Hero Kuku, 24, wounded
By JOHN KAY
and TOM NEWTON DUNN
June 21, 2007
Injured ... Guards officer Folarin
The first black officer in the Grenadier Guards has been seriously wounded in southern Afghanistan.
Second Lieutenant Folarin Kuku, 24 -- a polo playing pal of Prince William -- suffered shrapnel wounds to his arms and leg from a Taliban grenade.
Lt Kuku, whose mum is a Nigerian chief, was leading a routine foot patrol in Helmand province when the fanatics ambushed them on Tuesday morning.
He was rushed from hot-spot town Gereshk by chopper to a field hospital at British HQ Camp Bastion.
Once he is stable, he will be flown back to the UK for expert treatment.
Lt Koku trained with Prince William at Sandhurst and joined the elite 350-year-old regiment six months ago.
The Harrow-educated officer won national fame after his appointment was revealed by The Sun. He is the only black officer in the entire Guards division -- which includes the Scots, Irish, Welsh and Coldstreams.
An MoD spokeswoman said last night: "We can confirm that a soldier was seriously injured on a foot patrol."
