The Military Workshop
1st Lieutenant
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2005
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From todays Sunday Mail.
Lance Corporal James Ashworth given nation's highest honour for bravery
Soldier, 23, showed incredible heroism during firefight in Afghanistan Deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire to shield colleagues
Only tenth member of British Army to receive VC since Second World War
The British soldier awarded the Victoria Cross for extraordinary courage died after killing three Taliban fighters at close-quarters when he became cut off from his colleagues, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Lance Corporal James Ashworth, of Kettering, Northants, was leading a 25-man reconnaissance patrol through an enemy-occupied village in Helmand Province last June when they were attacked by insurgents firing rifles and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).
He responded by charging towards the mud huts where the Taliban were taking cover. By deliberately offering himself as a target, he distracted their attention from his colleagues marching in single file behind.
This action, and an incredible last stand that followed, persuaded senior officers to recommend the soldier – known by his friends as a ‘gentle giant’ – for the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest medal for gallantry.
Having repelled a succession of attacks by Taliban fighters, L/Cpl Ashworth, 23, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, found himself isolated and outnumbered. But he took on the insurgents as they advanced. However, he stood no chance when a grenade was launched towards his position.
After the battle, his body was recovered from the village in Nahr-e Saraj district to Camp Bastion, the main British base in Helmand.
Later that day, Grenadiers officers met to discuss his citation. A regimental source said last night: ‘L/Cpl Ashworth’s bravery was so exemplary that support for his VC nomination was unanimous.
Last night, his father Duane Ashworth, a former Grenadier who runs a holiday park in Eastchurch, Kent, said: ‘We are all immensely proud of what James has done and what he’s achieved as a brother, son and uncle.
‘There are conflicting stories of what happened when he was killed and we are waiting for the full details to emerge at his inquest.’ Friends also paid tribute to him. Bar worker Richard Miller, 23, said: ‘It is still very difficult to accept he’s gone, but this award brings some comfort.
‘I am not surprised that James was leading the way because he was a very brave man who always put others before himself. I used to call him the gentle giant because he was huge but always so friendly.’
Roofer Liam Black, 23, added: ‘I am really proud of James’s Victoria Cross. When I found out what happened I could just imagine him putting himself at risk for his mates.’
L/Cpl Ashworth, joined the Army in 2006 aged 17. Following basic training at Catterick, he joined the Grenadiers’ Nijmegen company and began ceremonial duties in London. After serving in the Guards Parachute Platoon, he transferred to the Grenadier Guards’ Reconnaissance Platoon. He died halfway through his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The Victoria Cross for ‘most conspicuous bravery’ has been awarded just ten times (for the British) since the Second World War, with this VC only the second from the conflict in Afghanistan.
The Mail web page today also has an interesting story about bullets -
SAS to use bigger bullets to kill enemy outright after claiming 'shoot-to-wound' policy put their lives at risk
Bullets upgrade recommended in top-secret report on SAS operations
Authors describe clashes with Taliban who ignore bullet wounds and carry on shooting
Seems SAS been using a lower calibre bullet that is not so likely to kill.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ot-wound-policy-lives-risk.html#ixzz2NmwEEQYx
Brett
Lance Corporal James Ashworth given nation's highest honour for bravery
Soldier, 23, showed incredible heroism during firefight in Afghanistan Deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire to shield colleagues
Only tenth member of British Army to receive VC since Second World War
The British soldier awarded the Victoria Cross for extraordinary courage died after killing three Taliban fighters at close-quarters when he became cut off from his colleagues, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Lance Corporal James Ashworth, of Kettering, Northants, was leading a 25-man reconnaissance patrol through an enemy-occupied village in Helmand Province last June when they were attacked by insurgents firing rifles and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).
He responded by charging towards the mud huts where the Taliban were taking cover. By deliberately offering himself as a target, he distracted their attention from his colleagues marching in single file behind.
This action, and an incredible last stand that followed, persuaded senior officers to recommend the soldier – known by his friends as a ‘gentle giant’ – for the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest medal for gallantry.
Having repelled a succession of attacks by Taliban fighters, L/Cpl Ashworth, 23, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, found himself isolated and outnumbered. But he took on the insurgents as they advanced. However, he stood no chance when a grenade was launched towards his position.
After the battle, his body was recovered from the village in Nahr-e Saraj district to Camp Bastion, the main British base in Helmand.
Later that day, Grenadiers officers met to discuss his citation. A regimental source said last night: ‘L/Cpl Ashworth’s bravery was so exemplary that support for his VC nomination was unanimous.
Last night, his father Duane Ashworth, a former Grenadier who runs a holiday park in Eastchurch, Kent, said: ‘We are all immensely proud of what James has done and what he’s achieved as a brother, son and uncle.
‘There are conflicting stories of what happened when he was killed and we are waiting for the full details to emerge at his inquest.’ Friends also paid tribute to him. Bar worker Richard Miller, 23, said: ‘It is still very difficult to accept he’s gone, but this award brings some comfort.
‘I am not surprised that James was leading the way because he was a very brave man who always put others before himself. I used to call him the gentle giant because he was huge but always so friendly.’
Roofer Liam Black, 23, added: ‘I am really proud of James’s Victoria Cross. When I found out what happened I could just imagine him putting himself at risk for his mates.’
L/Cpl Ashworth, joined the Army in 2006 aged 17. Following basic training at Catterick, he joined the Grenadiers’ Nijmegen company and began ceremonial duties in London. After serving in the Guards Parachute Platoon, he transferred to the Grenadier Guards’ Reconnaissance Platoon. He died halfway through his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The Victoria Cross for ‘most conspicuous bravery’ has been awarded just ten times (for the British) since the Second World War, with this VC only the second from the conflict in Afghanistan.
The Mail web page today also has an interesting story about bullets -
SAS to use bigger bullets to kill enemy outright after claiming 'shoot-to-wound' policy put their lives at risk
Bullets upgrade recommended in top-secret report on SAS operations
Authors describe clashes with Taliban who ignore bullet wounds and carry on shooting
Seems SAS been using a lower calibre bullet that is not so likely to kill.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ot-wound-policy-lives-risk.html#ixzz2NmwEEQYx
Brett
