Santerme

Bloke walks into a brothel and says, 'I'm a bit kinky...I am into total humiliation...how much' '?37.50'says the madam. 'Great he says, what do I get for that?' 'An England shirt' she replies.

I confess to be a little lost as to the need for advice on this issue. It is a matter for the police pure and simple. Report it, I would have ten seconds after it happened!

My ex mother in law bought the cottage next door to her and got all the relevant permissions to knock through and make one larger house.. She also demolished the wall between the gardens... Being an enterprising chap, I collected the considerable amount of rubble and constructed a (if I do say so myself) rather elegant patio area and BBQ. Of course the wall was listed as well as the properties it divided and all sorts of people turned up and promised dire consequences for the wanton destruction of an historic but rather plain wall. I did contemplate inviting them to my house to relist the BBQ now in situ with wonderful 1790's brickwork, but thought it might put their noses out even further.

My eldest daughter has had two serious boyfriends....I have taken each for a drink and pre arranged to meet some old army colleagues who proceeded to tell some very tall tales to each other during the course of the evening.... Works a treat! My first girlfriend's father had a Meremma (sp)which is a fairly fierce beast...it used to sit and grin at me from about 9 inches away, the grin widening if I moved a muscle. I learnt an awful lot about self control in those sessions.

woofmarkthedog Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Oh piffle... > > Ever been to Iceland in mid winter..? > > > No, well "tornado scmornado" add - 13 degrees, an > iced up runway, then see your nipples stiffen > > Did I mention it's always nearly dark ? well 100 > KM from the North Pole and wind so strong I > entered the "twin prop" plane horizontal. Only to > find everyone keeps their coats on for the flight > over the icy mountains & volcanos like they expect > to crash > > Yeah & they do in flight stuff too, I mean who's > thinking perfume when underneath is an icy tomb > slipping by at a rate of knots > > > Jeezus, I need to lay down.. > > > Oh BTW have a good trip.. > > > W**F I really ought to link the Three Yorkshiremen video at this point...!!! Delayed jet lag, it was Four wasn't it!?

It is apparent that we come from differing sides of the debate. Clearly we each have some personal investment in the issue. I believe that stating a case, even if it appears rehashing the obvious is a fairly good starting point for intelligent discussion, and as you have found issue with some of them we have points of reference from which to steer the converation. As or the nobility of the Irish, I will declare an interest, my mother's maiden name is O'Connell and her father was a good Southern Irish Catholic.... Further to this, in Bosnia, I worked closely with the Irish forces deployed there. I, in a very small way, assisted these chaps who went out to Muslims villages night after night, in civilian clothes, against specific orders and in peril of their own lives being unarmed brought out bus loads of children from the war zone to safety.... So I am well aware of the depth of compassion incredibly hard men but decent people can have in the midst not just of bigotry, but genocide. However, normal service was not the order of the day in Northern Ireland and the men of violence exploited, intimidated and coerced normal citizens and created further division. Going back to Bosnia....people lived in perfect harmony there for generations until the situation deteriorated and neighbours became bitter mortal enemies almost overnight. And I can relate similar experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. It seems endemic to the human condition. Of course, the problem stemmed from the policies and practices implemented by the Govt in Westminster. But the end game from the British point of view was always normalisation of the situation....this was never the stated aim of the paramilitaries and especially PIRA. What concentrated the mind of Adams and McGuiness was the increasing levels of prosperity and it had them runnng for the comfort of the GFA, because they knew they were becoming marginalised and irrelevant. As in any insurgency the armed forces are there as enablers to bring about conditions where a political process can become engaged in. I always saw that as my role, I certainly had no other motivation for being there and I know of no soldier I served with who desired or enjoyed being deployed to the streets of Britsh cities under seige from terrorists. Concluding, I would add that speaking to family both in the north and the south they seem to believe we are still a generation away from real healing.

Well that cured my jet lag!

No boredom here At airport in Calgary, flight delayed by a ground stop due to tornado warning (we are right in the middle of tornado season here), but boarding soon My focus has never been sharper...let's hope the pilot's is too!

OliviaDee Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > > > 'To really see the level of callousness deeply > > embedded in the Irish psyche from it's early > days' > > is that really what you meant to say Santerme? > > i liked reading your post. i don't think i've ever > heard a soldier's personal POV before. > > > > No, that was too general and insensitive.... Ballyseedy is an extreme example of Irish on Irish violence, not through the religious divide, but political difference. My point was to illustrate the depth of depravity and disregard for human life that has existed historically....and this manifested itself in the time contemporary to my service in ways which were only different in method of execution. Our mantra and PIRA's was always to an extent, if you are going to play big boys games, expect big boys rules to come into effect. There were few saints on either side and a basketful of sinners. Widdgery was a mistake...but it has to be remembered that PIRA 'persuaded' people not to testify, whilst the soldiers were compelled to by their CoC....so there was never going to be balance and the net effect was predictable to anyone with a functioning cerebral cortex! The actual TRUTH NOW as I see it is The social and political inequalities of the 1960s have been largely addressed. The fuel that gave moral legitimacy to and fuelled bigotry has had the tap turned off. Much of the poverty along with the slums in which people lived are gone The standard of living of the average person is far higher than it was in 1969 and the Province has a higher standard of educational and academic achievement than that which exists in England and Wales. People who are educated, housed, employed and fed are less inclined to be manipulated by so-called 'leaders' than those who are not. Ordinary people have a future to look forward to. A generation not born before or during the 'troubles' are less inclined to follow the bigotry of their parents and within a few decades will outnumber them and consign them to irrelevance. The Long war is OVER, it exists now largely in the hearts of those who, within a few decades will be dead taking their bigotry and hatred to the grave and to history where it belongs. The war will continue to be fought by the middle aged Buffers who lived through it (myself included) here in cyberspace on forums like this one because back then we were young, naive and alive and we still believe that anyone in the reality of the 'here and now' gives a toss about what we think!

I was still at school in 1972, but spent three years in total running Int analysis in Northern Ireland as an officer in the army during the 80's, when I was unable to get on a course which allowed me to avoid tours there..policing a British street in full battlegear was not my idea of what I joined the army to do. This massacre was a dark stain on the honour of the army, it was simply unjustified, unjustifiable murder of innocents. 1 Para were exceptional soldiers, they were not policemen. Given that 1971 saw an unprecedented level of violence, with hundreds of gun-battles taking place all over the Province on a daily basis, the the 'hardwiring' of the Army in reacting to it, the casualties that were being sustained (with one unit with a fatality rate of one per week) together with very weak morale and externally applied legal restraint led to a great deal of what is nowadays sanitised as 'collateral damage' in which innocent civilians in Londonderry and elsewhere in the Province were deliberately killed by angry, frustrated, aggressive and frightened teenage soldiers. None of this has been adequately explored empirically but the Army at least attempted to impose a tighter regime after Bloody Sunday. It ended its practice of pre-deployment (in barracks) 'Wog Style' IS training,(yes WOG style, the Paras had redployed from the Crater district of Aden) it set up NITAT, introduced much more realistic and theatre-specific training and generally became much more professional. What is true, and needs pointing out, is that PIRA and others used human shield tactics prior and subsequent to Bloody Sunday, Kathy Feeny aged 14 was killed by an IRA gunmen firing on an army patrol whilst hiding among school children. To really see the level of callousness deeply embedded in the Irish psyche from it's early days, simply google Ballyseedy Massacre. It is difficult not to digress when discussing this subject. Suspending civil authority on the streets of a British town was unforgiveable stupidity on behalf of those sitting in Westminster clueless on how to restore the rule of law to the streets. I personally do not give a toss for the soldier or the policeman who believes that his uniform gives him a licence to murder, neither do I care very much for any organisation or official, whatever his rank that is complicit in murder by protecting the individual from the coercive jurisdiction of the court. I do know that many thousands of soldiers who stood behind Macralon shields behaved with impecable restraint and who used minimum force to restore the rule of law and deserve the respect they got for it. To suggest that an individual against whom a prima facie case of murder is made out, be allowed to undermine what they were attempting to achieve and in so doing destroying the very basis upon which lawful force is used by the state is risible in the extreme. If the inquiry had not made it impossible to have a fair trial then they should have been held to account before a court of law. We are also applying 2010 analysis to a 1972 situation, things were a little less touchy feely then....it's like Life on Mars reversed.

Having been a nomad much of my adult life....and having ONLY kept a home in my Dorset village for 15 years, it is nice to at least feel as though I have roots somewhere!

KidKruger Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > but....who ARE the 'real people of East Dulwich' ? Is it like being a Man of Kent or Kentish Man? I was born in East Dulwich in 1958, do I qualify as one or other?

KD Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Santerme Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Please do not let this thread be over.... > > > > It's almost as good as discussing with my > friend > > in Tucson about his state's new statute on > > immigration > > > Don?t worry there will be a sequel, very soon. Or two... So I think they will get the Home Office and Scotland as cabinet posts...so no real need to worry then!

That's not true, surely!

Please do not let this thread be over.... It's almost as good as discussing with my friend in Tucson about his state's new statute on immigration

sally676 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > OMG. Don?t say anything bad about libdems or you > will be banished to the bowels of EDF lounge. Just > bin kick out of all rooms but this one. > > Fcuk me, genghis khan was subtler. No Bob Hope.....just replace Democrats with Lib Dems Ok, that's better

They deserve each other by the looks of that incident...knobs!

I have read S L A Marshall book Men Against Fire and it contains some interesting points....however, I think we have to take with a pinch of salt most of his findings as he was liberal with the truth about his experiences. I know he used to address the US War College, but his 'experiences' are somewhat outdated now. In terms of war becoming a video game, there are aspects which have devolved to that experience for the operators..RAF officers fly drones over AFG from the air conditioned luxury of a US airbase in the Nevada desert...to them, the bad guys are extremely remote. I can see the disconnect happening there. I am guessing one of your examples from previous conflicts could allude to RAF bomber crews carpet bombing German cities...and to an extent their targets were even more remote....no satellite imagery, or wounded crawling away on a cathode ray screen... But factor in also, they had a one in two chance of survival. Today's video warriors most dangerous mission is driving into work.

I found that whole episode completely disturbing and almost sickening. Clearly these individuals were oblivious to the presence of the Apaches, there were more than one firing on the film. Therefore there was not an imminent threat to those in the air.. Ground elements were 8 minutes away, which suggests a mile maybe more from the event site, so there was not immediate danger to them either. In that situation as the OC, I would not have given permission for the helicopters to open fire in the first place. I would have directed ground elements to the scene to determine the intent of the people located there. When the van arrived on the scene, it was clearly not collecting weapons, it's entire focus was on the one casualty still moving. I cannot rationalise the order to fire on it... It would have been easy to bring it to a halt at a mobile VCP and check those in the vehicle. All in all a shocking and unnecessary waste of human life.

Ah Saturday morning pictures...it's all coming back to me!

The answer is yes This unrepentent incompetent person failed and failed again Is this not the same person who joyously reported achieving all the national targets for her dept? So she is either a liar or incompetent or probably both What a great human being to have in charge of 'lierally' peoples lives and welfare

Having returned from three weeks in the States and being subjected to loony tunes like Beck, Hannity, Limbaugh and the gorgeous yet obtuse (for a Stanford girl)Gretchen Carlson....I walk into a Presidential style debate. All of the players looked quite second rate and Brown just oozed incompetance, Cameron was bland, Clegg used the old talk to the camera (people) ploy, but actually sounded half awake compared to the other two. It was all a bit of a farrago, not very British and frankly a waste of time, so first and last one for me. And personally, I am beyond the point of caring who wins anyway. The last events I can think of that made major changes to the UK, were the advent of the Welfare State, joining the EEC (as was) and Thatcher selling off councils housing and curbing the unions.....what's happened since of fundamental importance...wars aside?

The Ministry of Defence announced 146 awards for valour and distinguished service, mainly in AFG on Friday. It included 2 George Crosses and two George Medals, a host of Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses and a number of Military Crosses. The citations for these awards make both grim and breathtaking reading. It is not my purpose here to pass comment on the rights or wrongs of the conflict, hence locating the thread in the Lounge. I pay tribute to those who daily lives have been, are and will continue to be exposed minute to minute to imminent peril. A small sample of the people who stand firm on the front line and belie the old saying. 'they don't make them like that anymore'. in my experience we always have. Staff Sergeant Kim Hughes and the late Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, both from the Royal Logistic Corps, were deployed to Helmand province as part of 19 Light Brigade, which was deployed to Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 10 between March and November 2009. The brigade's deployment saw noticeable UK progress in Helmand, largely as a result of Operation PANCHAI PALANG (PANTHER'S CLAW), a counter-insurgency operation which saw an area the size of the Isle of Wight seized from insurgent control, enabling security and governance to develop. The insurgency however was far more intense and lethal than on any previous HERRICK operation and particularly in their use of IEDs. As High Threat Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Operators, Staff Sergeant Hughes and Staff Sergeant Schmid were at the forefront of trying to neutralise this lethal threat. SSgt Hughes's actions are described in his citation as 'the single most outstanding act of explosive ordnance disposal ever recorded in Afghanistan'. A particular incident on 16 August 2009 is referred to when he was tasked to provide close support to the 2nd Battalion The Rifles Battle Group during an operation to clear a route south west of Sangin. In preparation for the operation, some soldiers deployed early to secure an emergency helicopter landing site and isolate compounds to the south of the route as part of the inner cordon. During these moves a soldier was very seriously injured by an IED and as he was being recovered another IED exploded, killing two personnel outright and resulting in four more very serious casualties, one of whom later died from his wounds. The area was effectively an IED minefield, overwatched by the enemy, and the section were stranded within it. SSgt Hughes and his team were called in to extract the casualties and recover the bodies. Without specialist protective clothing in order to save time, SSgt Hughes set about clearing a path to the injured, providing constant reassurance that help was on its way. On reaching the first badly injured soldier he discovered a further IED within one metre of the casualty that, given their proximity, constituted a grave and immediate threat to the lives of all the casualties. SSgt Hughes calmly carried out a manual neutralisation of the device; any error would have proved instantly fatal. This was a 'Category A' action only conducted in one of two circumstances: a hostage scenario where explosives have been strapped to an innocent individual; and a mass casualty event where not taking action is certain to result in further casualties. Both place the emphasis on saving other people's lives even, if necessary, at the expense of the operator. His citation states: 'It was an extraordinary act'. With shots keeping the enemy at bay, SSgt Hughes coolly turned his attention to reaching the remaining casualties and retrieving the dead. Clearing a path forward he discovered two further IEDs and, twice more, carried out manual neutralisation, enabling all the casualties to be extracted and the bodies recovered. After this the Royal Engineers Search Team detected a further four IEDs in the immediate area and, stoically, like he had on over 80 other occasions in the previous five months, SSgt Hughes set about disposing of them too. His citation states: "Dealing with any form of IED is dangerous; to deal with seven IEDs linked in a single circuit, in a mass casualty scenario, using manual neutralisation techniques once, never mind three times, is the single most outstanding act of explosive ordnance disposal ever recorded in Afghanistan. "That he did it without the security of specialist protective clothing serves even more to demonstrate his outstanding gallantry. Hughes is unequivocally deserving of the highest level of public recognition." SSgt Schmid's citation describes how he personally dealt with 70 confirmed improvised explosive devices. He served in Helmand from June 2009 until his death in action on 31 October 2009. His disposal of IEDs involved him typically having to deploy on foot, thereby precluding the option of specialist protective equipment and severely limiting the use of remote-controlled vehicles. He spent long periods of time in close proximity to IEDs and in the gravest personal danger. Before his death in action he responded to 42 IED tasks, personally dealing with 70 confirmed IEDs. Amongst these incidents was an 11-hour clearance which took place when an infantry company based in Wishtan province was isolated by a substantial minefield, and the infamous 'Pharmacy Road', the only resupply route, was blocked by a medium-wheeled tractor and another vehicle, both blown up by very large IEDs. Intelligence, unenviable first-hand experience and numerous unexplained explosions indicated that the area of the stricken vehicles was laced with IEDs. At 0800hrs on 9 August 2009, as temperatures soared past 45 degrees Celsius, SSgt Schmid started work. Within only a hundred metres he found and cleared an IED and once, within 100 metres of the vehicles, he deployed a remote-controlled vehicle that struck an IED and was destroyed. SSgt Schmid then moved forward and, well inside the most lethal arc of any device, manually placed explosive charges, clearing a route to within five metres of the vehicles. His team then moved to clear a compound adjacent to the stricken vehicles to drag them off the road. When a second IED was found, SSgt Schmid made another manual approach and rapidly got rid of it. A new approach to the vehicles from the compound was explosively created for the hulks to be dragged clear. SSgt Schmid painstakingly cleared up to both vehicles and his first trip took an hour. He was relying on his eyesight and his understanding of enemy tactics alone. Despite the threat, SSgt Schmid again decided against explosive clearance; time was critical so he placed heavy and cumbersome chains onto the stricken vehicles, the riskiest of enterprises given the very high likelihood of booby traps, and the vehicles were finally dragged clear. As the light started to fade, SSgt Schmid then personally led a high risk clearance of the road where the vehicles had been, manually disposing of two further IEDs. The clearance had lasted 11 hours. It was physically, mentally and emotionally draining, but the road was open and the company resupplied. The resounding success of this battle group operation was entirely due to the heroic, selfless acts of SSgt Schmid. On another occasion, on 8 October 2009, SSgt Schmid was tasked in Sangin district centre to deal with an artillery shell. On arrival he immediately realised that the many unsuspecting civilians around him in the bustling bazaar were in peril. Time was not on his side. He quickly assessed that the shell was in fact part of a live radio-controlled IED intended to cause maximum casualties in a well populated area. The nature of the device also meant it was almost certainly overwatched by the bomber controlling it. Without any consideration for his own safety, SSgt Schmid immediately decided to neutralise the IED manually. To do this he knew he was employing a render safe procedure that should only ever be employed in the gravest of circumstances and which is conducted at the highest personal risk to the operator. In an instant, SSgt Schmid made the most courageous decision possible, consciously placing his own life on the line in order to save the lives of countless Afghan civilians and demonstrating bravery of the highest order and well beyond the call of duty. SSgt Schmid was killed during an operation near Forward Operating Base Jackson. Having dealt with three IEDs already that day, he and his team were transiting to another compound when a searcher discovered a command wire running down the alleyway they were in. SSgt Schmid and his team were trapped in the alleyway with no safe route forward or back as they did not know in which direction the IED was situated. Knowing that his team was in potential danger, he immediately took action to reduce the hazard. SSgt Schmid eventually traced the wire to a complex command wire IED in that it incorporated three linked, buried main charges. He was killed whilst dealing with the device. His citation states: "Schmid's actions on that fateful day, when trapped in an alleyway with no safe means of escape, probably saved the lives of his team. "These occasions are representative of the complexity and danger that Schmid had faced daily throughout his four-month tour. "His selfless gallantry, his devotion to duty, and his indefatigable courage, displayed time and time again, saved countless military and civilian lives and is worthy of the highest recognition." Distinguished Service Order (DSO) Major Giles Richard HARRIS, MBE, WELSH GUARDS, Company Commander, Nad E Ali, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, April - September 2009 Major Harris was a Company Commander in Helmand between April and September 2009. Major Harris's fearless approach and determination to close with the enemy would in itself be worthy of recognition, but he also captured a Taliban stronghold, opened a school there and changed the dynamics of an entire area for the better through his personal leadership, which makes him quite extraordinary. This amazingly courageous officer put his life at risk time and again to achieve his mission and inspire his men. For his service, Major Harris is awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Acting Colonel Robert John THOMSON, MBE, The Rifles, Commanding Officer Battle Group North, Helmand Province, April - October 2009 As the Commanding Officer of 2 Rifles in Helmand between April and October 2009, Lieutenant Colonel Thomson led the fight in Sangin. Through brilliant leadership, he ensured that all members of his Battle Group remained focused and ultimately succeeded against a resurgent and agile insurgency. His resilience and determination, under quite unbelievable pressure, marked him out. For his service, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson is awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Associate Royal Red Cross Medal (ARRC) Captain Gail Lesley WHITTLE, Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps, Nursing Officer, Camp Bastion, April - October 2009 Between April and October 2009, Captain Whittle provided critical continuity during an exceptionally busy tour. Captain Whittle was the key clinical success factor for emergency platelet and blood donation during the time of both 202 Field Hospital and the Danish Hospital Squadron. She used her leadership, tact and diplomacy to ensure that all nationalities worked collaboratively while encouraging the highest nursing standards within a UK governance framework. For her service, Captain Whittle is appointed as an Associate of The Royal Red Cross. Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) Sergeant Alan Gordon DENNIS, The Mercian Regiment, Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team, Team Second in Command, Helmand Province, April 2009 Sergeant Dennis was second in command of an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) operating from Patrol Base (PB) Jaker, near Nawa. His team was deployed to conduct a joint patrol with Warriors of the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) and whilst patrolling the Helmand River Valley his patrol was ambushed. His example and initiative brought the ANA into the battle which saved the patrol from defeat. He was calm and collected under intense fire and displayed cool courage. Gunner Steven William GADSBY, The Royal Regiment of Artillery, Fire Support Team Signaller, Helmand Province, May 2009 In May 2009, Gunner Gadsby was serving as a signaller with a Fire Support Team based in Check Point Haji Alem in the Nad-e-Ali area of Helmand. He was part of a routine foot patrol when it came under attack and sustained two casualties. His decision to collect and carry them individually across an Infantry Foot Bridge in view of the enemy, rather than to cross the canal in cover, gave the two casualties the very best chance of survival by getting them to medical aid as quickly as possible. For his actions that day Gunner Gadsby is awarded The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. Sergeant Marc Kevin GILES, The Mercian Regiment, Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team, Team Second in Command, Helmand Province, June 2009 In June 2009, Sergeant Giles was on a joint patrol with Warriors of the Afghan National Army (ANA) in Basharan to the north of Lashkar Gar when they were ambushed by the Taliban. His Commander was trapped in the killing zone and Sergeant Giles took command. Within minutes, an ANA Warrior forward with the OMLT commander was seriously wounded. Sergeant Giles dashed across open ground grabbed the casualty, threw him over his shoulders and ran with him back across the killing zone and to the emergency rendezvous. As a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) drew close to the fight, Sergeant Giles went to guide them with 2 Warriors but was almost immediately blown off his feet and thrown violently against a compound wall. Composed, calm and fully aware of the danger the entire patrol faced, he ordered the QRF to halt, coordinated the patrol's defence and, still recovering from the effects of the bomb blast, and under sporadic small arms fire, personally conducted a clearance to mark a safe route to marry up the patrol with the QRF. Sergeant Giles's actions were selfless and courageous and in recognition he is awarded The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. Serjeant Jaime MONCHO, The Rifles, Platoon Serjeant, Helmand Province, July 2009 Serjeant Moncho was with the rear section of a platoon's patrol when, there was an ear-shattering blast which was immediately followed up by accurate small-arms fire. Ignoring the incoming fire, Moncho raced forward to the site of the explosion to find that his lead section had been ripped apart by the explosion. Moncho immediately gripped the situation, barking short sharp orders at his team. He then turned his attention to the casualties, personally leading the triage, and delegating troops to treat the casualties. Once he saw that the evacuation was underway, Moncho gathered the remnants of his platoon together and established a fire-base from which he could protect those returning to base. His supreme courage in the face of the most testing of circumstances was exemplary and his personal actions steadied all those around him. Lance Bombardier Gary PROUT, The Royal Regiment of Artillery, Fire Support Team, Helmand Province, March 2009 In March 2009, Lance Bombardier Prout was deployed with a patrol to probe the Taliban's forward defences as part of a Fire Support Team (FST). It was the most dangerous terrain within the Company's Area of Operations and every patrol would came under effective and sustained insurgent attack. For the duration of this event Lance Bombardier Prout consciously risked his life, on three separate occasions, and it was a miracle he was not killed. He displayed the most incredible courage which goes beyond that normally expected of a NCO in the face of the enemy and surpassed the actions of any other soldier on that day. For his outstanding courage in attempting to save a mortally wounded colleague, who tragically later died, Lance Bombardier Prout is awarded The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. Lance Corporal Kyle Patrick SMITH, The Mercian Regiment, Section Second in Command, Helmand Province, July 2009 In July 2009, Lance Corporal Smith's platoon was ambushed by insurgents from a well sited and strong position. The ambush was initiated by a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) strike, as a consequence of which, several soldiers in Smith's section became casualties. Lance Corporal Smith moved to the nearest casualty, administered first aid and dragged him into cover. In the process of doing so he knowingly and with great courage had to expose himself to heavy insurgent fire over 100 or so metres of open ground. Having reached the safety of cover and ensured that the casualty was secure he immediately returned to extract a further casualty, once again placing himself in the line of fire, pausing only to return fire at insurgent positions. He successfully dragged his comrade to safety. Without the selfless, brave and timely actions of this young NCO, two of the casualties from the initial engagement would have remained exposed to the enemy and undoubtedly suffered further injury. For his conduct that day, Lance Corporal Smith is awarded The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. Military Cross (MC) Warrant Officer Class 2 Mathew Robert TOMLINSON, CGC, Royal Marines, Group Sergeant Major, Basharan, Nr Lashkar Gar, Helmand Province, May 2009 In May of last year, as Sergeant Major of the Armoured Support Group, Warrant Officer 2 Tomlinson had deployed forward to visit a troop operating within the area of operations. He was the vehicle controller of the second vehicle in a packet of five Viling. The lead Viking struck a substantial explosive device that blew the front and rear cab 20 metres apart, followed immediately by heavy, and accurate small arms fire, as well as rocket propelled grenade fire. Tomlinson dismounted and moved forward to the casualties arriving at the burning front cab he began to search for casualties, despite ammunition exploding in the fire he found the driver on the ground and assisted by another Viking Operator, administered life saving first aid close to the burning cab with continuous enemy fire impacting around them. His calm, confident leadership reassured and stabilised several chaotic situations. He was directly responsible for saving the life of the driver and organising an ordered extraction that day. For his conduct, Warrant Officer 2 Tomlinson is awarded the Military Cross. Corporal Craig ADKIN, The Mercian Regiment, Company Medic, Babaji, Helmand Province, July 2009 In July 2009 Corporal Adkin was on patrol with his Company in Babajii. Following a Rocket Propelled Grenade strike, Corporal Adkin, the company medic, immediately pushed forward to locate the casualties and exposed himself to great danger. Having assessed the situation, he decided to run across 100 metres of open ground under fire in order to reach and treat the casualties. Knowing that further casualties remained in the killing area, he again crossed the open ground which was still under heavy fire, in order to provide first aid and triage to the other casualties. Subsequently, all casualties were safely extracted and the insurgent position destroyed. His selfless and courageous actions have undoubtedly saved lives during the tour and he has placed himself in the most dangerous areas throughout. For his actions that day, Corporal Adkin is awarded the Military Cross. Captain Edward Robert BROWN, The Mercian Regiment, Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT), Team Commander, Jaker, Helmand Province, March - July 2009 Captain Brown commanded an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) at Patrol Base (PB) Jaker in Nawa, an isolated location no more than 500 metres away in all directions from the enemy's forward line. The only manoeuvre force was Brown's OMLT and a platoon of Warriors from the Afghan National Army (ANA). Brown's bravery and commitment were sustained for months, he took the fight to the enemy at every opportunity and his leadership inspired the OMLT and ANA. Major Jo BUTTERFILL, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Company Commander, FOB Nolay, Helmand Province, April - October 2009 During his tour in Helmand between April and October 2009 Major Butterfill's company endured 12 lED strikes but crucially found a staggering 63 devices. Major Butterfill's operations have been characterised by a robust offensive spirit. Taking the fight to the enemy his personal example to his Fusiliers was inspirational. His courageous actions, reflected his position as an inspirational leader of men under the most testing of combat situations. For his actions in Helmand, Major Butterfill is awarded the Military Cross. Corporal Steven Graham CHILDS, The Rifles, Acting Platoon Serjeant, Helmand Province, June 2009 Corporal Childs found himself as Acting Platoon Serjeant following an explosion which killed one of his Riflemen and blew out the ear drums of his Platoon Serjeant. Ten days later he was to find himself as Platoon Commander when his was mortally wounded by an lED concealed in a compound roof. Childs steadied the Platoon and personally led them back into the security of the Forward Operating Base. For a seasoned Platoon Serjeant these actions would have been extraordinary. For a Corporal they were exemplary - his leadership, exceptional determination, decisiveness and compassion were way above and beyond that which would reasonably be expected of a Junior Non Commissioned Officer of his experience. Corporal Richard CLARK, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Aviation Assault Company Section Commander, Southern Afghanistan, July - October 2009 Corporal Clark served as a Section Commander in Afghanistan between July and October 2009. On one occasion, Corporal Clark led his section in an attack on an enemy machine-gun nest. Corporal Clark sized up the situation and, one after the other, fired two 66 mm rockets at the enemy. Corporal Clark's speed of thought alerted him to the need to act quickly and decisively before the enemy infiltrated any closer. Displaying exemplary courage, leadership and initiative, he left the relative safety of the compound and led his section across open ground to clear the enemy from the position. In this incident and others Corporal Clark's instinctive courage in the face of the enemy and leadership have ensured the success of the mission. For his service, Corporal Clark is awarded the Military Cross. Major Neil Darren GRANT, The Mercian Regiment, Officer Commanding Brigade Reconnaissance Force, Helmand Province, March - October 2009 As a junior Major, Grant has trained and led the Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF) through some of the most dangerous and bold operations on Op HERRICK 10. He has conducted operations deep within insurgent-controlled areas and has been at the forefront of deliberate operations - most notably during Op PANCHAI PALANG. The BRF has had a massively disproportionate effect to its relative small size - in defeating elements of the insurgency. Grant's leadership under fire and persistent courage has been exemplary. Lieutenant Tresham Dames Rowley GREGG, The Light Dragoons, Troop Leader, Helmand Province, July 2009 In July 2009, Lieutenant Gregg led a mixed troop of reconnaissance vehicles and dismounted soldiers attached to a rifle company during Operation PANCHAI PALANG. Lieutenant Gregg insisted on leading from the front; resolute and firm in his determination to take the fight to the enemy at all costs. His courage, forthright leadership and determination to complete the mission in the face of heavy casualties were pivotal to the success of the operation. His bravery, leadership and the outstanding personal example he set have all been exemplary. For his service Lieutenant Gregg is awarded the Military Cross. Major Karl Christian HICKMAN, The Rifles, Company Commander, Helmand Province, April - October 2009 Major Hickman has personally led his Riflemen out time after time; his men have never once shirked their responsibility and met the challenge head-on inflicting significant damage on the enemy whenever the opportunity presented itself. His leadership and personal courage has been exemplary throughout a harrowing six months; his men clearly derived strength from his gallantry under attack from both lEDs and the small arms fire which often accompanied the blast. Lieutenant William James Archie HIGNETT, The Rifles, Platoon Commander, Sangin, Helmand Province, April - October 2009 Hignett's Platoon discovered over 44 lEDs in its three months in Wishtan and yet hardly suffered a casualty - testimony to Hignett's professional leadership, thorough preparation and his superb grasp of the enemy's tactics and techniques. For six gruelling months his actions have been characterised by distinction and a startling gallantry against a ruthless enemy. His inspiring leadership has been extraordinary and he has never waivered. Private Alexander Robert KENNEDY, The Mercian Regiment, Rifleman, Helmand Province, June 2009 Private Kennedy was involved in his company's deliberate operation to clear an area of Garmsir. His multiple suddenly came under ferocious small arms fire, a fellow soldier, was caught in the first burst and dropped to the floor shot through the legs. Kennedy immediately crawled to the injured man and administered first aid. Taking control of the rest of the section, he directed their fire and ensured that they were engaging the enemy positions. This suppressed the enemy, allowed the casualty to be extracted and the rest of the multiple to move into cover. This is all the more impressive from a private soldier with six months experience in the Army. Kennedy acted with a level of leadership and situational awareness far above that expected of a private soldier, demonstrating selfless bravery and a cool head under fire. Corporal Paul Edward MATHER, Army Air Corps, Company Forward Air Controller, Helmand Province, June 2009 Corporal Mather was a member of a joint ISAF/ANA patrol when a number of IEDs were discovered. The platoon went to ground but very shortly afterwards but they came under attack from grenades, that caused several fragmentation casualties, including Corporal Mather, who was the most seriously wounded. Realising that the situation was desperate and despite heavy bleeding and considerable pain, Corporal Mather crawled into cover and immediately began to request air support. He refused to relinquish his radio until he was placed aboard the helicopter. Badly wounded, he showed complete disregard for his own safety and well-being. He focused solely on delivering the accurate fire support needed to extract his comrades from danger, acts of the utmost professionalism and selflessness, in close contact with the enemy. For his actions, Corporal Mather is awarded the Military Cross. Lieutenant Alexander John PHILLIPS, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Rifle Platoon Commander, Helmand Province, April - August 2009 Lieutenant Phillips has conducted nine aviation assaults since arrival in theatre. Throughout, Phillips' leadership has been exemplary. For example, his company conducted an aviation assault into the area of Yakchal to disrupt an insurgent grouping. With the break-in Platoon fixed dealing with an Improvised Explosive Device (lED), Phillips without any prompting, instinctively led one of his sections under fire to launch an assault on the compound. He gave the order to fix bayonets and led the assault through the gate, the aggressiveness and speed of Phillips' counterattack forced the insurgents to flee. He led his men fearlessly and with conviction in the face of a very real danger and he led, as ever, from the front. Corporal Christopher Sean REYNOLDS, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Sniper Commander, Babaji District, Helmand Province, April - September 2009 Corporal Reynolds has repeatedly demonstrated extreme bravery and outstanding technical ability as a Sniper Commander during offensive operations in Southern Afghanistan. On one occasion, Reynolds exposed himself in order to personally observe the insurgent firing point, realising the imminent danger that the enemy posed, Reynolds engaged with his sniper rifle until he ran out of ammunition, he then grabbed an SA8O, stood up in the face of considerable enemy fire and continued to suppress the enemy. He then picked up a Light Machine Gun and again, fully exposed to the enemy fire, engaged from the rooftop. Throughout the tour, Reynolds has shown extraordinary bravery, whilst understanding the risks to which he was exposed. Corporal Craig Richard SHARP, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Section Commander, Helmand Province, August 2009 Corporal Sharp was the lead section commander, responsible for providing flank protection for the lED disposal team who were clearing a route for the Jackal reconnaissance vehicles. As Sharp's team began climbing over compound walls into the main street of the village, the enemy opened fire with machine guns and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs). The nature of the terrain was such that the rest of the BRF were unable to provide much fire support, which resulted in Sharp having to lead his section through what became a desperate 12 hour struggle for the village. Sharp, cajoling and encouraging his section, personally moving back and forth to carry out ammunition re-supplies and water replenishments. He called for a mortar mission less than 80 metres from his position, successfully destroying several of the enemy. Warrant Officer Class 2 Simon Nicholas THOMPSON, The Rifles, Company Serjeant Major, Upper Sangin Valley, Helmand Province, April - October 2009 Warrant Officer Class Two Thompson's personal courage has been an inspiration to every man in his Company every single day of a long and gruelling six months. Thompson has been a leader of utter selflessness and an extraordinary example in the highest traditions of the British Army. His actions as Serjeant Major of a Company which has endured such terrible casualties and been in the forefront of the most challenging of operations for a relentless six months, has been inspirational. Lance Sergeant Matthew Philip TURRALL, The Irish Guards, Team Commander within the Laskah Gah Operations Company, Lashkar Gah Helmand Province, May 2009 Lance Sergeant Turrall is a Section Commander within IX Company, which was responsible for an area around Lashkar Gah. Turrall's Section was at the forefront of activities, facing life threatening danger over a prolonged period, tasked to guard a new Patrol Base. The insurgents launched a major attack against it and a civilian car had been caught up in what was by now a very fierce and intense fire fight between the ISAF soldiers in the Patrol Base and the insurgents to the North. Within the car were a father and his three children, and showing outstanding initiative, Turrall ran out, in full view of the enemy and with no thought for himself, he shepherded them to safety. His act that day was a physical embodiment of our mission to improve the lives of the Afghan people. George Medal (GM) Rifleman Paul Raymond JACOBS, The Rifles, Rifleman, Upper Sangin Valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan Whilst on patrol with his Vallon mine detector, Rifleman Jacobs was leading his patrol up one of the most heavily IEDd stretches of road in the whole of Afghanistan. An alleyway had been isolated to deny the enemy the opportunity to attack by command wire and a member of his Company was clearing south down the alley-way when there was an enormous explosion resulting in the soldier being fatally wounded. Rifleman Jacobs, all alone less a single cover man, immediately set about clearing up to and around the body. As he did so, he confirmed that a secondary device was lying on the surface. As he moved back up the alleyway towards his cover man who had now come forward, another device suddenly exploded, killing his comrade. Rifleman Jacobs was seriously wounded, suffering severe fragmentation damage to his eyes but bleeding heavily from multiple wounds, he had the presence of mind and experience to drag himself back onto the safe route he had just cleared and into a position where his extraction would be safer to others. His sheer personal courage and startling determination, unswerving courage, selflessness, devotion to duty and dedication to his comrades was faultless. For his action Rifleman Jacobs is awarded The George Medal. Captain Daniel Marc SHEPHERD (Killed in action), The Royal Logistic Corps, High Threat IEDD Operator, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, June 2009 In June 2009 Captain Shepherd and his team were deployed to provide close support to the Regional Battle Group (South) in Helmand. Following an aviation assault with A Company his Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) Team were tasked to conduct an Improvised Explosive Device (lED) clearance of a known drugs bazaar and insurgent high threat area. Captain Shepherd led his team through a continuous explosive ordnance disposal operation in which he personally, and at huge self-risk, rendered safe, exploited and disposed of 13 separate lEDs. Operating without the benefit of a remote controlled vehicle, a protective EOD suit or specialist Electronic Counter Measure equipment, Captain Shepherd relied on his technical expertise and completed over 20 manual approaches and countless fingertip searches to deal with 13 victim operated devices in 36 hours of unbroken activity. During this time he was under sporadic enemy fire and used only manual clearance means. He was an inspiration to his team; his personal actions directly and demonstrably saved the lives of innumerable Afghans, Coalition and British forces before he made the ultimate sacrifice. For his actions that day, Captain Shepherd is posthumously awarded the George Medal.

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