Tom Davis-Lawlor, 19, of Bracken Hill, Barrowcliff, was on foot patrol in Basharan, in Helmand Province, when the blast happened.

Tom who is in the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was flown to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham where he is recovering.

His mum Josie Mitchell, 45, told the Evening News: "We are so proud of him. We all call him a hero but he keeps telling us that he isn't. He just keeps saying that he could have come home in a box, but instead he is in a bed and he is very grateful for that. He is upbeat at the moment. We are all just trying to stay strong for him."

Mrs Mitchell recalled the moment she found out her son had been injured. She said: "I was at work at the Castle Sports Club, in Castle Road, when I got the call. It was from someone in the army so I knew it was bad news. I just said to him 'please don't tell me my son is dead.'
"He told me he was badly injured. I was devastated. It is a phone call so many mothers and wives dread."

Tom was a pupil at Barrowcliff Junior School followed by Raincliffe School. He briefly worked at the Golden Grid restaurant. He joined the army in 2008 and first went to Afghanistan in September last year. He returned home for two weeks in December before heading back to Afghanistan.

Mrs Mitchell said: "At the moment he is just happy to be alive. He is being well looked after at Selly Oak and he wants to thank all the medical teams
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"He also wants to thank his colleagues in his team who acted so quick when it happened. He says he would not be here if it wasn't for them.

"He keeps saying that these things happen in life. When I rang him to ask if he wanted me to bring him anything to hospital, he said 'some socks would be good'. That is just his sense of humour."

Tom's brothers and sisters, Dale, 18, Fern, 12, Jack, eight, and Bethany, four, all visited him in hospital. His father Tom is with him in Birmingham as well as his girlfriend Annie Mcmahon.

Dale said: "I was gutted when I found out what had happened. He is 19 and has his full life ahead of him. I don't think it has sunk in yet. He is so brave and I am very proud of him. We have to keep strong for him."

Tom, who is a life-long Liverpool Football Club fan, is expected to stay in hospital for two to three months.

Mrs Mitchell said: "We can't wait to have him back in Scarborough. He has had so much support from friends and family who have sent their best wishes to him."

How to help soldier Tom

If you would like to help Tom financially please contact Cllr Bill Chatt on 07952017290 or email cllr.bill.chatt@scarborough.gov.uk

I you would like to send a message to Tom or his family send it to sophie.barley@yrnltd.com