UK troops receive bravery awards

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Dozens of soldiers and marines serving with UK forces in Afghanistan and Iraq have received bravery awards.

The medals include a Military Cross for an injured officer who refused morphine so he could command his troops.

Another officer received a Royal Red Cross for leading her nursing team during a rocket attack on a hospital.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said the medals - awarded at a ceremony in Windsor, Berkshire - rewarded "extraordinary courage".

A total of 136 members of the armed forces received gallantry awards for their service in Iraq, Afghanistan and other operations around the world.

Refused morphine

Captain Paul Brittion, of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, received one of the 19 Military Crosses awarded during the ceremony at Victoria Barracks.

I have been posted to Bosnia in the past and that was peace, but in Afghanistan it was war Rifleman Bhimbahadur Gurung He refused morphine when injured so he could remain in command of his troops whilst fighting the Taleban.

Another cross went to Major Jason Little, of the Yorkshire Regiment, who "by the strength of his leadership and with huge personal courage" co-ordinated Afghan and international forces in the newly retaken town of Delaram.

Rifleman Bhimbahadur Gurung, from Nepal, received an MC for exposing himself to intense enemy fire in Afghanistan as he crossed open ground twice, the second time burdened by a wounded comrade on his shoulder and with no cover available until he reached the compound.

If you've ever watched war films where it looks a bit hairy, well that's what it's like Major Daniel Cheesman He said: "I have been posted to Bosnia in the past and that was peace, but in Afghanistan it was war."

Among the Royal Marines to be awarded an honour was Major Daniel James Edward Cheesman, from Salisbury, who was made an MBE for repeatedly defeating the Taleban on the battlefield while working to improve living conditions for the local Afghan population.

He said: "If you've ever watched war films where it looks a bit hairy, well that's what it's like. Everything you'd imagine soldiering to be about, that's how it is. It was amazing."

He described going on 12-hour patrols in Helmand Province while carrying 100lb in weight, with Taleban mortars exploding around him. But he said this was only one side of the experience.

"Ten million US dollars was spent on schools, roads and clinics where there had never been any before," he said.

"The best thing was seeing kids, including girls, go to school despite Taleban intimidation.

"We also destroyed a drugs laboratory we came across where they were making heroin."

Taleban mortars

There was a Royal Red Cross for Major Janet Pilgrim, of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps, in recognition of her work in a hospital in Iraq.

I am very conscious that behind each of these awards lie acts of extraordinary dedication and courage Defence Secretary Des Browne Major Pilgrim led the hospital's team preparing bodies for repatriation; "she personally provided continuity and support for her team and despite having others to call on she chose to convey any bad news herself".

She also continued to lead her team after a direct hit on the hospital from a 122 mm rocket.

On Wednesday it was announced that one of the highest awards for bravery - a George Cross - had been awarded to Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher from the Royal Marines after he threw himself on a grenade to save his comrades' lives.

Mr Browne said he was "enormously grateful" for the contribution made by the armed forces, and the civilians who support them, in operational theatres around the world.

He said: "I am very conscious that behind each of these awards lie acts of extraordinary dedication and courage and I am delighted that they have been recognised in this way."