Salisbury Plain soldiers honoured (From Salisbury Journal)

Salisbury Plain soldiers honoured

9:39am Friday 7th March 2008 in Forces focus

By David Falcke

More than 40 operational gallantry honours and awards were announced today (Friday) for Salisbury Plain based soldiers.

They include two Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses, two Distinguished Service Orders and eight Military Crosses for service in Afghanistan and Iraq last year.

Two members of 4th Battalion The Rifles who were killed in June last year while serving in Iraq, Major Paul Harding, aged 49, and Corporal Rodney Wilson, aged 30, have been Mentioned in Despatches.

The announcements were made at Larkhill by the Commander in Chief Land Forces, General David Richards who described the recipients as "very special people."

He went on to praise the recipients saying, "The very brave soldiers gathered here today, who I know accept their awards with due humility, have won some of the highest and most coveted awards for outstanding courage, bravery and tenacity in the face of the enemy or in particularly dangerous, unpleasant or hazardous conditions, or all three."

The Commander of 12 Mechanised Brigade, Brigadier John Lorimer, who receives the Distinguished Service Order, as does Lieutenant Colonel Justin Maciejewski MBE, who commanded 2nd Battalion The Rifles in Iraq, and is now the Chief of Staff at HQ 3rd (UK) Division in Bulford.

Talking to the Journal, Brigadier Lorimer had nothing but praise for the men and women who served with him in Afghanistan. "This is an exceptional day today, I think some of the soldiers are almost overwhelmed by it all."

"What has struck me is how young some of the soldiers are, how humble they are and the way they say that what they did was all in a day's work, actually it was more than that, it was extreme heroism. It is a fitting finish to our time in Afghanistan."

"I think that the word hero is overused in the media today, often to describe footballers, today some real heroes have been recognised."

Commenting on his own award, Brigadier Lorimer said "This was really for 12 Brigade, it is lovely for me personally, but it is a lovely award to say well done 12 Brigade."

Soldiers from 4 RIFLES received 11 awards, including the two posthumous awards to Major Paul Harding and Corporal Rodney Wilson, whose father was present at the announcement.

They included the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for Corporal Adam MILLER, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers attached to 4th Battalion The Rifles an extract from his citation read: "In an attempt to recover a military vehicle Miller worked tirelessly for nearly 2 hours, much of that time under constant and heavy fire in a 360 and three-dimensional urban battle. Miller displayed extraordinary dedication, icy nerve and determination."

Lieutenant Rupert Lane, 23, from Winchester was awarded the Military Cross and three other members of his platoon were also decorated. His citation read: "2Lt Lane's 24-man platoon was at the centre of the heaviest battle in Basra since 2003. During the ferocious four and a half hour battle Lane moved from position to position in the face of the enemy exercising decisive command, controlling fire, re-deploying his sections and organising casevac. "

"His personal example of courage and inspiring leadership enabled his platoon to prevent a decisive enemy victory that would have had far reaching impact on the UK's Iraq campaign."

The award came as a surprise to Rupert. "I thought that I was called to the COs office because three of my platoon were receiving awards," he said. "It came as a shock when I found out that I was getting one too".

"The first three months of the tour were absolutely awesome, in a dangerous way, but that is what the lads joined for and the enjoyed it, it was pretty rude.

"The battle itself was pretty wild, it was my first contact (battle) and my platoon serjeant who is quite a bit older than me was amazed. For a bunch of really young guys, even with me and the serjeant, the platoons average age was about 18 , they were absolutely outstanding, straight out out of training in Catterick and doing a superb job. I just told them what to do and they did it, I could not have asked for anything more."

One of Rupert's young soldiers was Rifleman Mark Lunn, 20, who was also awarded the Military Cross. His citation read: "During the heaviest battle in Basra since 2003 Lunn was wounded by a round in his leg."

"Despite being ordered to the temporary aid post to receive first aid he soon reappeared to join his section, he was re-ordered back but returned again and again determined to help in any way he could. Lunn showed remarkable fighting spirit, courage and devotion to duty.

He too was completely surprised by the award. "This was the last thing that expected, " said Mark. "When I was called into the COs office I thought that I was picking up extra duties. I was blown away when he told me, I did not know what to think, I still don't, it is still sinking in."

"We were defending a police station and came under heavy attack from all sides, rocket propelled grenades, mortars, small arms fire, it was a six hour contact, Rifleman Sawyer next to me was shot, the round passed though him and hit me, I managed to drag him off the roof and after I had been treated I went back up and started doing resupply runs, water and stuff. "Our training just kicks in, you just do it. Sitting downstairs getting your leg wrapped up in a bandage and you think my mates are back up there fighting, so you go back up, you have got to get stuck in."

"My mum is over the moon, I don't think she really knows what it is. Next I have got an NCOs cadre and then the Palace, I don't know which is worrying me most."

A Military Cross was also awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 Rodney Poulter, an extract from his citation read "In two incidents when improvised explosive devices struck his vehicles WO2 Poulter displayed selfless courage, presence of mind and steadiness under fire of the very highest order. He repeatedly and deliberately placed himself in extreme peril to save his men."

Other awards for 4 RIFLES included MIDs for Rfns Brett Campbell, Allan Gormley, and WO2 Lee Roberts. QCB for Serjeant Robert Taylor and a QCVS for Rfn Hossam Geali.

Major Paul Harding's citation read " "Awarded for his calmness in chaos and personal example during a difficult and dangerous period, his supreme skill, influence and leadership will continue to inspire his soldiers long into the future."

Corporal Rodney Wilson's citation said "Cpl Wilson gave his life in saving one of his comrades. His swift and bold actions under deadly fire are an example of the most selfless bravery and courage."

Soldiers from Perham Down based 26 Regiment, Royal Engineers received eight awards. They included a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for 26 year-old Corporal Donald Campbell.

His citation read "Campbell is awarded for his incredible act of pre-meditated bravery, intentionally driving an unprotected piece of large plant machinery into an enemy killing zone, whilst under very intense accurate fire for a considerable amount of time he carefully placed a fascine into a ditch enabling an armoured advance."

Donald was modest about his actions ""I was very shocked and very surprised at the award and still am," he said. "I come from the Island of South Uist and when I phoned my Mum, I don't thing she really knew what it was about."

"I was driving a front loader, a big civilian tractor with a load of fascines in the bucket and I drove forward under fire to the ditch.

"Before I could unload, I had to jump out and cut the bindings, the Taliban were shooting, then I had to get back under cover. At the time I knew that it was something that had to be done and I just thought that it was a good idea."

"I am surprised and happy about the award, I feel good about it."

Other awards for 26 Regt were; MBE for SSgt Edward Palmer, MIDs for LCpls Daniel Gwilliams and Stephen Mills and Spr Oliver Crook; QCB for LCpl Graeme Stoddart and QCVS to Lt Col Ivan Jones and Spr Gavin Montgomery.

There were two Military Crosses awarded to men from 19 Regiment, Royal Artillery from Larkhill. Bombardier Paul Greenwood whose citation read "Bdr Greenwood is awarded for his extraordinary courage and dedication to duty as an indirect fire observer in a fire support team supporting the Afghan National Army (ANA)."

" After taking cover in an irrigation ditch, one ANA soldier was killed, three wounded and all but three fled during the casevac. Down to less than a magazine each and under heavy fire two more ANA soldiers were wounded and intelligence indicated that the enemy were preparing to mount a final assault. Greenwood volunteered to run through the torrent of enemy fire to collect essential ammunition, he did so, collected as much as he could, and despite knowing that if hit his recovery would be impossible he left his position of relative safety to return to the ditch."

"The ammunition proved essential and after a further 4 hours the enemy were suppressed sufficiently to attempt a fighting withdrawal"

Bdr Greenwood, 26, was astonished at his award. "I was shocked when the CO told me that I had been awarded the MC, said Paul. "Our patrol was ambushed, so we got into a ditch, the ANA were taking casualties and the Taliban closed in from three sides, we were trapped for five hours, we needed ammunition, so I volunteered to go back and get some and kept the fight going until help arrived."!

"I did not think that I had done anything exceptional, I just had to keep on fighting, I just did what I had to do to keep fighting. My parents were over the moon, speechless, I am still in shock, it has not sunk in yet."

A second MC went to Lance Bombardier Michael Frew, 24, from Bolton . His actions were described in the citation "As Second-in-Command of a fire support team, LBdr Frew, following orders to seize a bridge, coordinated an overwhelming fire plan"

"As his platoon extracted back across the bridge it was engaged by a new enemy position preventing the remainder from joining the lead section. Frew took control and sprinted across the bridge, essentially a killing zone, to suppress the enemy allowing the rest to cross. He is awarded for his extraordinary bravery, application of firepower and tenacity to succeed in the face of perilous danger."

"It was a hard tour, a bit cheeky," said Michael. "But we got into it straight away and just cracked on. My job as a Fire Support Team controller was to call in guns and mortars to support the infantry; I was with a section and called in fire when needed."

"I had no idea why the Commanding Officer had called me in, I was very surprised, I was not expecting it."

"I was working with the Estonians, the tour went very fast, it did not seem like six months. My parents were really chuffed when I told them about the award, they said well done. My wife Victoria, who lives in Larkhill was dead chuffed as well."

Captain Ruth Earl, Royal Mechanical and Electrical Engineers who commands the 19 Regt Light Aid Detachment was awarded an MBE for her work in Afghanistan; Her citation read, "Capt Earl is awarded for her immeasurable support to the task force."

"From a pair of temporary shelters in the brutal summer heat of Camp Bastion, responsible for over one thousand pieces of equipment and commanding a sub unit exceeding 150 soldiers despite her relatively junior years and experience, she sustained operations in this theatre in a way that few others could match."

One of only two women to be honoured, Ruth was amazed by her award. "I was absolutely amazed by this award, I never saw this coming at all, it is just an incredible feeling, it has not really sunk in, it all seems a little surreal at the moment."

I was based at Camp Bastion, commanding the Light Aid Detachment for the brigade," said Ruth. "For the soldiers working on repairing the vehicles, the searing temperatures made it very difficult to work with metal tools and vehicles and so I was always looking for ways to overcome the heat, often by working late into the night when it was cooler."

"I had to be aware of what operations were planned so that we could deliver the service we needed got the brigade to operate."

"This award is very defiantly for my team, I was very fortunate to have worked with a very skilled and committed bunch of tradesman who worked extremely long hours in difficult conditions, many of them deploying outside the camp for long periods in dangerous and harsh conditions. I have the utmost respect for the tradesmen who worked for me"

Other awards for 19 Regt included MIDs for SSgt Adrian Berry, Capt James Carrick and Maj Andrew Dawes and a QCVS for the Commanding Officer, Lt Col William Bramble Bulford based 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh who served alongside 4 RIFLES in Iraq received five awards including two MCs.

One went to Major Stephen Webb whose citation read "Maj Webb had been exposed to enemy fire almost daily with two vehicles destroyed under him by improvised explosive devices. B Company had a casualty rate of almost 15%, including three dead, but under his leadership morale was sky high. He displayed selfless courage, conspicuous gallantry and inspiring leadership of the very highest order."

The second was awarded to Corporal Richard Pask for his actions while wounded, "Following an attack from an improvised explosive device against his vehicle Cpl Pask was concussed, nauseous and bleeding badly from his head. With the option to withdraw, Cpl Pask continued his exemplary leadership for a further six hours. His selfless actions helped the vulnerable convoy reach its destination unscathed."

MIDs went to Pte Benjamin Chamberlaine, LCpl Darren Gregory and Cpl Kelly Peters Other awards for local soldiers included a Military Cross for service in Iraq to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Fram, Commanding Officer of 6th Battalion The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers based in Tidworth - "In contact with the enemy daily and in an isolated and detached location, Lt Col Fram led his team of 70 men with great bravery and determination. Despite the loss of a trusted friend and advisor and eight injured soldiers he did not once flinch from his task."

MBEs were awarded to Major Richard Watts of 12 Mechanised Brigade Signal Squadron for service in Afghanistan and Major John Stevens, 3 MERCIANS from Tidworth for service in Iraq.

Major James Roddis , Royal Regiment of Scotland serving with 12 Mech Bde HQ was awarded the QCVS, there were MIDs for Cpl Scott Arthur , The Yorkshire Regiment based at the Royal School of Artillery at Larkhill, Sgt Robin Ball REME and for Lt Quentin Hicks and Tpr Edward Payne of Tidworth based Kings Royal Hussars. QCB went to Bdr David Ball of 1 RHA, Cpl Neil Close 22 Engr Regt and WO1 Alexander Little 721 EOD Sqn from Ashchurch, all for service in Iraq.