Samantha Bowen

25 year-old Samantha served as a Gnr in the Royal Artillery between 2003 and 2008.  Whilst on a tour of Iraq in 2006 mortar fire left her badly injured with shrapnel in her leg and a shattered ankle. She spent 11 months in Selly Oak Hospital recovering and has had scores of operations on her leg.  She will most probably face amputation in the near future. She was medically discharged and entitled to compensation from the MoD.  The Legion represented her in her appeal and she was eventually awarded a much higher tariff. 

More recently, the Legion has helped her to move house and provided white goods as well as carrying out some essential home adaptations to allow for easier living conditions. 

"As well as helping me physically move into my new place and helping get my compensation increased, the Legion's staff and volunteers really get how to interact with ex-military personnel and make a real effort to continue that communication.

"I needed emotional support once I'd left the Army, and I found the Legion supported me when no-one else could in quite the same way."

Video interview with Samantha

In the video below, Samantha talks about how the Legion has helped her. This video and many others are available on our YouTube channel.