Written by: Jack Thompson

Frank Gardner is a renowned British journalist, author, and retired British Army Reserve officer, best known as the BBC's Security Correspondent. Since the September 11 attacks on New York, he has specialized in covering stories related to the War on Terror.

Born on July 31, 1961, Gardner's parents, Robert Neil Gardner and Evelyn Grace Rolleston, were both diplomats. At the age of six, he moved from the UK to the Hague in the Netherlands with his family. He was later educated at Saint Ronans School and Marlborough College.

Gardner's interest in Arabic language and culture was sparked by his meeting with the Arabian explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger when he was 16. This led him to study Arabic, which he believed would make him employable in the Middle East.

Gardner joined BBC World as a producer and reporter in 1995 and became the BBC's first full-time Gulf correspondent in 1997. He was later appointed as the BBC Middle East correspondent in 1999.

On June 6, 2004, Gardner's life took a dramatic turn when he was seriously injured in an al-Qaeda attack while reporting from AlSuwaidi, a district of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The attack left him partially paralyzed in the legs. Despite this, he made a remarkable recovery and returned to reporting for the BBC in mid-2005, using a wheelchair or a frame.

In addition to his journalism career, Gardner has written two non-fiction works and a series of novels featuring the fictional SBS officer-turned-MI6 operative Luke Carlton. His writing career is a testament to his resilience and determination.

• In 2004, Gardner was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to journalism.
• In 2005, he was appointed as a security correspondent for the BBC.
• Gardner has received several awards for his journalism, including the Prix Bayeux-Calvados award for war correspondence.

Gardner's experiences have given him a unique perspective on the War on Terror and the Middle East. He has spoken publicly about the need for greater understanding and dialogue between different cultures and religions.

Gardner's courage and determination in the face of adversity have inspired many. His reporting has shed light on some of the most pressing issues of our time, and his writing has contributed to a greater understanding of the complexities of the Middle East.

Frank Gardner's story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. Despite the challenges he has faced, he remains committed to his work as a journalist and author, continuing to educate and inform the public about the issues that matter most.