WATCH: 'Bionic legend' Clive Smith takes first steps in a year

Afterwards the former soldier, a Wolves fan from Cannock, told the Express & Star: "It's a great feeling."

Sapper Smith remortgaged his home to pay for the £90,000 medical procedure which has meant he can walk for the first time in a year.

The 30-year-old underwent pioneering surgery to join his thigh bones to titanium rods that connect directly to his artificial legs, eliminating the need for sockets which caused painful blistering and left him confined to a wheelchair because he was unable to wear them.

He said: "To walk without the sockets was a great feeling. It's also a weird feeling as I haven't walked for nearly 12 months. It took a lot of concentration but it felt like progress - and progress isn't something I've felt in the last year whilst in the UK."

He took his first tentative steps yesterday, 12 days after undergoing the eight-hour surgery at Macquarie University Hospital in Sydney.

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 battlefield.

They helped stem the blood loss and he credits them for keeping him alive until he was transferred to the field hospital at Camp Bastion. Within 36 hours he was evacuated from the Nahr-e Saraj district and 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, and also spent time at the Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall. The centre, funded by the Royal British Legion, helps sick and wounded service personnel recover.

Also introducing him to activities like wheelchair basketball, rock climbing and bowling, he attributed the centre to helping him 'focus on what I could do as opposed to what I couldn't.'

The former Cannock Chase High School student took his first tour of Afghanistan in 2008 and,on his return, 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, on October 13, that he lost his legs above the knee.

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

Since getting his artifical legs, he has competed in the men's hand bike time trial, IHB2 class, at the Invictus Games at the Olympic Park in London. He has also continued supporting the Wolves where has presented the match ball and been named Championship fan of the month.

His partner Jenn, a 29-year-old marketing manager, recorded the heart-warming moment and posted it on social media with the message: "And here's the video we have all been waiting to see!!! Please join me in congratulating this bionic legend Clive Smith. Feeling proud."

Leading up to the walk, he carried out daily weight-bearing exercises before having his prosthetic limbs fitted.

The osseointegration surgery was carried out by Dr Munjed Al Muderis, an Iraqi medic who fled Saddam Hussein's regime. The 42-year-old said he has a mission to help British soldiers who were injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sapper Smith suffered no nerves before the operation - 'I knew it was the right decision' - and he has not been in any pain.

He said: "Dr Munjed's team are very pleased with the outcome of my op and my progress, although I have a long road ahead. The physio I need boils my strength up. I'm using muscles that haven't been using before because of the sockets and not walking for 12 months."

And he paid tribute to Jenn, calling her 'my absolute rock.' He said: "She has not left my side since being here and is doing my dressings every day and sorting out my numerous medications."

She said it was fantastic to see him standing tall at last, at his full 6ft 1in height, and thanked family, friends and Facebook followers for all their support.

In social media posts, she wrote: "Words can not describe how excited and proud I am of this man. Each day is progress and this man hasn't complained once throughout.'

The pair, who knew each other as students at Cannock Chase High School, met up again on social media. and love blossomed. They will return to the home they share in Walsall next month where Spr Smith is aiming, he says, to live a 'normal' life.

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