Private Leon 'Willy' Wilson, was dubbed '"the luckiest man in the British Army" after the bullet passed just centimetres from his skull.

The 32-year-old member of the 2nd Batallion the Merciant was involved in a battle with Taliban insurgents in the village of Knowshhal Kalay, to the west of the capital Helmand.

He explained: "I got engaged by an enemy machine gun. Someone popped a smoke grenade to show the Apaches where we were. As the smoke billowed out the shot hit me in the head."

He had been hit in the head by a 7.62mm bullet, which passed in one side of his helmet, travelled around the armoured shell, and out the other side about 4 inches away, the impact of which threw him on his back.

Pte Wilson, who is normally an electrician, said: "I was knocked clean off my position and landed on my back; I had my eyes shut. The medic was looking queasy – I don't think anyone wanted to take my helmet off."

With the compound under enemy fire, Private Wilson was helped off the roof by his fellow soldiers.

But amazingly he went back into battle just under an hour later.

Pte Wilson said: "It shook me up but there is not much else you can do but get on with the job you are out here to do."

The father-of-three, who now lives in Bolton, made national headlines after his lucky escape.

He was praised for his bravery by his commanding officers.

Captain Steve Anning, Adjuntant of 2 Mercian, said: "Our British soldiers have to set an example in every way, because the Afghan soldiers learn by imitating them. Private Wilson's determination to get up and get on with the job is exactly that sort of example."