Serving soldier Liam suffered life-changing injuries while on holiday in Thailand, including a shattered skull, broken facial bones, and a broken femur. His medical costs exceeded £100,000 but his insurance policy covered only £50,000, so without financial help he was unable to return home. The ABF’s grant of £15,960 helped enable Liam’s repatriation, and covered accommodation costs for his family while he underwent rehabilitation at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre.
Liam grew up in Hartlepool and enlisted into the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) at the age of 18. After completing his initial training at Pirbright, he undertook nine months of trade training as an Electronics Technician before being posted to 16 Regiment Royal Artillery at Thorney Island.
Now a Lance Corporal, Liam has completed several non-operational deployments, working within the air defence capability field. He has also been awarded the Wider Service Medal for his deployments.
While on holiday in Thailand with his partner, Lucy, Liam suffered severe, life-threatening injuries after falling approximately 30 feet from a waterfall at a popular tourist attraction.
Liam sustained multiple serious injuries, including a shattered skull, broken facial bones and severe open wounds to his left leg, as well as a broken femur.
He underwent a number of major surgical procedures in Thailand before doctors deemed him fit enough to return to the UK, where further surgery would be required to help him regain mobility and begin his recovery.
While Liam was still hospitalised in Thailand, his regiment sought financial assistance from the ABF. His insurance policy covered £50,000 of medical expenses, but the total costs exceeded £100,000. Without the outstanding bills being settled and repatriation arrangements being made, Liam would have been unable to return home.
Recalling this difficult period, Liam says: “I went through a dark period in hospital. I was wondering what was going to happen and just wanted to come home. Family came out to visit and stay with me. I knew I had many injuries, so to have that silver lining when someone came into my hospital room and said it looked like my return home was being sorted was incredible.”
In June 2025, the ABF has awarded a grant of £15,960 towards repatriation costs to the UK and accommodation for his family while Liam underwent rehabilitation.
Liam says: “The relief I felt knowing this funding would help bring me home was immense. I now want to give something back to the Army.”
Liam says: “If I was in any other job outside the military, I don’t think I would have received the support I needed to get back home to the UK.”
Since returning home, Liam has undergone further surgery on his femur and leg as he continues his recovery. He is currently undertaking a return-to-work programme with 5 Regiment Royal Artillery in Catterick, North Yorkshire.
Although he remains medically non-deployable at present, Liam is positive about the future and determined to make a full recovery and continue his Army career.
Liam says: “I would like to thank everyone for their support during a very difficult period in my life. It meant so much to me, my family, and Lucy.”