England Royal Anglian RegimentFor other people named Mark Sutcliffe, see Mark Sutcliffe (disambiguation).

Mark Sutcliffe MBE (born 29 July 1979) was educated at Sawtry Community College before joining the British Army in 1997 aged 17, enlisting into the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment The Poachers, initially joining C (Northamptonshire) Company. In 1999 he also served with the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment part way through their 2-year tour of Londonderry, Northern Ireland. On return Sgt Sutcliffe was selected to join the Close Reconnaissance Platoon (Recce Platoon), over the next 9 years Sgt Sutcliffe served with the Battalion in UK, Cyprus, Jordon, Belize, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Early 2003 2 R ANGLIAN attended RAF Manson MOD Fire Services Central Training Establishment, undertaking the emergency breathing apparatus course lasting six weeks. This led to a deployment to Northern Ireland to provide firefighting cover for the UK firefighter dispute 2002–2003.

In May 2003 2 R ANGLAIN deployed to Afghanistan as part of OP FINGAL securing the capital Kabul and surrounding provinces

In spring 2006 2 R ANGLIAN deployed to Iraq as part of OP TELIC 8 forming Basra City South Battle group. On 18 July 2006, the Recce Platoon were conducting offensive operations around the area of Al-Hadi and 5-mile market within the city confines of Basra. The patrol was initially contacted by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), directly hitting Sgt Sutcliffe on the leg. The blunt trauma was severe, taking his leg off at the point of impact, although, having failed to detonate, continued on its flight path, injuring a young Iraqi child.

Despite m*ive blood loss, Sgt Sutcliffe's life was saved by the quick thinking, bravery and true grit of the patrol commander and the soldiers under his command.

Sgt Sutcliffe (left) standing with prosthetic leg

Sgt Sutcliffe was flown to the British Field Hospital located within Shaibah Logistics Base and underwent immediate surgery, then evacuated by the Tactical Medical Wing (TMW) Royal Air Force to the United Kingdom for further treatment. In November 2006 he took his first steps using a prosthesis whilst posted to DMRC Headley Court.

Sgt Mark Sutcliffe is one of the Hero patrons of Help for Heroes, a member of Blesma and was one of four Military Liaison Officers posted to Selly Oak Hospital, looking after the needs of injured soldiers and their families. Sgt Sutcliffe spent 4 years in this post and was awarded an MBE for his charitable work and as a Military Liaison Officer in the 2012 Queens Birthday Honours List.

Sgt Mark Sutcliffe left the British Army late 2013 and took up the post of General Manager at the disabled children's charity: Reach Out Plus He then joined another disabled children's charity FamiliesUnitedNetwork as their managing director. In 2015 he was appointed as Chief Executive Citizens Advice Beds & District.

An avid veteran leader, disability rights campaigner, in particular veteran disablement as a result of service on operations.

Honours

References

• Soldier On! candidate to start new career!
• Queens Birthday Honours 2012
• Help for Heroes: Patrons
• IRAQ: Soldier loses leg in attack
• Royal Anglian Regiment, 2nd Battalion (Poachers)
• BLESMA
• My Perfect Weekend: Sgt Mark Sutcliffe
• Prince of Wales: why I feel inspired by the courage of injured British servicemen
• Pub lunch boosts soldiers' morale at Selly Oak hospital

External links

• 'I lost my leg in Iraq', NHS Choices
• http://lincolnshire.britishlegion.org.uk/index.cfm?*et_id=1376
• http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafbrizenorton/newsweather/index.cfm?storyid=A826307F-5056-A318-A89CA6B4490C4E91
• http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2008/07/04/city-boost-in-care-of-injured-soldiers-97319-21266056/
• http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article3084783.ece
• http://www.motability.co.uk/main.cfm?type=NIA&Objectid=2594
• https://familiesunitednetwork.org.uk/uncategorized/new-managing-director/
• https://www.bedfordcab.org.uk/staff.html