Just three days before this picture (above) was taken, this young soldier had a miraculous escape after being hit in the neck during a fire fight with Taliban gunmen in southern Afghanistan.

Kingsman Liam Philpott, of the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was hammering nails into a piece of wood to create a door at his patrol base in Helmand to keep out the bitterly cold weather when the building was struck by a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG).

Liam, 21, from St Annes, Blackpool, said: "The wall was hit and we started coming under fire. At the time, people were just doing normal things, such as cooking and washing their clothes.

"When we came under attack, our natural reaction was to grab our body armour, helmets and ear defenders and just start firing back. The gunmen were only about 150m away."

Working alongside a colleague on 'switch around', where one soldier returns fire while the other reloads his rifle magazine, Liam recalled: "My weapon had a stoppage and the Taliban fired back.

"One of the rounds hit a stone, fragmented and struck me in the neck. I didn't notice for a few minutes. Then my corporal came up to me and told me I'd been hit."

Within four hours of being wounded, Kgn Philpott had been taken back to Camp Bastion and treated in hospital.

Liam said: "The shrapnel was removed and I was back up on my feet again. I had four stitches on the inside of the wound and it was glued on the outside, so it shouldn't leave a bad scar.

"After being wounded, I was in shock and it only hit me how serious it was when I got to the hospital, with all the nurses around me. It makes you realise how vulnerable you are, even though you've got body armour and a helmet."

Now returned to duties, Kgn Philpott's thoughts are with family and friends as Christmas approaches.

In a message to his parents, he said: "Mum, Dad and Jess. I'm missing you loads and I'll be home soon to see you all. Mum - could you tell Nan Shirley that I said hello and I send her my love.

"And, Dad, tell Nan and Grandad that I said hello and I send my love to them as well, and I'll see them when I get back.

"I'm doing alright after what happened and I’ll be going back out, so I'll see you all next year. Mum, have a happy birthday, Christmas and New Year and, Dad, have a good Christmas and New Year. We'll have a party when I get back. Love you both loads and see you when I get back. Liam. xx"

Liam also had a message for his fiancé: "Jess, I'm missing you so much and I'm thinking about you every day. Can't wait to get home and see you, but it's not long now. Have a mint Christmas and New Year, and when I get back we'll have our own parties for them. Love you loads, babe, and see you soon, Liam. xx"

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