Page 18 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

16
Lance Corporal Alan REDFORD MC
Section Second in Command Afghanistan, 2010
Lance Corporal Redford from Birkenhead was awarded the Military Cross for his actions whilst serving with 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment in Afghanistan in 2010.
“At the beginning of May, Lance Corporal
Redford’s Platoon was patrolling to protect the approaches to
its base, moving through the maze of mud-built compounds of a village when the enemy opened up on them with small arms fire and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs). Realising that the enemy had the upper hand and seeing an opportunity to turn the battle around, Redford exposed himself to the enemy’s fire as he charged forward forcing them to withdraw. This rallied his men who then supported him with accurate covering fire.
“A month later at first light whilst conducting a deliberate Improvised Explosive Device (lED) clearance operation in and around the River Helmand, Redford’s Section came under small arms contact when one of his patrol struck an lED and was tragically killed. The enemy was engaging it from two compounds and had the position of advantage but with scant regard for his own safety, Redford leapt to his feet and swiftly assaulted forward towards the insurgents, firing as he went. The enemy began to fall back under increasingly effective fire from Redford and his men, who were now inspired to join the fight. Pressing home the attack, Redford cleared one of the enemy compounds and forced the enemy to retreat from the other before joining his men to establish a defensive position. Redford rallied and refocused the men on their mission, leading them through a further day of contact fighting from their compound, and brought them out without taking any further casualties.
“Redford has demonstrated incredible gallantry in the face of the enemy, turning the tide of the battle on at least two occasions. His unflinching courage has undoubtedly saved lives.”
Corporal Mark WARD MC
Section Commander Afghanistan, 2010
Continuing with our list of Gallantry Award Winners is Corporal Mark Ward MC, who
won a Military Cross while serving with the 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment in Afghanistan in 2010.
“Corporal Ward, operating from an isolated outpost in Helmand, demonstrated outstanding gallantry and leadership whilst involved in three hard-fought contacts during the mission to expand security around his Company’s base.
“For example, on 23 April 2010 Ward’s section was occupying a compound to provide cover for other troops when a patrol to their front came under heavy and accurate fire, pinned down with rounds from numerous firing points.
“Pausing only to brief his men, Ward led them out into the withering fire, winning the firefight and enabling them to extract
from the area. A few days later, they were ambushed by insurgents using small arms, machine guns and rocket propelled grenades forcing them to take cover. Ignoring the danger, Ward took to his feet and fired a Light Anti-Structures Munitions rocket into the enemy centre of mass, knocking the enemy off balance and reducing their effectiveness. Under his leadership, his section soon overcame the enemy, advancing and forcing them from their positions without friendly loss.
“Corporal Ward has consistently displayed actions which were selflessly brave as he demonstrated conspicuous courage and inspirational leadership in the face of the enemy, whilst repeatedly salvaging deteriorating situations and saving the lives of his men.”
Private Daniel James HELLINGS QGM
Rifleman Vallon Operator Afghanistan 2010
The next gallantry award winner is Private Hellings QGM, who was awarded a Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his actions whilst serving in Afghanistan in 2010 with 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment.
“On 7 September 2010, a 15 man Afghan National Army patrol struck an Improvised Explosive Device (lED) in a three metre wide alleyway in a village near to the base, sustaining two casualties, one bleeding heavily from severe leg wounds and the other blinded by the blast.
“Private Hellings, realising that the specialist search team would take too long to deploy, went forward a distance of some 50 metres to try and reach the wounded who he knew would die if not treated. As he reached the first stranded casualties, an Afghan soldier initiated a secondary device yards from Hellings, resulting in a third wounded man. Hellings’ Commander ordered him to withdraw from the alley to re-assess the situation but after consideration, Hellings realised that there was no time to find an alternative route and volunteered to return to the task. With his Vallon rendered largely ineffective due to the amount of metallic debris on the floor, he undertook an hour long finger tip search, finding a further four deadly devices.
“Uncovering one lED, Hellings realised that wires from it stretched the width of the alleyway, which normally should have prevented further advance. Realising that the wait for a high threat operator would mean almost certain death for the injured, he disregarded
his own personal safety and continued to clear the ground around the devices, reaching three separate casualties, and a disorientated soldier isolated by the blasts where he assisted with life saving first aid before enabling their safe extraction.
“Undoubtedly, Hellings has demonstrated a level of courage and ability far beyond that which could be expected of his age, rank and experience, and in the most extreme of circumstances.”
Corporal Carl TAYLOR MC
Section Commander Afghanistan, 2011
Corporal Taylor won a Military Cross whilst serving with 3rd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment in Afghanistan, 2011.
“Corporal Taylor’s company was engaged by
accurate and sustained small arms fire from several enemy positions hidden in the dense vegetation and compounds on the approach
to a village. Taylor was one of a small group who responded by advancing eastwards to outflank this enemy force by advancing across 300 metres of open ground under heavy fire to take up a position in an empty compound.
“Ordered by his Platoon Commander to deal with some distressed local females within the compound, whose children were trapped beside an outhouse opposite by indiscriminate and persistent insurgent small arms fire, Taylor acted on his own initiative and
with complete disregard for his own personal safety, ran across 25 metres of open ground in full view of the enemy to grab one of the children before using his own body as a shield as he ran back to the main compound. With any element of surprise gone, Taylor without hesitation exposed himself once more to repeat the journey, taking the two remaining children under his arms. Miraculously he got back to the safety of the compound unscathed and was able to reunite the children with their anxious mothers.”
THE MERCIAN EAGLE