A MODEST soldier who lost both legs in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan refused to meet Prince Charles – claiming he did not deserve the recognition.

Ashley-James Hall, 20, asked nurses to pull the curtains around his bed when royalty visited his hospital ward because he said he was “just doing his job”.

His father, Stephen, revealed the injured sapper – who also suffered retina damage, lower spinal injuries, a severely fractured pelvis, and lost the tips of three fingers and his thumb in the blast in July – said he did not want a fuss.

Mr Hall, 43, from Stratford St Mary, said: “It was about two weeks ago when Prince Charles visited.

“Ashley asked the nurse to pull the curtains around his bed. He is the type of person who, if asked about what happened, would say ‘I was just doing my job’.

“He knew what the risks were and he was doing a job he loved doing. He just didn’t want a fuss. He is just very modest.

“Ashley is the type of person who if somebody turns around and asks for a volunteer he will say ‘I’ll do it’.”

Former Colchester Institute student Ashley joined the army at 17, becoming a member of 20 Field Squadron, 36 Royal Engineer regiment and was on his first tour of Afghanistan when he was hit in the blast on July 9.

He was part of an advanced search team going ahead of the troops looking for roadside bombs in Helmand Province.

Mr Hall, a lorry driver, said: “Their job is an advanced search team, in front of the rest of the group. They are literally the front of the frontline and every footstep they are taking their lives into their hands.”

Since the blast, Ashley has been in surgery 15 times and had 16 pints of blood since arriving back in England.

He is being treated at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, where he is regularly visited by his fater, mother Cheryl, 43, and brothers Matthew, 18, Luke, 17, and Nathaniel, 10. His family and friends are setting up the Invicta Foundation to raise money to initially buy and kit out a home where disabled soldiers, injured on duty, can stay with family when they leave hospital or for a holiday.

Mr Hall said: “It is called Invicta after the barracks where he is based in Maidstone, Kent, and because in Latin it means unvanquished – unbeaten in battle. That says it all, really.” Speaking about the bravery of his son, he added: “Emotionally he is fine. He is doing really well.

“He is very chirpy, laughing and joking with the nurses. But he does have his down days.”

Ashley’s family and friends are organising fundraising events to raise money for the foundation.