ON the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War, a former soldier from Redditch wounded in action near Port Stanley has looked back on the conflict.

Gary Steele, 46, of Alcester, feels lucky to have escaped the mental health problems which have affected so many other veterans who fought the Argentinians over the South Atlantic islands.

"One of the problems when you read about ex-soliders is that it's quite depressing. Many have mental health problems and illness.

"Some of my friends have serious mental health problems and lots have killed themselves," he said.

"It reflects the state of mental health care in those days. People didn't understand the effects of war. Fortunately, I've never had any serious issues.

"The army was never going to be the only thing I did, I always wanted to do other things, although you do live in the shadow of that pretty momentous event."

Since leaving the Army in 1984, father of three Mr Steele has worked in a variety of jobs and is now an IT manager for Serco near Wythall.

The former Bridley Moor High School pupil gained a BSc in computer science from the Open University and an MBA from the Open Business School and is featured in the OU's new prospectus.

His wife Anne said her husband was an example to the Redditch and Alcester soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan of someone who had used his experiences to spur him on to some impressive achievements.

Mr Steele was sent to the Falklands in 1982 as a Private in the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment.

"It feels like a long time ago but it is also something I remember very clearly," he said.

He was hit by shrapnel in the back and leg when he was blown up during the battle for Wireless Ridge after fighting alongside Colonel H Jones during the battle for Goose Green. The officer was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

He was taken to the hospital ship Uganda for surgery before being shipped home and his story was reported in the Redditch Indicator.

As part of the official Falklands anniversary celebrations, Mr Steele will march down Horse Guards Parade in London on June 17 watched by his parents.