Pte Cooper's family is to continue to fight the MoD over compensation

Private Jamie Cooper, 19, said he was "proud but tired" after joining thousands of people in a two-minute silence at 1100 GMT.

Pte Cooper has been told he may be a wheelchair user for the rest of his life after shrapnel cut through his stomach during fighting in Iraq.

His father said he had been determined to get out of hospital for the service.

Since his regiment, the Royal Green Jackets, came under mortar attack in Basra in November 2006 Pte Cooper has suffered further setbacks after catching a series of infections at Birmingham's Selly Oak hospital.

We always came here when he was a child, but now he can reflect on his own experiences Phil Cooper

Speaking after the service Phil Cooper, 49, said his son had "turned a corner" and was back on the route to recovery.

Pte Cooper looked on as soldiers from 266 Battery, based at the Artillery Grounds in Whiteladies Road, fired light guns at the start and end of the ceremony.

"It has been a very poignant day for him," said Mr Cooper.

"We always came here when he was a child, but now he can reflect on his own experiences. He was thinking about the friends and colleagues he lost in Iraq."

Mr Cooper added that the family would continue to fight the Ministry of Defence's "paltry" compensation offer of �57,000.