Wounded Liverpool soldier fights back against Taliban in Afghanistan
Jul 8 2009 by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo

A LIVERPOOL teenager was today hailed a hero for shooting a Taliban fighter ? moments after a bullet blasted a hole in his own shoulder.

Private Anthony Myers was hit by a high velocity bullet, which missed his heart by six inches, as he battled Afghan forces on the front line.

As he lay bleeding in a tent the 19-year-old from Speke spotted two approaching armed Talibans.

Despite his injuries he sprang up and shot one of them ? saving his life and that of his colleague.

Anthony was today dubbed an inspiration by army bosses impressed by his amazing act of bravery.

A member of the TA it was the first time Anthony had been on the front line.



It appears the teenager had also forgot to tell his parents he would be going to war.

As dad Anthony and mum Susan watched footage of their son receiving emergency treatment they admitted feeling ?physically sick?.

Dad Anthony told the ECHO: ?We just thought he wouldn?t be up to much, driving a vehicle or on guard duty at a secure base.

?We never thought he?d be on the front line. When he rang us after his operation we were just in shock.?

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Anthony went out to Helmand Province this summer after finishing his A-Levels at Sts Peter and Paul Catholic High School, in Widnes.

About a week ago he was caught up in a fierce fire fight with insurgents with his 4 Mercian TA troupe.

During the shoot-out the teenager was hit straight through the muscle narrowly missing the biracial artery.