Army veteran MP to undergo surgery on historic gunshot injury

South Shropshire Conservative MP, Stuart Anderson, was today - January 7 - scheduled to receive treatment on the injury. 

At the age of just 17 he suffered a high velocity gunshot wound to the foot during a live firing attack, which shattered his foot.

Mr Anderson was subsequently advised that his foot would require amputation, and that he would never walk again without the aid of a walking stick.

After 10 months of gruelling rehabilitation, he returned to full active duty to serve on multiple operational tours including in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and Kosovo.

Mr Anderson said he wanted to use the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the ongoing impact that serving in the Armed Forces has on many veterans’ daily lives - on both physical and mental levels.

Shropshire is home to more than 4,000 veterans, representing almost one in ten households across the county.

Although it could take months to fully recover from the surgery, Mr Anderson has vowed to continue to be a strong voice for local people during this time.

He said that even though he may be away from Parliament for a while, he has a full programme of meetings and surgery appointments.

Most of these will initially take place online, with a phased return to physical engagements.

Mr Anderson said: “On 7th January, I will be undergoing reconstructive surgery on my foot following historic injuries I sustained during my time in the Armed Forces.

"I suffered a high velocity gunshot wound during a live firing attack at the age of just 17, which shattered my foot and has required treatment ever since.

"I am using this opportunity to highlight the ongoing physical and mental impact that ex-service personnel face in their daily lives.

"As home to some 4,000 veterans, I know many fellow residents in South Shropshire will have had similar experiences. That is why I am so committed to making Shropshire the best place to be a veteran – ensuring it is as easy as possible to access the right support at the right time.

“It is a privilege to serve as MP for an area that means so much to me and my family. Throughout my recovery, I will continue working hard to deliver for the residents of South Shropshire. I will remain the strong voice that the people of South Shropshire deserve so that we can keep building good public services, solving local issues, and securing the funding that our local businesses and farming communities need.”

In April 2024,Mr Anderson launched a veteran’s support navigator on his website, designed to help them locate government support available for them and their loved ones.

The move was part of his pledge to ensure that South Shropshire can become the best place in which to be a veteran.

The support navigator can be found at www.stuartanderson.org.uk/veteran-support.