RAF trooper sues for £100k claiming noise left him deaf

An elite RAF trooper left so deafened by incredibly noisy” aircraft and gunfire that his friends and family accuse him of ignoring them is suing for up to 100,000.

- NEVILE AYLING

Alastair Bidwell, 55, served for 12 years in the RAF Regiment – a unit tasked with defending air bases, supporting special forces and providing forward air control and ground combat support.

The regiment, nicknamed the “Rock Apes”, was formed during the Second World War to prevent attacks by German paratroopers. Celebrated former RAF troopers include football legend Brian Clough and actor Brian Blessed.

Mr Bidwell, now a plastering and project manager, left the services in 2000 after years spent training with “incredibly noisy” aircraft and firing thousands of rounds from guns ranging from infantry rifles to heavy machine guns and missiles whilst serving in zones such as the jungles of South America, Bosnia and Kuwait.

He is now suing the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for tinnitus and hearing loss so bad “it appears as though he is ignoring his family and friends when he cannot hear them properly”.

He is claiming up to £100,000 compensation on the basis that military bosses should have been aware of the need to limit noise exposure, including by providing adequate ear protection, and should also have given warnings about the potential hazards.