A GOLD medal-winning athlete from Hampshire who lost his legs after stepping on a mine in Afghanistan will receive an MBE.
Captain David Henson of the Royal Engineers, originally from Southampton, was Britain's team captain in Prince Harry's Invictus Games and was lucky enough to join the prince for a pint at the end of the competition.
Captain Henson, 29, was a prominent figure in the lead-up to the games and sprinted to gold in the 200m ambulant IT2 final with a 28-second time.
He suffered his leg injuries after standing on an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province in February 2011 He was flown back to the UK and underwent a series of operations followed by an extended rehabilitation programme, but was fitted with a pair of artificial legs and was back walking within eight months.
Speaking to the Daily Echo after the competition he said: “I am so proud of the team - they are such a different bunch of guys to the team that formed six months ago.
“They are amazing and the crowd has been fantastic.”
He also competed in the sitting volleyball and 100m events during the competition, which featured more than 300 wounded, injured and sick service personnel.
During the Invictus Game Prince Harry said: “On the birthday side of things, I'll be chuffed to bits when I'm having a beer with Dave Henson, captain of the GB team - we turn 30 at exactly the same time.”
Teenage cancer hero Stephen Sutton will also receive a posthumous MBE from the Queen, which will be collected by his mum Jane.
Stephen, 19, was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 15 and raised more than £5m for charity, becoming a household name in the process.
Despite suffering from the illness the Staffordshire teenager managed to go skydiving and play the drums at a Wembley cup final.
Captain Michael Kennedy, also of the Royal Engineers, will be given the queen's Gallantry Medal after he risked his life to defuse a bomb that was within minutes of being detonated by insurgents.
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