FORMER IRISH GUARDS SERGEANT SUES MOD OVER HEARING DAMAGE

William Isherwood, a former sergeant in the Irish Guards, is suing the Ministry of Defence for over £75,000, claiming permanent hearing damage sustained during his 16-year military career. Isherwood alleges that inadequate ear protection during training for riot duty in Northern Ireland caused the injury. He states that he was exposed to helicopters, heavy gunfire, rockets and explosions without proper defence. Isherwood left the Army in 1999 and now experiences reduced hearing, persistent tinnitus and heightened sensitivity to certain sounds.

Isherwood joined the Irish Guards in 1983 after basic training at Pirbright in Surrey. He subsequently served in Germany, Belize and Northern Ireland before working as a physical training instructor at Chelsea Barracks. During his service, he was exposed to noise from numerous weapons, including SLR infantry assault rifles, Browning pistols and general purpose machine guns capable of firing up to 1,000 rounds per minute. His legal representatives argue that ear defender plugs issued to recruits were sub-standard and frequently fell out during use, whilst others were not issued at all.

The Ministry of Defence is contesting the claim, asserting that the ear defenders provided were "reasonable and suitable" and that constant enforcement of hearing protection use was not feasible. High Court documents identify Isherwood as now 60 years old and residing in Widnes, Cheshire. The Irish Guards, formed by Queen Victoria in 1900, serve as an elite infantry regiment of the British Army and perform dual roles as front-line combat soldiers and ceremonial guards for the Royal Family.