DAVE Rayner was driving his digger when a rocket exploded on a nearby rooftop .
The blast shattered all the windows in his JCB, and left shrapnel embedded inches from his head.
Dave, 23, of Yews Avenue, Bank End, was serving as a sapper with the 36 Royal Engineers in Afghanistan. He escaped with cuts and bruises, but one of his friends was injured and had to be sent home.
"We found the tail fin from the rocket later and posted it back to him as a souvenir," says Dave.
Dave has just returned home to a hero's welcome after completing his first six-month tour of duty. His mum, Mandy Rayner, owns the Wilthorpe Hotel, and his family threw a huge party on his return.
