This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7282028.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Soldiers honoured for gallantry Soldiers honoured for gallantry
(about 2 hours later)
Four Royal Welsh soldiers who served in Iraq have been given awards for gallantry. Eight Royal Welsh soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have been given awards for gallantry.
Maj Stephen Webb, from Swansea, and Cpl Richard Pask, from Cwmbran, will receive one of the British Army's highest honours, the Military Cross. Maj Stephen Webb from Swansea, Cpl Richard Pask from Cwmbran, and Fusilier Damion Hields from Denbigh will receive the Military Cross.
L/Cpl Darren Gregory, from Bridgend and Pte Benjamin Chamberlain, from Caerphilly, were mentioned in despatches. The awards for "conspicuous gallantry" will be presented by the Queen.
All praised the fellow members of the regiment's 2nd Battalion. L/Cpl Darren Gregory, from Bridgend and Pte Benjamin Chamberlain, from Caerphilly, were mentioned in despatches along with three others.
Those awarded the Military Cross, for "conspicuous gallantry", will receive it from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The Military Crosses, one of the British army's highest honours, will be presented at Buckingham Palace.
Maj Webb has been honoured for his action when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb as they were clearing the route for a convoy travelling from Basra Palace.Maj Webb has been honoured for his action when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb as they were clearing the route for a convoy travelling from Basra Palace.
His citation said Maj Webb had been exposed to enemy fire almost daily and under his leadership "morale was sky high", even though his company had suffered three deaths and had a casualty rate of almost 15%.His citation said Maj Webb had been exposed to enemy fire almost daily and under his leadership "morale was sky high", even though his company had suffered three deaths and had a casualty rate of almost 15%.
It added: "He displayed selfless courage, conspicuous gallantry and inspiring leadership of the very highest order."It added: "He displayed selfless courage, conspicuous gallantry and inspiring leadership of the very highest order."
Cpl Richard Pask was commended for his "selfless actions"Cpl Richard Pask was commended for his "selfless actions"
Maj Webb said it was "very flattering" and he, along with his wife and father, was proud to receive the award but added: "There are 127 blokes in the company I think equally as deserving of an award as me."Maj Webb said it was "very flattering" and he, along with his wife and father, was proud to receive the award but added: "There are 127 blokes in the company I think equally as deserving of an award as me."
Being given the award, he said, had brought into focus that three men from the battalion had not returned home with them and were missed.Being given the award, he said, had brought into focus that three men from the battalion had not returned home with them and were missed.
The battalion's homecoming parade in December had been a time when the soldiers felt "immensely proud", he said, and public support shown had been "fantastic".The battalion's homecoming parade in December had been a time when the soldiers felt "immensely proud", he said, and public support shown had been "fantastic".
Cpl Pask reckoned he would still be in shock in a week's time at being awarded the Military Cross.Cpl Pask reckoned he would still be in shock in a week's time at being awarded the Military Cross.
His citation explained that following an explosion he was concussed, nauseous and bleeding badly from his head but instead of withdrawing, continued his "exemplary leadership" for six hours.His citation explained that following an explosion he was concussed, nauseous and bleeding badly from his head but instead of withdrawing, continued his "exemplary leadership" for six hours.
It said: "His selfless actions helped the vulnerable convoy reach its destination unscathed."It said: "His selfless actions helped the vulnerable convoy reach its destination unscathed."
Cpl Pask said: "You would say it's an infantry soldier's dream to get presented with a medal for bravery because that's what you join up for."Cpl Pask said: "You would say it's an infantry soldier's dream to get presented with a medal for bravery because that's what you join up for."
Asked whether he believed he had done anything special he replied: "No more than what everyone else did in my regiment.Asked whether he believed he had done anything special he replied: "No more than what everyone else did in my regiment.
"Everyone did extremely brave, selfless things out there.""Everyone did extremely brave, selfless things out there."
Pte Chamberlain was just 18 when he was sent out to Iraq on his first assignment.Pte Chamberlain was just 18 when he was sent out to Iraq on his first assignment.
He has been honoured for "devotion to duty, initiative and outstanding professional skill as a warrior armoured fighting vehicle gunner".He has been honoured for "devotion to duty, initiative and outstanding professional skill as a warrior armoured fighting vehicle gunner".
Pte Benjamin Chamberlain and L/Cpl Darren GregoryPte Benjamin Chamberlain and L/Cpl Darren Gregory
Nicknamed 'Dangerous Dave', Pte Chamberlain, said: "It's a good award. It's overwhelming really."Nicknamed 'Dangerous Dave', Pte Chamberlain, said: "It's a good award. It's overwhelming really."
L/Cpl Darren Gregory, who was on his second tour of duty in Iraq, was honoured for "conspicuous gallantry, ferocious determination and inspiring leadership."L/Cpl Darren Gregory, who was on his second tour of duty in Iraq, was honoured for "conspicuous gallantry, ferocious determination and inspiring leadership."
In his citation, he was commended for single-handedly inspiring his soldiers to "beat off two heavy attacks by a superior force".In his citation, he was commended for single-handedly inspiring his soldiers to "beat off two heavy attacks by a superior force".
L/Cpl Gregory said: "We were just doing our job and you just did what needed to be done...The training we do all clicks in and everything happens."L/Cpl Gregory said: "We were just doing our job and you just did what needed to be done...The training we do all clicks in and everything happens."
Also mentioned in despatches were Capt David Evans from Cardiff, Capt Richard Moger from Cheltenham and Cpl Kelly Peters from Brecon, who all served in Iraq.