Brain-damaged soldier receives 'insulting' compensation of one quarter the government maximum

Sarah Edwards said the £114,000 payout would make it a huge struggle to provide for Lance Corporal Martin Edwards, who will require life long care, and their young son.

The cash was less than a quarter of the maximum £500,000 civilians injured in crimes or accidents would be entitled to under a government scheme.

Her criticism follows an outcry over the meagre compensation awarded to soldiers who have been severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

L-Cpl Edwards, a 25-year-old sniper, suffered head and brain injuries from a bomb last year only weeks before finishing a third tour of duty in Iraq.

Mrs Edwards, 23, said her husband had been ready to 'sacrifice everything' for his country.

'Martin and others like him are being forgotten,' she said.

'He may be physically fine, but his mind will never be the same.

'People are going out there and are giving everything for their country.

'When somebody dies, quite rightly it is news. Everybody knows about it.

'But we feel we are very much brushed under the carpet.

'I feel that there is a responsibility to recognise the sacrifices he made, and I don't think they have done that.'

She said there was very little known about troops in Headley Court, the military rehabilitation complex in Surrey, who have lost their legs or who have brain damage.

Doctors have told her that her husband will need life-long care, making it very difficult for Mrs Edwards to provide for him and their 20-month-old son, Phoenix.

Frances Hoy, spokeswoman for the Royal British Legion, said the case was another example of a government breaking its 'moral commitment to support the armed forces and their families when they need it most'.

Liam Fox, Conservative defence spokesman, said the compensation level for L-Cpl Edwards 'raises serious questions of natural justice'.

'How we treat the injured members of our armed forces is a measure of the moral values prevalent in our society,' he said.

Ministers have promised a review of the way the most severely wounded troops are compensated, but it is expected to only cover those with multiple injuries.

There is unlikely to be a change for those like L-Cpl Edwards who have suffered what are classed as 'single' injuries, even if they leave a soldier with a lifetime disability.