Honoured for bravery and service on operations

8 Sep 2006 04:00 AM

64 members of the Armed Forces are to be honoured on Friday 8 September for their gallantry and service in Iraq, Afghanistan and other operations around the world.

The honours for the period 1 October 2005 to 31 March 2006 include two Military Crosses and two George Medals for bravery in Iraq. Brigadier Patrick Marriott receives a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for his command of 7 Armoured Brigade in Multi-National Division (South East) which ended in May this year.

A Distinguished Service Order is given to the Commander of the UK Harrier Squadron in Afghanistan until May 2006, Wing Commander Martin Sampson.

Royal Navy Captain Paul McAlpine is awarded an OBE for keeping Iraqi shipping lanes open and free of terrorists.

And Flight Lieutenant Sohail Khan is awarded a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for his earthquake relief efforts in Pakistan.

Secretary of State for Defence, Des Browne said today: "The men and women of our Armed Forces are doing hard and dangerous work every day in operations around the world. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate those honoured today and to thank them. They are a tribute to our Armed Forces and our nation."

Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup, today said:

"The men and women of our Armed Forces are serving their country in difficult and dangerous operations, often under the most arduous of conditions. They routinely carry out their duties with unwavering determination, unparalleled professionalism and awesome courage. The brave men and women honoured on this list reflect these
characteristics in abundance; the nation can and should be rightly proud of them and the Services they represent."

Royal Air Force Wing Commander Martin Sampson is awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his command of the Harrier Squadron during two tours of southern Afghanistan. Wing Commander Sampson's enthusiasm and leadership helped enable the busy Harrier Squadron to provide vital air support for the NATO ground troops in this demanding and dangerous area between December 2004 and May 2006.

Wg Cdr Sampson was described as a "fearless and courageous airborne warrior" by his Commanding Officer on Operation HERRICK.

On 30 April 2006, the Squadron was scrambled to provide support to ground troops coming under extremely heavy enemy fire. Wg Cdr Sampson climbed into his single-seat Harrier and took command of all four aircraft on the scene. Responding to a request to deliver munitions onto a compound, he attacked the target while under intense fire, destroying it and releasing the ground unit from the trap.

Elsewhere panic was setting in as the troops' position was becoming desperate. Coolly, Wg Cdr Sampson correlated the position of the enemy's fire from the scant information available and directed his number two aircraft to engage. During his bomb run the number two's ground radio failed. Wg Cdr Sampson calmly relayed communications from the ground to his wingman. When this aircraft's weapon system then failed, Wg Cdr Sampson swiftly dived into the attack to prosecute the target. At low level and again in the face of heavy enemy gunfire, he received a broken message to drop all his rockets onto a different aim point; unflustered he re-adjusted his aim and neutralised the target.

Wg Cdr Sampson flew 103 such missions throughout his twelve months in Afghanistan.

Wg Cdr Sampson, who completed his second tour of Afghanistan in May 2006 was in the Falkland Islands when he was told of his honour.

His Commanding Officer on Operation HERRICK, Air Commodore Baz North, said: "Sampson's complete and inspirational command of No1 (Fighter) Squadron on operational duty in the face of a persistent and hostile enemy, reflects his exceptional personal courage, outstanding flying skills, comprehensive understanding of the tactical environment and his supreme leadership of men in the field."

Sergeant James Newell is awarded a Military Cross for his bravery in rescuing foot patrols which came under fire in the volatile Al Jamoury district of As Samawah, Iraq on 21 January 2006. Sergeant Newell, 33, undoubtedly saved the lives of his colleagues from the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment and the Iraqi Police Service whom he was patrolling with.

When foot patrols came under small arms and grenade attack from some 30 to 40 gunmen, Sergeant Newell, whose two brothers also served with the Paras, commanded his team of armoured Landrovers to ferry four men at a time back to the relative safety of the provincial operations centre. Sergeant Newell deliberately drove his vehicles twice into the heart of the fire fight to extract foot patrols that had become pinned down by enemy fire. As the men climbed into the vehicles, Sergeant Newell got out and returned fire.

As the vehicles hurried down the narrow streets of Al Jamoury, they continued to be attacked. Sergeant Newell, who lives in Colchester with his wife Andrea and their son Ben, 7, said: "At every corner we got to we were getting shot at. We had a running battle all the way down a one-mile stretch of road with grenades, rocket-propelled grenades and lots and lots of small arms fire. We had people shooting at us from two or three directions."

After dropping the men off, Sergeant Newell turned his vehicles around and headed back into the fire fight to provide protective fire and extract all the other foot patrols. Sergeant Newell's dry humour surfaced as he told them: "Come on! The operations centre is that way. Don't take all day!"
Sergeant Newell said of the incident, "It was exciting to say the least. I'd never been involved in anything that big before and I've had contacts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland."

The Commanding Officer of 2 Para, Lieutenant Colonel James Chiswell, said: "Newell displayed exceptional courage and remarkable composure throughout this incident. His steady manner, astute judgement and irrepressible sense of humour inspired and reassured those around him. His repeated and premeditated disregard for his personal safety and his total dedication to those on foot undoubtedly saved lives."

When told of his Military Cross, Sergeant Newell said: "I'm stunned to say the least. I haven't quite got my head round it yet. I keep thinking I've misheard."

The three Para Newell brothers - James, Richard and Andy, grew up in Watton in Norfolk where they were able to watch the Parachute Regiment practicing parachute drops onto the Stanford Training Area from their home. Eldest brother, former Sergeant Major Richard Newell received an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June 2005 for outstanding operational service in five theatres of operation including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Captain Kevin Ivison is awarded the George Medal for risking his life to defuse a second terrorist bomb after an explosive device killed his colleagues, Captain Richard Holmes, also honoured today, and Private Lee Ellis in Al Amarah, Iraq on 28 February 2006. Captain Holmes is posthumously awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in Iraq.

Captain Ivison, 25, the Ammunition Technical Officer for the Multi-National Forces in Maysan Province at the time, was called to the scene to deal with a second device. An angry crowd of Iraqis had gathered and disabling the device was necessary to protect them and to allow casualties to be removed. Without a robot to defuse it, Ivison took the decision to approach and disable the bomb himself. He realised the device was highly likely to detonate and kill him and that the terrorist snipers may still be in the vicinity.

Captain Ivison of the Royal Logistic Corps put on his protective equipment. Captain Ivison, whose parents David and Lorraine Ivison live in Rossall, Lancashire, set off past the casualties on the 'long walk' to the device. There, he attempted to disable the device before detonating it from a safe distance.

Captain Ivison's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ben Edwards who is also awarded an OBE today for his command of the Maysan Battlegroup, said: "Captain Ivison displayed the most conspicuous bravery and extreme devotion to duty in the presence of hostile forces over a period of four hours. With calmly calculated complete disregard for his life he decided to take the 'long walk', accepting that the most likely outcome was his death. His decision was not taken in the direct flash and heat of battle, but was calmly discussed with colleagues, though none but him had a full understanding of the likely outcome."

On being told of his award, Captain Ivison said "My immediate reaction was shock, humility, embarrassment and pride, but it was a team effort. I could not have done it alone."

Captain Ivison was based at Camp Abu Naji near Al Amarah. He has also served in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Northern Ireland. He now works at Head Quarters Land Command, Wilton, Wiltshire on the introduction of new bomb disposal equipment. He lives in Bristol.

Captain Ivison was educated in Germany and the UK and then attended Welbeck College, the Defence Sixth Form College, before entering the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He was commissioned in 1999 and initially served with 29 (Movement Control) Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps at South Cerney, Gloucestershire, before training as an Ammunition Technical Officer. Kevin's father was a Warrant Officer Class 2 in the Queen's Lancashire Regiment and is now retired.

Captain Richard Holmes, killed in the first incident Captain Ivison attended, is posthumously awarded a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for his work in engaging with Iraqi Security Forces and Police Service. Captain Holmes, of the Parachute Regiment, helped to build trust in the British Forces in Maysan and help to build Iraqi capability to take over responsibility for security in the Province. Captain Holmes' actions proved instrumental in working towards the long-term goal of eventual handover of the Province, said Maysan Battlegroup Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ben Edwards, also awarded the OBE today.

Fusilier Daniel Smith, or "Smudge", is awarded the George Medal for his actions in trying to save the lives of his friends and colleagues when his vehicle patrol in Iraq was attacked by roadside bombs twice within one week.

Fusilier Smith, 21, of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers probably saved the lives of his colleagues when he rescued them from a burning vehicle and applied first aid.

Their two-vehicle convoy was attacked by an improvised explosive device in Basrah City on 11 September 2005. Major Matt Bacon of the Intelligence Corps tragically died in the incident. Fusilier Smith, a trained medic, immediately ran to the stricken vehicle. Despite the vehicle being on fire and awash with fuel from ruptured jerry cans, he started to get the casualties out of the vehicle with no regard for his own safety. He then calmly and professionally applied first aid to the most seriously injured.

The young Fusilier, who has only been in the Army for three years, had also acted calmly and professionally just six days earlier when the front vehicle in his two-vehicle patrol was hit by a roadside bomb near Az Zubayr, Basrah Province, killing Fusiliers Meade and Manning. He again applied emergency first aid.

Fusilier Smith, who is based in Cyprus where he lives with his wife Joanna, this week attended a memorial for his lost colleagues. On hearing of his George Medal, Smith said: "It's a surprise but a tremendous honour I am going to receive a George Medal but my thoughts a this time are more with the families and friends of the soldiers who were lost that day. We were all close mates and they will not be forgotten."

His Commanding Officer in Basrah, Lieutenant Colonel Philip Ingram MBE, said: "Fusilier Smith displayed a level of tremendous bravery, coolness and professionalism under attack in an extremely dangerous situation. He had a total disregard for his own safety on two separate occasions in one week."

Lieutenant George Heyes, his Platoon Commander at the time said, "All of us in the 2nd Fusiliers and especially those in the Platoon are delighted and very proud of Fusilier Smith's award of a George Medal. The courage and professionalism Fusilier Smith demonstrated that day and his maturity and dedication over the following months was beyond that expected of a Fusilier, especially one of his age and experience.

"The deaths of Fusiliers Meade and Manning and Major Bacon in Iraq last year were a great loss. They were all highly professional and dedicated soldiers doing their duty under difficult circumstances. At this time of year, our thoughts are very much with their family and friends. The Fusiliers involved in both incidents already have the Battalion's respect and admiration and this recognition of Smith's actions makes all of us proud to be Fusiliers."

Fusilier Smith is from Manchester, where he attended Falinge Park High School and his family now live in Rochdale, Lancashire.

Staff Sergeant Chris Hewett is today awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal. Staff Sergeant Hewett made safe several explosive devices intended to kill innocent Iraqi civilians and Multi-National Forces in Basrah Province this time last year.

A bomb disposal operator, also with the Royal Logistic Corps, Staff Sergeant Hewett twice successfully dealt with three improvised explosive devices within 36 hour periods in Basrah City. On 7 September 2005, he cleared the scenes of attacks against a non-governmental organisation vehicle and a Danish patrol before being called out again at 0300 hours to make safe a device intended to kill troops responding to an explosion in which a number of Iraqi civilians had been killed and injured.

Again on 3 and 4 October 2005 Staff Sergeant Hewett successfully dealt with three devices in different locations in Basrah City, endangering his own life to secure a dangerous bomb with unfamiliar technology.

Staff Sergeant Hewett, of Temple Herdwyke, Warwickshire, was called out to 53 incidents in total over a four-month period which included eight explosions and resulted in 13 deaths. Each time, the area had to be declared safe before bodies and forensic evidence could be removed. "On each occasion Staff Sergeant Hewett, now based at the Army School of Ammunition in Southam, Warwickshire, carried out his duties with the utmost professionalism, commitment and respect", his Commanding Officer in Basrah, Major Andy Teeton said.

He added: "Throughout his tour, he faced challenging and distressing situations whilst working to ensure the safety of civilians and follow-up troops. He did so without fault. It is without question that his actions have saved life."

Captain Paul McAlpine of the Royal Navy is awarded an OBE for his role in the strategically vital task of defending the Iraqi oil exports. Over a period of five months he directed the activity of Task Force 58's multi-national Coalition vessels in keeping the shipping lanes open and in dispersing terrorists so that the Iraqi Navy could take charge of its territorial waters and maritime infrastructure.

Flight Lieutenant Sohail Khan is awarded a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for his relief efforts in Pakistan, the country of his parents' birth, following the earthquake in Kashmir in October 2005.

Commanding the forward element at the Pakistani Air Force Base Chaklala, Flight Lieutenant Khan, who had visited Pakistan 13 years earlier, was part of the RAF Odiham team led by 27 Sqn and which encompassed the specialist load handling skills of the Joint Helicopter Support Unit. The Odiham team's task was to support the movement of UN aid using 3 RAF Chinook heavy lift helicopters to the affected northern areas.

Daily, the RAF Chinook helicopters would arrive at Chaklala from their temporary accommodation at Quasim Army Aviation Base and be loaded by Odiham personnel with items ranging from 50 kg rice bags to metal sheets for constructing shelters. Along with his primary role of assisting with the coordination of aid tasking, Flight Lieutenant Khan's language skills allowed him to take on the role of the Liaison Officer with the Pakistani military. The RAF Odiham team made a significant contribution in moving much needed aid and the hard work and skills of the aircrew, engineers, support staff and the Joint Helicopter Support Unit drew praise from all areas concerned.

For Flight Lieutenant Khan, born in Edinburgh, the experience had been challenging but the most rewarding of his career to date. He said: "I am deeply honoured to be awarded a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for my involvement in Operation MATURIN. I was one small part of the RAF Odiham Team of 27 Squadron, the Joint Helicopter Support Unit and the Joint Helicopter Force HQ that displayed the epitome of teamwork and professionalism in helping the people of Northern Pakistan after the devastating earthquake that shook the region. I feel it as an honour to be able to accept this award on behalf of the RAF Odiham Team."

Notes to Editors

1. Awards to members of the Armed Forces are published on 8 September 2006 in the London Gazette. The ranks and other personal details shown are those current at the time the awards were recommended.

2. Photographs will be available at www.mod.uk

ARMED FORCES OPERATIONAL HONOURS

IRAQ

OBE

Captain Paul Anthony McALPINE
Royal Navy

Colonel Benjamin Peter EDWARDS
Late Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

Lieutenant Colonel Iain Graham HARRISON MBE
Royal Regiment of Artillery

MBE

Lieutenant Commander Richard Michael ALLAN
Royal Naval Reserves

Major Ronnie Liam COUTTS
Royal Regiment of Scotland

Major Simon James Peter GILDERSON
Royal Gurkha Rifles

Major Rupert Stuart Michael THORNELOE
Welsh Guards

MILITARY CROSS

Lance Corporal Trevor Raywood COULT
Royal Irish Regiment

Sergeant James Eric NEWELL
Parachute Regiment

GEORGE MEDAL

Captain Kevin Michael David IVISON
Royal Logistic Corps

Fusilier Daniel James SMITH
Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

QUEEN'S GALLANTRY MEDAL

Staff Sergeant Chris James HEWETT
Royal Logistic Corps

MENTION IN DESPATCHES

Lieutenant Edward Robert Samuel DANNATT
Grenadier Guards

Sergeant Mark Richard DENSLOW
Corps of Royal Engineers

Staff Sergeant Richard Antony EDWARDS
Royal Corps of Signals

Lieutenant Simon David FORD
Royal Regiment of Scotland

Corporal Jonathan Charles HILL
London Regiment, Territorial Army

Lance Corporal Adam Charles IRELAND
Parachute Regiment

Private Luke Nathan MEYERS
Parachute Regiment

Colour Sergeant Simon John O'BRIEN
Parachute Regiment

Flight Sergeant Samuel Francis MINCHER
Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service

QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVERY

Sergeant David Terrance BOISSEL
Royal Regiment of Artillery

QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR VALUABLE SERVICE

Lieutenant Stuart James SOMERVILLE
Royal Navy

Colonel Nicholas Guy BAVEYSTOCK
Late Corps of Royal Engineers

Captain Mark Robert GENKO
Royal Logistic Corps

Captain Richard John HOLMES
Parachute Regiment (killed in action)

Lieutenant Colonel James Michael Rooke HOPKINSON OBE
Royal Regiment of Scotland

Brigadier Patrick Claude MARRIOTT CBE
Late Queen's Royal Lancers

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Aidan John McGOVERN
Royal Irish Regiment

Major Jonathan Charles MOSS
Queen's Own Yeomanry, Territorial Army

Warrant Officer Class 2 James Edwin ROBERTS
Yorkshire Regiment

Staff Sergeant Jackson Anthony WHITE
Royal Corps of Signals

Flight Lieutenant Mark Jonathan JACKLIN
Royal Air Force

Mr Damian Peter Christian JOHNSON
Ministry of Defence

NORTHERN IRELAND

MBE

Major Colin James ORMISTON
Intelligence Corps

Warrant Officer Class 2 Arthur William REA
Royal Irish Regiment

Captain Simon John WALTON-PRINCE MC
Parachute Regiment

QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVERY

Lance Corporal Keith CHAPLIN
Corps of Royal Engineers

Sergeant Ian James SMITH
Corps of Royal Engineers

Corporal Oliver William Thomas SMITH
Parachute Regiment

QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR VALUABLE SERVICE

Warrant Officer Class 2 Alan Peter DRAKE
Royal Marines

Warrant Officer Class 1 David Ian BRADBURY
Parachute Regiment

Sergeant Peter James BROPHY
Intelligence Corps

Warrant Officer Class 2 Neil Murdoch DAVIS
Royal Regiment of Scotland

Sergeant Claire DICKSON
Intelligence Corps

Lieutenant Colonel John Patrick Simon DONNELLY OBE
Cheshire Regiment

Lieutenant Colonel Hemprakash GOSHAI MBE
Royal Army Medical Corps

Major Thomas George VALLINGS
Yorkshire Regiment

Chief Technician Ian Andrew GILL
Royal Air Force

AFGHANISTAN

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER

Wing Commander Martin Elliot SAMPSON
Royal Air Force

QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVERY

Corporal Steven Alexander HOUSTON
Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry

QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVERY IN THE AIR

Squadron Leader Gerald Rodney CHARLTON
Royal Air Force

Flight Lieutenant Matthew John DODDS
Royal Air Force

QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR VALUABLE SERVICE

Flight Lieutenant Paul Grant NEWMAN MBE
Royal Air Force

FORMER YUGOSLAVIA

QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR VALUABLE SERVICE

Warrant Officer Class 2 Daphne BRETT
Royal Corps of Signals

Captain Shaun William Mark CHANDLER
Royal Gurkha Rifles

Lance Corporal Buddhibahadur GURUNG
Royal Gurkha Rifles

CONGO

OBE

Colonel Roderick Pole WINSER
Late Royal Green Jackets

QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR VALUABLE SERVICE

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Gilbert Carew HATHERLEY
Grenadier Guards

NATIONAL OPERATIONS

OBE

Commander Mark Richard TITCOMB
Royal Navy

QUEEN'S GALLANTRY MEDAL

Sergeant Adrian Brian JONES
Royal Marines

QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR VALUABLE SERVICE

Commander Giles William Helsdon HATCH
Royal Navy

Sergeant David VICKERS
Royal Logistic Corps

Flight Lieutenant Sohail Baqa KHAN
Royal Air Force

NON-COMBATANT GALLANTRY

QUEEN'S GALLANTRY MEDAL

Leading Diver Gary John HALL

Lieutenant Jason Paul WHITE
Royal Navy

QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVERY

Marine Engineering Mechanic (Mechanical)) Lee BROCKLESBY Royal Navy

Petty Officer (Marine Engineering Mechanic (Mechanical)) Paul Mark WYNNE
Royal Navy

QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVERY IN THE AIR

Flight Lieutenant Norman Edward THREAPLETON
Royal Air Force

Flight Lieutenant Richard Mark WILSON
Royal Air Force

Both of the above are honoured for the rescue of a light civilian aircraft on 26 March 2006 when its flight instruments, navigational aids and communications became unserviceable. By superb airmanship in extremely dangerous circumstances and atrocious weather conditions the two Tornado crew members steered the civilian aircraft to safety. In doing so they probably saved the lives of the three man crew.

HONOURS FOR OVERSEAS ARMED FORCES

The Ministry of Defence also announced today that 1st Lieutenant Christian Friis Hansen, Royal Danish Army, has been mentioned in despatches for gallant and distinguished services in Iraq during the period 1 October 2005 to 31 March 2006 and Major Dennis Ritter, German Army, has been commended for valuable services on operations in Afghanistan during the period 1 October 2005 to 31 March 2006.

On 28 December 2005 1st Lieutenant Hansen, commanding his reconnaissance troop, was conducting a routine patrol in the Al Medina area of Basrah Province when it came into contact with two opposing tribes armed with rocket propelled grenades, light machine guns and small arms. From the centre of the conflict, with high risk of getting caught in cross fire, Hansen pushed the aggressors back, continuously manoeuvring his vehicles into offensive positions and maximizing the pressure on the 150 odd heavily armed tribesmen. 14 Iraqis were killed in the ensuing fighting. Had it not been for the brave and resolute action of Hansen there would have been considerably more fatalities. He displayed considerable gallantry.

On 29 October 2005 a Military Observation Team based in
Mazar-e-Sharif came under fire and its members sustained serious casualties. In the aftermath Major Ritter, who was the medical officer based with the German Implementation Team, displayed superb leadership, exceptional professional expertise and judgement and control under extremely challenging circumstances. He treated the casualties and organised the subsequent evacuation. His actions undoubtedly saved the life of one officer who had been severely injured in the attack and merit national recognition.