INSET: Cyril Scott wears his medals with pride. Echo picture by Malcolm Nethersole. Order no: rad482cc

Today Hampshire Heritage is devoted to the memories of a remarkable old soldier. Keith Hamilton met the Hampshire pensioner they call the Tin Man...

How 81-year-old Cyril Scott from Totton earned his nickname 'The Tin Man' is a story of courage and fortitude typical of an old soldier who fought for king and country.

During the Second World War, Cyril was badly injured by a mine blast and for more than 60 years he was totally unaware that embedded in his foot, leg and even his head were pieces of shrapnel from the explosion.

"It was only when I had to go to hospital and was given a body scan they found the bits of metal,'' said Cyril.

Born in Laundry Road, Shirley Warren, Southamp-ton, Cyril left school at 14 and just a few years later in 1940 he was in the ranks of the Hampshire Regiment.

After completing his training and doing a stint of guard duty at Middle Wallop, Cyril, together with his chums Bob Solman from Eastleigh and Charlie Shergold of Portsmouth, was ordered to join a troop-ship leaving the docks and heading for what he thought was to be the Middle East.

"We were issued with shorts and one of those pith helmets each but it turned out that was only to fool any enemy spies that might have been watching us going on the troopship,'' said Cyril.

"Once we had put our hammocks up we were told that our destination was in fact North Africa, where we soon saw action driving the Germans back. Then we were on another ship and this time the destination was Sicily.

"As soon as we were ashore we quickly found ourselves in the middle of some heavy fighting. Not long afterwards I had to go into hospital because I became ill with a virus, and when I came out the Hampshires had moved on, so I was put in the Fusiliers.''

At one point Cyril and the rest of the troops had to take a hill, but as they advanced explosions could be heard in the distance.

"I said to an officer that I thought that the explosions were mines being detonated but he said: 'Don't be silly Scott, the Royal Engineers have cleared the area,' so we were ordered forward,'' said Cyril, a member of the Italy Star Association.

"Soon, like I thought, we were in a minefield and many of my comrades lost their lives. Everything was going up in the air, including me, and I was badly injured in the back.

"I was taken back to a field hospital, where I was kept in for a couple of months, but I wanted to get out and be with my mates as I knew we were about to attack Monte Cassino.

"When finally I returned they told me: 'We are glad to see you but you are a mug as we are going into battle.'''

Cyril, who was then aged 20, advanced through Italy, until the day came when he was demobbed and returned to his job as an upholsterer in Southampton.

A few years ago his old war wound became painful and Cyril had to be examined at Southampton General Hospital.

"When they put me through the scanner all the bells and alarms started ringing and they pulled me out quickly,'' said Cyril. "It was then they discovered the shrapnel. As I didn't know I even had it in me, they decided to leave it alone.''

In a few weeks' time Cyril is returning to Italy to visit again the places where he fought and the graves of the friends he left behind.

"When I joined up in the Hampshires there were 32 in our platoon but when the war ended just three of us remained alive - Bob, Charlie and myself,'' said Cyril.

"The three of us were inseparable but Bob and Charlie died last year and now there is only me left. I've got a photo but I really do miss my mates.''