Royal Blue

Medals Awarded For Afghan Heroes

Victoria Cross and George Cross awarded for Para heroism in Afghanistan

Two soldiers from the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment have been posthumously honoured today, 14 December 2006, with the Nation's highest gallantry awards for their exceptional valour in Afghanistan this summer.

Corporal Bryan Budd, who died leading an assault against Taliban fighters, was awarded the Victoria Cross, becoming only the second recipient of the award in 24 years.

Corporal Mark Wright, who died after entering a minefield in an extraordinary attempt to save the lives of other critically injured soldiers, received the George Cross.

Together they head a list of 134 Service men and women who were honoured with operational awards for their bravery and service around the World, principally in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Defence Secretary Des Browne said:

"It is with a deep sense of pride and some sadness that we reflect on the truly extraordinary achievements of our Armed Forces today.  In Iraq, Afghanistan, and across the world, our brave men and women continue to put their lives on the line in the pursuit of security and stability.  They are an inspiration to us all."

Paying specific tribute to Corporals Budd and Wright, Mr Browne said:

"The reports of their actions are truly humbling, the very definition of selflessness and gallantry. These men made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. They shall not be forgotten."

Corporal Bryan Budd, Parachute Regiment, received a posthumous Victoria Cross for two separate acts of exceptional valour in Sangin District Centre, Helmand Province, in July and August 2006.

The first incident involved him leading an assault against enemy gunmen, without regard for his own safety, where the enemy fire was heaviest and his gallant action allowed a wounded soldier to be evacuated to safety.

In the second incident Corporal Budd's section was again engaged in heavy fighting. With enemy fire pinning down his section and two of his men wounded, he assaulted forward on his own. Although wounded himself, he rushed the enemy position, firing his weapon and killing a number of enemy fighters. Inspired by his example, the rest of the platoon pushed forward. Sadly, Corporal Budd died in this incident.

Corporal Mark Wright, also of the Parachute Regiment, is honoured with a posthumous George Cross for his outstanding gallantry in Helmand Province on 6 September 2006.

After witnessing a fellow soldier step on a landmine, Corporal Wright gathered together a small team and rushed to give assistance, entering the minefield despite the risk to himself. Further landmines were detonated, causing severe injuries to other personnel. So Corporal Wright ordered all non-essential personnel out of the minefield as he sought to take control.

Then, in a further blast, Corporal Wright himself sustained serious injuries while making his way to a helicopter which had been called in to assist. Despite his mortal injuries he strove to control the situation and gave extraordinary encouragement to those around him. Corporal Wright sadly died of his wounds in the rescue helicopter.

Browne apologises in troops pay row

Browne apologises in troops pay row

The defence secretary, Des Browne, was forced to apologise to the House of Commons today, after the Conservatives claimed that his promise that British troops would not lose out when their allowances were rejigged was in contradiction to his official briefing notes.

Mr Browne had told the Commons in October that the changes would "not take one penny away from anybody", despite an official memo admitting that there would be "potential losers" from the reorganisation.

Despite the prime minister partly coming to the rescue of Mr Browne at prime minister's question time today, Mr Browne later wrote a note to the Speaker, Michael Martin, apologising for any confusion.

Misleading the house is a grave offence among MPs, and the Tories immediately hit back, claiming that the apology was not good enough.

Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary, said: "It's welcome news that Mr Browne accepts he made comments which contradict his own internal briefings.

"What we need to know now is what he intends to do about it. Servicemen and women serving on the frontline will rightly feel let down by this sleight of hand from the Labour government.

"It is clear the MoD is giving with one hand whilst taking with the other."

In his letter to Mr Martin, Mr Browne said: "Having looked again at the complete answer I gave, I do not think it was misleading.

"If, however, any part of it gave a misleading impression, then it was unintentional, and obviously I am sorry."

In a detailed defence of the changes to service personnel allowances for spending time away from their families at PMQs today, Mr Blair insisted that no British troops would lose out under the changes in allowances and that "everyone gains money".

However, quizzed by the Tories on the issue at what was the final PMQs of 2006, Mr Blair ducked the issue of whether Mr Browne owed MPs an apology, but set out on his own lengthy explanation of the reconfiguration of the monies.

Insisting that: "Overall, no one loses money and everyone gains money," Mr Blair set out a lengthy defence of the measures - so much so that Mr Cameron was left joking that after stepping down as prime minister he could play civil servant Sir Humphrey in a remake of Yes, Prime Minister.

But Mr Cameron called on Mr Browne to apologise for misleading the house over the allowance changes, insisting: "The point is simple: the defence secretary was briefed one thing and said something else."

Mr Blair said an additional £60m was being paid in allowances for British troops, but admitted that for the Grenadiers, in particular, it would be the case that "it's not that they will receive less money. It is that the money they were going to receive under the present allowance may be less than they thought they were going to get."

In a heated clash, Mr Cameron said: "The defence secretary said changes in allowances would not take one penny away from anybody. Will you confirm that government briefing now shows this isn't true?"

Mr Blair conceded the issue was complicated but said: "Let me explain what's happening in relation to these allowances.

"At the present time for the navy and Royal Marines there are two different allowances that are being amalgamated together.

"In respect of one of those allowances, which is the longest service at sea bonus, that itself is split into two different types of payment.

"When they are amalgamating all of it into one allowance, which is going to be called the longer separation allowance, they are deeming the amount of credits under that particular part of the service at sea bonus to be roughly at 60%.

"That will mean within that bonus there are those people who will have actually accrued more than 60% - so within that bonus they may receive less than otherwise they would.

"However, that is more than compensated for by the fact that the new allowance is going to be paid at a bigger higher rate - £25 rather than £12.80 - and all personnel are going to be credited with an extra 100 days as the deemed separation."

Mr Blair joked that he had been memorising that answer all morning long.

Mr Blair went on: "The letter that the second sea lord sent to the navy and the marines is correct, that people will not lose under that benefit.

"In relation to the other allowance, which is called the accumulated turbulence allowance ... that allowance, at the present time, kicks in when 280 days are served.

"That is now going to be amalgamated so there is this one separation allowance. I'm told it is possible that some of those who are getting at present that allowance may receive less than they otherwise thought they would.

"However, the majority of them will receive more under the separation allowance and quite apart from all of that the new operational allowance, tax free at £2,200 a year, means that overall no one loses money and everyone gains money."

The MoD document, leaked to the Daily Telegraph, was written by the director general of service personnel, Chris Baker.

It set out the government's case for removing long service separation (accumulated turbulence) bonuses, but concluded: "It has always been recognised and accepted that there will be a few potential losers, as those who have qualified due to high separation are unable to do so (under the reforms)."

A week later, on October 30, Mr Browne told MPs that the reconfiguration of allowances did "not take one penny away from anybody or from the armed forces... Money is not being taken away from anybody."

He said recently-introduced bonuses for serving in conflict zones meant the "total effect" would be "additional money for our armed forces".

An MoD spokeswoman said today: "There is no question of the secretary of state deliberately misleading the house.

"The new operational allowance of £2,240 brought in by Mr Browne is not connected with changes linked to existing allowances, which were decided upon some years ago."

A separate leaked memo from Lieutenant Colonel David Russell-Parsons, the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, apparently stated that 505 of his troops stand to lose £1,350 each through the scrapping of the separation allowance.

The memo, written in September, warned MoD chiefs that withdrawing the bonuses would send an "appalling message" to troops.

In response to this article explaining the reactions to the Royal Marines pay mixup that seemingly took away all of the extra allowances they recieve on deployment I am just so confused I don't even want to read this again in case it makes my head hurt. I am by no means unintelligent but I just seriously cannot work this out at all. I think they're fixing the mixup but who knows this just goes way over my head!

Another Royal Marine Killed In Afghan

Royal Marine dies in Afghanistan

A Royal Marine has died during a battle with insurgents in the troubled Helmand province of Afghanistan.

Nato confirmed that its forces were involved in an exchange of fire and the Ministry of Defence subsequently confirmed that a UK marine had died.

The MoD also said he was with 42 Commando Royal Marines and that he was hit by small arms fire.

It said a helicopter evacuated him to the hospital at Camp Bastion, where he was pronounced dead.

I just had a look on the bbc news website and saw this breaking news article up in the corner. Whenever you see anything like this I think everyone who has a loved one over there will say that your heart is in your mouth and you almost don't want to read the article in case it's something that you really don't want to know but I clicked it and for some reason I was almost expecting it to be another guy from 45 commando as fortunately for us the guys from 42 haven't suffered any casualties yet although I suppose unfortunately it is somewhat inevitable. It felt like my heart stopped beating when I saw it was a guy from 42 - as tragic as all of the recent incidents have been I think having something happen to a guy from your own unit feels so much more real and really gets to you a lot more.

I was still staring at the screen when I got a phone call from Marine's best friend - the person who I have asked to be the one to call me and let me know should anything happen to Marine. I have never felt so scared and so helpless in all of my life not knowing why he was calling me. I cried down the phone and he couldn't understand a word I was saying although luckily he was only calling to ask me if I knew anything about what had happened because he was also worried. He think's I ended up scaring him a lot more than he scared me but I have to say I never want to have that feeling again. I knew that the next of kin had already been informed so I asked him to call Marine's mum as I didn't want to call and sound upset as it would only worry her and as far as we know everything for us is fine as she hasn't been informed of anything happening. I am still really scared that the person hurt will turn out to be someone that I know although that is completely selfish of me I know.

I know that somewhere someone has been told the tragic news that their son, husband, boyfriend, brother or father have been killed in action and my heart is breaking for them because I really can't imagine what they are going through right now and I hope that I never have to find out. My thoughts are with his family and friends who have had to suffer such an awful loss today.

Once I had calmed down I saw this article on the MOD website which gives a little more information about the incident such as the more specific area in which it happened. :

British serviceman killed in Afghanistan

It is with profound sadness that the UK Task Force can confirm that a Royal Marine from 42 Commando Royal Marines has died whilst on operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Earlier today, Tuesday 12 December 2006, elements from the UK Task Force were patrolling to the north of Now Zad, a district in the North of Helmand, when they came under attack from Taliban forces.

During the contact the Marine was hit by small arms fire and fatally wounded. An emergency quick reaction helicopter along with a full medical team was immediately dispatched to Now Zad. The marine was then evacuated to the UK hospital at Camp Bastion, where he was sadly pronounced dead. Next of kin have now been informed.

No other servicemen were injured.

The Commander of the UK Task Force, Brigadier Jerry Thomas RM, said:

"It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death today of a Royal Marine. Our thoughts, sympathy and prayers are very much with the family, friends and colleagues.

"The Royal Marines Company involved in today's attack remains in Now Zad providing support to the Afghan Government and remains fully committed to the task."

The family have requested a period of privacy so that they can come to terms with their loss and inform friends and the wider family. Further details will be provided in 24 hours.

Marine's Returning To Afghanistan

Marines Will Return To Afghanistan

City Royal Marine commandos are to be re-deployed to southern Afghanistan in 12 to 18 months time - The Herald can exclusively reveal.

The revelation will come as a shock to the 1,000 city marines who are just three months into a six-month deployment in the country's dangerous southern Helmand Province.

Squadron leader John Griffin, press officer for Camp Bastion - which is where the marines of Stonehouse-based 3 Commando Brigade are based - told The Herald initially the Government was talking about Camp Bastion being in existence for three years. But he added recent talk had been very much about looking to the distant future.

"We have been hearing talk of 10 years, or indeed a generation however long that mean," he said.

"Plymouth marines are due to come back next year or in 18 months time.

"The handover will be a continuous process, every six months there will be a new brigade in charge, there has to be.

"It will be a continuous process with no time limit."

This deployment to Helmand is already the second for many marines who helped to build the two-kilometre by one-kilometre Camp Bastion in spring this year.

The camp, which is growing daily to accommodate the 2,400 force, is currently undergoing radical improvements.

A new multi-floored hospital is being built on site to replace the current tented facility, while new watch towers and a new main gate are also being constructed.

Meanwhile, barely 200 metres from the camp the US Government has invested 60 million to build a new camp for the Afghanistan National Army. This will sit beside Camp Tombstone which is currently occupied by British, US and Afghan forces.

Last night Lieutenant Colonel Matt Holmes, Commanding Officer of Bickleigh-based 42 Commando Royal Marines, refused to comment on any future deployment stating that after this deployment he and his marines serving in Afghanistan - numbering around 600 - would have a "well deserved" break before preparing for further deployments.

As reported in The Herald yesterday, British and other international forces are now involved in daily attacks with Taliban fighters as tensions continue to escalate.

Chiefs believe British forces - with Plymouth troops making up nearly a quarter of the 4,500-strong force - are beginning to tighten their grip on the war-torn region.

As well as 42 Commando and other elements of 3 Commando Brigade, southern Afghanistan also plays host to 29 Commando Royal Artillery and the Rifle Volunteers.

The aim of the six-month deployment is to bring peace and stability to the war-torn region.

This is so unfair! Some of these guys have been out there twice already this year and if they get sent out again in 12 months it would just be ridiculous and it will cause so many problems for them and for their families and wives and girlfriends. All I can say is I really hope that this doesn't happen.

Taliban Terror

Taliban Terror Heroic city commandos have spoken of the dramatic moment they were ambushed by Taliban fighters while protecting an outpost in southern Afghanistan. Two huge explosions and gunshots either side of their position in Forward Operating Base Robinson in Helmand Province alerted the eight Royal Citadel-based soldiers of the deadly threat while servicing their two 105mm guns. The lightning reactions and subsequent returning of fire from the 29 Commando Royal Artillery 79 Battery soldiers resulted in a successful defence of the base following a two-hour long fire fight. Defeating the enemy in such a way, the soldiers also made military history. Bombardier Scott Williamson, from Saltash - who was in charge of the ambushed F Troop on the night - described the scene at Sangin, north of Gereshk as being like 'something out of a Hollywood film'. "It was a frightening experience and I'm not afraid to admit that," the 29-year-old. "Even commandos get scared at times. It's not much fun being shot at, especially when you see rocket-propelled grenades coming towards you. "That night we received massive rates of incoming fire. They were like giant fireworks - only far deadlier. It was like something out of a Hollywood film." Reliving the moment, which happened last month, he said: "We were squaring away admin and servicing the guns at the time. It took us completely by surprise. "I heard someone scream 'get down' and saw a rocket-propelled grenade flash over our heads. It made a huge crater behind us while another exploded about 100ft in front of us. "We took instant cover behind the guns. We were being mortared from an old fort about 810 metres away. "For that moment we were pinned down. We quickly assembled, dragged one of the 105mm guns to a platform and fired at the target. Luckily we hit it. If we hadn't we might well have lost the base." Bdr Williamson said his sergeant major later informed him that the guns had not been used in defence of a gun position in a direct fire role since the 1950s. The guns, which can fire at a target anything up to 17 kilometres away, are no longer used to fire on close targets. After defeating the immediate threat, Bickleigh-based 42 Commando Royal Marines joined the night-time battle to further defeat up to 10 more Taliban fighters attacking from various positions. The soldiers were providing forward operations support to the marines and the Afghanistan National Army. Staff Sergeant Matt Williamson, from Plymouth, said: "When the first explosive came in it was nerve-racking but we just slipped into the role. "It took us completely by surprise but we got the job done." Major Chris Lucas, Battery Commander of 79 Battery, said he was proud of his troops. "From a professional level the guys have been absolutely superb," he said. "What they went through was pretty intense and they have quite a story to tell. "It goes without saying that we are all very proud of their guts and determination." There are currently 149 29 Commando Royal Artillery soldiers deployed in southern Afghanistan helping with the effort to bring peace and stability to the country. A Royal Marine killed in a battle with Taliban fighters on Tuesday has been named as 21-year-old Jonathan Wigley, from Leicestershire, of Zulu Company 45 Commando Royal Marines.

Royal Marine Killed In Afghan

I was just on the Sky News website and on the front page saw a breaking news article about a marine who has been killed in fighting and another one who has been wounded and is currently in hospital being treated.

UK marine killed in Afghan clash

A British Royal Marine has been killed and another wounded in a battle with the Taleban in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.

British troops attacked a Taleban-held valley but retreated after a 10-hour battle, the UK Helmand Task Force said.

They said the operation aimed to dislodge Taleban forces responsible for attacks on the village of Garmser.

Both marines were airlifted to a hospital in Camp Bastion, but one died from his wounds.

The second Royal Marine has undergone surgery and is in a stable condition, the task force added.

Earlier, a suicide bomber attacked a Nato convoy by driving a car laden with explosives into their vehicles in the Afghan city of Kandahar, officials said.

Nato officials said two civilians were reported to have been killed and least three others wounded, but no Nato personnel were injured.

The Sky News article which is a little more detailed can also be found here.

I can't believe that something like this has happened again. It's so sad and I was so worried that it could possibly be Marine who was hurt that I actually cried and felt sick. I can't imagine how the families and friends of those involved must be feeling right now my heart goes out to them I really don't know what to say about it it's just so tragic.

It's also made me even more angry about the fact that the MOD and the government really don't care about these guys at all. After all of the rubbish treatment the marines and other soldiers out there are recieving something like this happens and it really shows just how unfair everything is. They were actually just discussing on Sky News the fact that the families of soldiers killed in action have to pay hundreds of pounds just to recieve the reports on the inquests of their deaths as the MOD refuse to give them to them outright. This is so disgusting the more I find out about the treatment the MOD gives people the more I think that someone really needs to do something to sort it out really soon.

ROYAL MARINE HERO TO SELL MILITARY CROSS

ROYAL MARINE HERO TO SELL MILITARY CROSS

A former Plymouth-based Royal Marine who was the most junior-ranking serviceman to win the Military Cross is selling his medal to raise money to support his family.

Liam Armstrong, of 42 Commando, was 23 when he receieved the award - usually reserved for officers - for his part in seizing a 45-tonne cache of mortar bombs, rockets and bullets in an al Qaida heartland of Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan, in 2002.

Mne Armstrong seized nine armed men without firing a shot during Operation Jacana and then kept militia fighters at bay until reinforcements arrived.

Now 27 and employed as a tracklayer with a railway company in Carlisle, he hopes to raise up to £30,000 by selling the coveted award at auction.

The Military Cross, along with his operational service medals for work in Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland, are being offered for sale at Morton and Eden in London on December 15.

Mr Armstrong said yesterday he was selling the medal to build a base for his new life.

He left the armed forces in October 2005 - he was based in Arbroath - and has a two-year-old daughter, Lydia, with a long-term partner.

"I just want to make sure my daughter has got everything she needs," he said. "I'm not a rich man and the sale will ensure our future as a family. Whatever I need to do to achieve that, I'll do it."

He originally wanted to become a professional footballer but was rejected by Scottish league side Queen's Park on the grounds that he "lacked spirit".

He joined the Marines in 1999, serving with 42 Commando based in Plymouth and in the UN operations in Sierra Leone.

At the time of his award, he said: "My Mum and Dad received a letter at home and Dad was so excited they called me straight away. I was gobsmacked."

This seems so sad that a guy has to sell the medal that he was awarded four courage and bravery just to make any kind of real money in order to have a decent future with his family. With everything that has been happening with the government refusing to pay the marines the bonuses they had been promised for being in combat and basically giving up half a year of their lives and then the treatment of wounded soldiers when they return home I'm really starting to think that the government really couldn't care less about the soldiers that serve our country and in some cases give up everything while doing so. Something really needs to be done because this is just disgraceful. If I was rich I would give the guy the money that he wants to earn from his medal and tell him to keep it as something that he can be proud of for the rest of his life and that his family can be proud of for generations.