Royal Anglian Regiment - Operational Honours - 14 medals

The Ministry of Defence today announced the Operational Honours list for April to October 2007. Six soldiers from 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, the Vikings, have been decorated with MCs for exemplary gallantry and Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Carver, their commanding officer, has been awarded the DSO.

Distinguished Service Order (DSO): Lieutenant Colonel Stuart William CARVER

Military Cross (MC): Lance Corporal Levi David ASHBY, Major Michael Patrick ASTON, Major Dominic Stead James BIDDICK MBE, Captain David Charles HICKS (killed in action), Corporal Robert William MOORE and Lance Corporal Oliver Scott RUECKER

Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM): Private Luke Cula NADRIVA

Mentioned in Despatches (MiD): Sergeant Steven Edward ARMON, Warrant Officer Class 2 Kevin MAIN, Major Philip John MESSENGER, Warrant Officer Class 2 Timothy Richard NEWTON and Sergeant Simon Iain PANTER

Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service(QCVS): Captain Phillip Nowell BLANCHFIELD

Lance Corporal Oliver Ruecker said: "I don't see myself as a hero. I was just saving my mate - doing him a favour - nothing special in my eyes." His Mum added: "The truth is there is [a medal], and if nothing else it is in recognition of everything the Royal Anglians went through, and the sacrifice they made."

Link> BBC: Honour for British soldier hero

Captain David Hicks, whose courage under fire was publicised around the world when he died while leading his men against the Taliban, was posthumously awarded the Military Cross. The Captain refused morphine after being severely wounded, and refused to leave his post until he could no longer take part in the battle against the Taliban.
Link> BBC: Bravery award for British soldier

Lt Col Carver said: “I think that the total of 78 awards for the Battalion, ranging from Military Crosses to COMBRITFOR Commendations is a fitting tribute to all of the hard work and sacrifice the Battalion put into OP HERRICK 6. I am particularly pleased with winning 6 Military Crosses. In 44 years of Regimental history only 4 have been won, none of which while serving with the 1st Battalion; this puts into context how demanding the tour was, and that the efforts and achievements of the Battalion as well as the individual acts of gallantry have been recognised.”

Congratulations to the courageous medal winners and to all the heroes of the Royal Anglian Regiment! You make us proud!

Link> EDP24: Top honours for the Anglian heroes
Link> BBC: Record number earn Military Cross
Link> MoD: Operational Honours and Awards List
Link> MoD: Afghanistan honours "reflect the actions of all"
Link> MoD: Medals "a symbol of the achievement of our soldiers"
Link> The Sun: 184 medals for bravest soldiers
Link> The Guardian: Highest number of Military Crosses awarded since WW2
Link> The Times: Soldier who was shot twice as he saved colleague is honoured