Lamin Manneh – British soldier

Photography by Yasmin Carter

Words by Harry Potts

Lamin Manneh is a British soldier who in 2010 lost both legs and one arm in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) he triggered during a patrol in Afghanistan.

Born in Gambia in 1977, the former Irish Guard moved into a specially-adapted house with his wife and five children in the ‘Veterans’ Village’ in Newton Heath, Manchester. Featured on the BBC’s DIY SOS, the project was the programme’s biggest ever challenge, famously enlisting the help of Princes William and Harry.

27285820744_bf9e6dce43_k — Lamin Manneh, British Army veteran

Before he moved into his new home, Lamin struggled to get up the stairs to read his children a bedtime story and felt cut off from the rest of his family. Now his specially adapted house allows him access to move around freely.

“There are not many people who can say the future King of England helped decorate their lounge”.

Lamin Manneh

27821783371_17569d6207_k — Proud to call Manchester his home

Lamin & Royals — Lamin chatting to Princes William and Harry during DIY SOS (Photo – BBC)

Lamin in 2016, represented Great Britain at the Invictis games in the USA, winning a bronze medal in the shot put.

Lamin- Invictis — Lamin competing at the 2016 Invictis games (photo – British Army)

“Working with Lemin was in incredible experience, it taught me the importance of making sure you get to know your sitter before taking their photos. Making sure they are comfortable in the studio setting is essential, even if it means telling a silly joke to get the specific reaction you require. It’s important to be confident so your subject will have confidence in you. From this one shoot with Lamin, I have learned the invaluable lesson to be relaxed around the people I’m photographing, something I have taken forward in all my photographic work.”

Yasmin Carter