

"My attitude is you can't look back. I am not going to be able to invent a time machine and change it so I have to deal with the cards I have been given and take each day as it comes."

The former Chase High School student took his first tour of Afghanistan in 2008 and it was on his return that he decided to become a bomb disposal expert.

He returned to duty in the war-torn country in early October 2010 with the 33 Engineer Regiment and it was just a few days later he lost his legs on the 13th.

"I had always wanted to be in the Army or do something like that. When I was a child I used to run about the fields with friends and sticks pretending to shoot things," he recalls.

Spr Smith joined the Army after leaving a sports coaching course at Hagley Park Sports College, saying he "always fancied blowing things up".

His father Steve today said he was an inspiration. "Him coping so well has helped us cope," he said.

"He has been so positive about it from the outset and has always said that you can't look back. So that is how we have gone along with it and shown our support as much as we can."

The retired police officer said the whole family was really proud of Clive and the work he had now done with the Poppy Appeal.

Spr Smith said: "I am never going to be free of the wheelchair. But I want to be as independent as possible.."

He now has his sights, once he has completed his rehabilitation, on sport. He enjoys playing wheelchair basketball and rock climbing.

"I will see what I'm good at and I would like to do Paralympic sports," he said.