One Step in a Poppy Field: The Inspirational Story of Lance Corporal Cayle Royce MBE

‘A deeply moving and profoundly important account not only of one soldier’s survival, but of optimism, courage, of a dogged determination to succeed whatever it takes, and of the enduring power of love between a mother and her son. The lessons for us all in this book are immeasurably powerful. It offers hope to the many whose lives have been changed forever, directly or indirectly, be that as a result of war, or through accident. I am so very grateful to have read it.’ Major General David Rutherford-Jones CB

‘This is an astonishing true story that no work of fiction could ever match. A brave soldier is blown up by the Taliban, losing both legs, part of his left hand and his lungs are crushed. There is, seemingly, no hope of survival. Except that death hadn’t reckoned on the fortitude and resilience of Cayle Royce, underpinned by the all-embracing love and dedication of his remarkable mother Bronwyn. The book is told by both of them and might be the most moving and joyous account of determination against all odds you will ever read. A triumph of the Human Spirit.’ Alan Frame, Author

‘A story of fortitude and courage from the perspective of both a mother and son. From the depths of despair of a near death experience through to an amazing recovery with a row across the Atlantic as skipper of an all amputee crew of ex servicemen, four guys with three legs between them!’ Brigadier Chris Dick CBE

Thousands of miles away from where her son was deployed, a powerful premonition is devastatingly confirmed by a knock on the door from two faceless strangers bearing the news that her son had stepped on an improvised explosive device in the poppy fields of Afghanistan. He had lost both of his legs and suffered multiple other injuries, including partial amputation of all the fingers of his left hand. For 48 days she stood at his bedside, praying and willing him to pull through.

Not only did he survive against all odds, but in time he began to test the limits of his new capabilities and undertook the first of, what would prove to be, many physical challenges. Just 18 months after injury, and as part of a team of four servicemen, he rowed across the Atlantic Ocean for the first time.

Told mostly from a mother’s perspective with contributions from Cayle, the genesis of the book was in the diary she kept while he was in a medically induced coma. It is the story of an extraordinarily brave man who has been through the agonies of rebuilding his life, with the encouragement of family and friends.

This was never meant to be another book about war or Afghanistan; it is a message of how love and hope can overcome adversity. If even just one reader takes inspiration from this story then … mission accomplished.

© 2025 Pen & Sword Military (Ebook): 9781399057387

Release date

Ebook: 5 August 2025