UK soldiers honoured for bravery overseas

More than 80 British servicemen and women are to be honoured this week for their role in operations around the world, including in Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, the former Yugoslavia and Sierra Leone.

Among those receiving honours and awards is Sergeant Paul Kelly, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, who was attached to The 1st Battalion the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and receives the Military Cross for his actions in two separate incidents in southern Iraq.

During a routine vehicle patrol on 11 February 2004, Sergeant Kelly and his men came under attack at Camp Condor in the Maysan province. Under heavy fire, Sergeant Kelly seized the initiative and led a rapid and decisive charge towards the attackers' position, subsequently imprisoning two armed bandits.

On 5 March 2004 Sergeant Kelly's patrol arrived in the village of Qal At Salih to assist another coalition force patrol who was being engaged in machine gun, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) and small arms fire with local tribesmen. Sergeant Kelly was shot in the hand and one of his Land Rovers destroyed by an RPG, wounding one of his men. Despite being injured and in severe pain, Sergeant Kelly rallied his men and set up a strong point from where they fought a close quarter battle for over two hours. Firing with his good arm, he hit several of the attackers whilst organising his men into shifts of firing, ammunition re-supply and looking after the casualty. The citation for these acts of gallantry describes Sergeant Kelly as showing "exemplary leadership" and being "truly inspirational to those around him".

The Military Cross is also awarded to Sergeant Kajiman Limbu, the Royal Gurkha Rifles, for his act of bravery in Afghanistan on 12 October 2003. Sergeant Limbu was part of six-man team that came to the aid of a US convoy that had been ambushed by anti-coalition forces in Kabul. As the firefight continued, Sergeant Limbu dashed forward to rescue a US officer who had been wounded and helped him to safety. His citation reads "During the entire incident Limbu displayed valour, courage and leadership under fire."

Away from the battlefield, Captain Jeffrey Heaps receives an MBE for his "outstanding contribution" to civilian relations in Kabul, Afghanistan. As well as having responsibility for large scale ventures, such as bridge construction and sanitation facilities, Captain Heaps spent his off duty hours and his leave raising tens of thousands of dollars and amassed and spent a total of $464,000 on 29 different projects including organising and running training sessions for the Afghan Youth Football Association.

His citation describes him as a man of "conviction, compassion and determination" who "worked ceaselessly" to improve living conditions for thousands of Afghans.

And in Sierra Leone, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Claydon receives the MBE for his "considerable part in the international community's continuing efforts to bring reconciliation and reconstruction to the war-torn country".

Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, said: "Britain's Armed Forces face significant challenges, often in difficult circumstances, in their varied roles across the globe. These honours and awards recognise the outstanding achievements of these truly extraordinary men and women and their acts of great courage, bravery and determination."

(gmcg/mb)