A Brecon man who rebuilt his life after a career-ending injury and went on to inspire thousands of Army recruits has been awarded an MBE in The King's Birthday Honours.

Gwynne Walker, 40, from Brecon, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to military training and sport.

The former soldier served for 16 years in the Army before being medically discharged after developing osteoarthritis in both hips, a life-changing diagnosis that led to significant physical and mental health challenges.

Speaking after learning of the honour, Mr Walker told the Brecon & Radnor Express: "It still hasn't fully sunk in yet and I'm still unsure of how it has happened. I'm very grateful and hugely humbled by the honour but it wasn't something I had ever thought I could achieve."

Following his medical discharge, Mr Walker joined the Invictus programme and represented Team UK at the Invictus Games in The Hague in 2022, winning a bronze medal in wheelchair basketball.

Reflecting on the difficult transition out of military life, he said: "The adjustment leaving the military was one of the hardest times of mine and my family's life. Being a soldier was not only my career but also my identity.

"Leaving on a medical discharge was incredibly tough as I wasn't sure what my life looked like being disabled and how to provide for my family. Losing my identity was the hardest part and reinventing myself as something else."

Mr Walker credits the Invictus programme with playing a pivotal role in his recovery.

"The Invictus programme is still one of the biggest catalysts in my recovery journey outside of my family," he said.

"For people who didn't know me to see a quality in me that I couldn't see myself and select me for a team based on that was a real lightbulb moment and helped me to start the process of recovery."

Since 2020, he has worked in a Civil Service role delivering Adventurous Training to Army recruits undertaking basic training. His work has helped more than 12,000 recruits develop resilience, teamwork and leadership skills.

"Still being loosely part of the military is a huge bonus for me as I get to be in the environment I loved as a soldier," he said.

"Lately we have had some training regiment staff come through who I took through their initial training. To see them still striving for success with the standards I set for them is inspiring.

"Having a positive mindset around the recruits when they know my story hopefully instils some resilience in them that they can use in their own military career."

Away from his work, Mr Walker continues to compete in wheelchair basketball and is heavily involved in coaching at club and international level.

He plays for Cardiff Met Archers and coaches a number of teams, including Wales Under-14s and the Wales senior side. He also serves as Wheelchair Basketball Ambassador for Police UK Disability Sports.

"I credit wheelchair basketball with being one of the main things that changed my life," he said.

"Once I became injured, I thought I had lost team sports, something that I have always played, and not being part of a team is one thing that really affected my mental health.

"I want to give as much back to the sport that gave me my life back and hopefully inspire the next generation to do the same."

Mr Walker said the honour belonged not only to him, but to the people who supported him through the most difficult periods of his life.

“As you can imagine there are lots and lots of people who deserve as much recognition for this honour as I do,” he said.

He paid particular tribute to his wife Louise and daughter Scarlett.

"My wife Louise and my daughter Scarlett have always been by my side and never complained when I'm away at basketball and often travelling the length of the country," he said.

"My mum has always been there to hype me up and also keep me grounded when often required. My dad and stepmother have given continued support in all I do, and my brother became one of my biggest supporters, travelling to the Invictus Games on his own during Covid and rallying the troops."

He also thanked friends, colleagues and the wider disability sport community.

"All my friends have always supported me and often helped drag me along when things were tough,” he said.

“The Civil Service supported me in my recovery and my sporting adventures.  My whole Invictus family - who there are too many to mention - but as always Charlie Dye does get a mention as the man that forced me to sign up to the Invictus programme.

“Disability Sport Wales and my Archers family have pushed me not only to be a better player and coach but also a better person.

“Lastly, anyone who I have met on this journey who has had an impact on me, I truly have been blessed with experiences, friendships, and relationships and this honour is much your as it is mine.”

Mr Walker is one of 84 people from Wales recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours List.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “Congratulations to the list of incredible people from right across Wales who have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.

“They have been commended for their contributions to their communities, to sport, to charity, the arts and to improving the lives of others - often giving their time and effort for free.

“The work of these inspirational individuals has a huge impact across Wales and I thank each and every one of them for their valuable contributions to Welsh society.”