Owen Sheers: The Two Worlds of Charlie F

He taps his head.

Even quicker than that. Pretty much insta-fucking-taneous. Blink-of-an-eye kinda stuff. With a few weeks’ high-definition hallucinations thrown in for free.

The only problem is that when you come back that quick not all of you comes back at once.

He lifts up his stump.

And I don’t mean the fucking obvious either.

Beat.

There was this one time, on Herrick Five. I was out on patrol. Sangin. Some kids came up. They were talking to one of the ANA soldiers. I asked him what they wanted. He said, ‘They want to know where you are from?’ I said, ‘Tell them the other side of the world.’ So he did. But then the terp started laughing. I asked him what was so funny. He said, ‘He told them you were from another world.’

At the time I told the terp to correct him. But now, well, I kinda think he might have had it right the first time round.

Beat.

Before we get any further I can see more than one of you out there are thinking ‘what kind of an accent is that for a Royal Marine anyway?’ Well, I’ll tell you, my friends. Canadian, that’s what, and don’t you fucking forget it. Or the Fijians, the Trinidadians, the Gambians, the Gurkhas. Oh yeah, thanks to your over-industrious forebears we’re all in this Afghan shit together, all us citizens of the Commonwealth.

And now, for the brief time we have together, so are you. So, shall we get started?

He throws a wide smile.

Let’s go on a tour.

SCENE TWO — HISTORIES

Charlie stands to attention.

CharliePO56085M.

Cpl Charlie Fowler.

Aged twenty-six. B company 22 commando.

Injured in Nad Ali North September 23rd 2011.

I was on a Section assault on a compound when a western flank stepped on an IED. Op was successful. Medevaced from the area to Bastion and then to Selly Oak Hospital, UK. After three weeks in a medically induced coma, I spent four weeks at QE, then straight to Headley Court.

Halfway through his speech Charlie is joined on stage by Leroy, who also begins reciting his history as Charlie continues his at a lower volume. This pattern is repeated with each soldier entering earlier and earlier in the previous soldier’s speech until the stage is filled with wounded soldiers reciting their histories.

Leroy25080678.

Rifleman Leroy Jenkins.

Aged twenty.

4th Batt, The Rifles.

Injured on 26th July 2009, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Both legs blown off in an IED strike, medevaced back to the UK.

Recovery in Selly Oak Hospital Birmingham for eight weeks. Rehab at Headley Court for a year. Awaiting medical discharge at Tedworth House.

Daniel542711.

Major Daniel Thomas.

Aged thirty-seven.

2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh.

Injured by IED strike while commanding a company on 4th July 2009 in Babaji, Afghanistan.

Medevaced to Bastion, Khandahar, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

Discharged after six weeks.

Spent seven months in Headley Court for Brain Rehabilitation. Awaiting medical discharge.

Richard25223563.

SPR Richard Booth.

Aged twenty.

9 Parachute Squadron RE.

Injured on 19th July 2008 PB Armagh, Sangin, Helmand Province. Taliban ambush on a vector rescue op. IED blast to rear of Wimik — blown sixty feet into Taliban firing point. QRF on Quadbike taken back to FOB Jackson, Sangin. Medevaced to Camp Bastion, then Queen Elizabeth and Selly Oak.

Broken back four places, broken leg/arm, shattered heel, shrapnel legs, thigh, groin, lung contusion, head injury, ten-week strict bed rest. Told would never walk again, wheelchair bound, intensive rehab. After treatment returned to front line September 2010 but forced to return after nine months due to previous injuries. Awaiting spinal surgery and rehabilitation.

Frankpo63793g.

Cpl Frank Taylor.

Aged twenty-five.

SFSG.

Injured on 1st February 2007 in Helmand Province.

Hit by RPG blast as storming Taliban compound. Medevaced via Black Hawk to Kandahar for initial treatment. Once stabilised flew back to Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham. After six weeks began recovering physically but mentally struggling. Currently seeing psychologists in an establishment in Berkshire.

Roger25886967.

Cpl Roger Smith.

B Company.

Aged thirty-seven.

2PWRR.

Injured on 26th August 2008 in Nad Ali, Afghanistan. I was commanding a Snatch three hundred metres short of jab when the vehicle hit an IED. I was blown clear of the vehicle, landing on my right shoulder and neck. Medevaced to Bastion. I had prolapsed discs at C5 and C7 in my upper spine and a dislocated shoulder. Medevaced back to UK. Sent to Selly Oak Hospital. Birmingham where discs at C6 and C7 were replaced. Presently undergoing rehab at Headley Court.

Dave25031076.

Sgt Dean Barker.

Aged thirty-seven.

26 Engineer Regiment 8 Squadron.

Injured on 15th June 2007. I was driving in convoy in the lower Sangin Valley when my Pinzgauer hit an IED. I was thrown from the vehicle, sustaining two broken ankles and a damaged lower back. Medevaced from blast area to Camp Bastion. Flown to UK to Selly Oak Hospital. Sent back to regiment with ongoing physio. Awaiting below-knee amputation of right leg and reconstruction of left ankle. Also receiving treatment for PTSD. Discharge date, 11th April 2012.

Darren25051100.

Bombardier Daz Sobey.

Aged thirty-four.

26th Regiment, Royal Artillery.

Injured on April 2007 on Salisbury Plain whilst commanding 105mm artillery light gun. Gun crew accidently crushed me bringing gun into action. Spinal damage and losing use of left arm. Had spinal surgery but remain in chronic pain and reliant on strong medication. Awaiting medical discharge.

Chris25234412.

Lance Cpl Chris Brown.

Aged twenty-one.

1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards

Injured on 8th October 2009 on patrol near Sangin. An IED strike blew off my left leg. Medevaced to Camp Bastion and then to Selly Oak, Birmingham. Severe spinal and nerve damage. In Selly Oak for four months then Headley Court to begin rehab. Awaiting further ops.

Ali24892357.

Sgt Ali Briggs.

Aged thirty-six.

12 Rgt, RA.

Injured on 17th Jan 2008 on Herrick 7 when a mortar round landed in my forward operating base. Shrapnel in my legs, mainly right knee. Medevaced to Bastion where initially treated, then flown back to Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham. Transferred to Headley Court for intensive rehab. Awaiting elective below-knee amputation.

Marc25163768.

Cpl Marc Anderson.

Aged twenty-four.

Royal Engineers.

Injured on 28th January 2008 in Basra, Iraq, by an IED strike. Suffered blast wounds and burns. Ongoing psychological symptoms so flown back to UK. Currently seeing CPN at Watson House RAF Leuchars. Awaiting discharge.

SimiW1042163.

Lance Cpl Simi Yeats.

Aged thirty-eight.

Injured 16 June 2010. Damage to left knee. Realignment of left leg at Frimley Park Hospital. Undergoing physio and rehabilitation at Headley Court, pending Army career outcome.

Becky555557.

Capt Becky Robinson.

Aged thirty-four.

AGC (SPS).

Injured by a mine strike to my vehicle in Iraq, 23rd October 2005. Left leg badly broken. Medevaced from Shaibah Field Hospital to the UK. Five years reconstructive surgery. Rehab failed, lost function of foot and suffered chronic neuropathic pain. Leg amputated in June 2011. Rehab at Headley Court for six months. Awaiting medical discharge.

John25014876.