SALISBURY’S Gary Prout was “overwhelmed” after capturing a gold and silver medal in archery at the inaugural Invictus Games in London.

The 32-year-old tore his right shoulder in Afghanistan in 2009 and also suffered a severe leg break while training recruits in Scotland last year, developing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in his right limb.

The Royal Artillery Bombadier, who was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross in 2010, was able to take up archery again through Battle Back, a UK military initiative funded by Help for Heroes, having previously represented the Northern Ireland senior team as a 14-year-old.

Prout was named as the British Armed Forces Archery captain for the Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover and championed by Prince Harry.

And he excelled in the role by claiming silver in the mixed individual recurve open behind former training partner David Hubber, before winning gold alongside Hubber and Gavin Watson in the team event.

“It’s pretty overwhelming – I thought it was gone but I’m back in the sport now and shooting on a big stage,” said Prout.

“You just cannot prepare for the noise of the crowd. I’ve had a lot of experience but not in this kind of head-to-head competition.

“All credit to Dave as he was so steady and consistent the whole way through the final. I needed to shoot out of my socks to beat him but sadly I didn’t.

“It’s slightly bittersweet as I lost in the final but we still had a one-two-three and won the team event and, as I’m team captain, that was absolutely phenomenal."

The Invictus Games are an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel, with more than 400 competitors from 13 nations taking part in nine sports across four days in London.

And Prout was not the only Salisbury resident to taste success at the Games with fellow archery captain Andrew Phillips winning gold in the mixed team compound open.

The former RAF junior technician, who was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc causing extensive nerve damage after returning from the first Gulf War, took the final high-pressure shot to secure the medal.

He said: “Taking the final shot was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done because of what was at stake.”