Photo of Shropshire war hero Ricky Fergusson on show

The black-and-white portrait was used as the cover for Mr Adams' collection of photographs of 40 young British servicemen and women who have suffered life-changing injuries on military duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The £50 book, Wounded: The Legacy of War, was published last November and now 30 of its most striking images have gone on show at Somerset House.

The exhibition, which runs until January, was launched on Tuesday night, Remembrance Day, by Prince Harry. The prince met Mr Adams and many of the servicemen whose images are featured.

Harry, who has served on two tours of duty in Afghanistan, met some of the soldiers who took part in the project, including Sergeant Rick Clement who lost both his legs after he stepped on an IED during patrol in Afghanistan in 2010.

The 34-year-old soldier wore his smart red, black and white Mess Dress for the shoot with Adams, and Harry told him it: "You must be really proud of that, it's a strong photo."

The exhibition opened to the public yesterday.

Proceeds from sales of the book will go to veteran support charities.

However, Corporal Fergusson, 28, of Telford, who lost who lost both legs, an eye, and fingers on both hands in a blast in Afghanistan in January 2010, did not attend the opening night event.

In a speech at the reception, Mr Adams said: "Looking around the rooms, you will see the aftermath of war. So many of our soldiers came back and so many didn't."

He went on: "This book and this exhibition was six years in the making and what was fascinating but also uplifting was hearing the stories of the servicemen and women.

"Most of us will not know what it's like to feel the harsh reality of returning home from one battle only to discover that another battle awaits – rehabilitation."

The singer added: "Today is Armistice Day when we bow our heads to the fallen. But it's also very important that we remember the living, particularly the wounded. "

Sgt Clement, from Blackpool, said: "It really is a fantastic project to be involved with. It shows the harshness of the injuries but also how the guys and the woman that was involved have just got on with life."

The project began in 2008 when ITN journalist Caroline Froggatt approached Adams with a view to producing portraits of wounded veterans following a visit to the military rehabilitation centre Headley Court.

The prince is passionate about supporting British servicemen and women injured in the line of duty.

He trekked to the South Pole with a Walking with the Wounded team and also set up the successful Invictus Games, in which Corporal Fergusson, who lives in Stirchley, took part.

* Bryan Adams' images will be exhibited in Wounded: The Legacy of War at Somerset House, London, until 25 January; somersethouse.org.uk. The book of the same name, edited by Caroline Froggatt (Steidl £50), is available nationwide with proceeds going to a number of charities.