Soldier's Dad Forgives Taliban

The father of a soldier who had both legs blown off in Afghanistan has penned a message to the Taliban who injured his son telling them they are forgiven.

Sapper James Wilson, 29, from Lymington, was seriously injured on Wednesday October the 5th 2011 as he tackled the bomb.

The Royal Engineer, known as Jimmer, was airlifted to Camp Bastion and is recovering in Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham. He has lost his right leg below the knee and the left above the knee.

His father Ian, 56, told the Lymington Times he was proud of his son but was not angry at those who had maimed him.

He said:

''I have sent a message to the Taliban. I have no axe to grind. Jim knew what he was going into. I forgive them for what they have done.''

He said the message would be written on a card by a translator and left at the location where James was blown up.

It is the second tragedy to befall the family as Sapper Wilson's older brother Stuart, 19, was killed Serving in Bosnia with the army in 1997 when his 38-ton fuel tanker fell down a ravine trying to avoid a collision.

''James was trying to save lives as well. He was doing what he did as he did not want people to be travelling on the London Underground with the fear of being blown up,'' he added.

''He is tremendously big and he has got a sharp mind on him and he will overcome this.''