Hero city soldiers awarded for bravery in Afghanistan

Published on Thursday 23 September 2010 19:50

SEVENTEEN Edinburgh-based soldiers have received honours for their bravery during a six-month tour of Afghanistan.

The members of 3 Rifles Battlegroup served in the war-torn country from October last year until April. During their tour, 3rd Battalion The Rifles (3 Rifles), based at Redford Barracks, lost 14 members.

Joining them on their tour of duty were B Company of The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots), based at Dreghorn Barracks, who lost two soldiers.

Among those honoured for their bravery today are the commanders of both 3 Rifles and 1 Scots.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, commander of 3 Rifles, receives a Distinguished Service Order, winning praise for his "indomitable leadership" and "dogged determination" - even though he was blown up twice.

Major Graeme Wearmouth, commander of B Company 1 Scots, led his troops throughout their time in Wishtan, and receives a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service.

Major Wearmouth's citation said: "By sheer force of personality, hard, painstaking and assiduous tactical analysis, and not a little downright faith, he has inspired his men and bred the confidence for them to confront their fears. His company has achieved more than anyone dared hope in an area with such a formidable reputation."

Major Wearmouth, 38, who lives with wife Ruth and their four children close to Dreghorn Barracks, described how foot patrols under his leadership had been forced to avoid moving along bomb-strewn alleyways in Sangin by repeatedly scaling high walls as they moved around the town: "We were in the east of Sangin, a very heavily built-up area with lots of alleyways, nooks and crannies easy for insurgents to get devices into," he said.

"We crossed the walls rather than going down the alleyways and that enabled us to get into the population, speak to them, find out what we could do to try and improve their lot."

Major Wearmouth praised his troops, citing as an example Private Callum Brotherston, who received the Queen's Gallantry Medal for his calmness and professionalism.

Regarding the honour, he added: "It's a great honour and a reflection on the men that I led rather than myself."

Two of the honours are posthumous. Corporal Lee Brownson of 3 Rifles receives the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, and Rifleman Mark Turner, also of 3 Rifles, receives a Mention in Dispatches.

Also among those honoured is Lance Corporal James McKie, of 3 Rifles, who receives the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

He saved his colleagues by grabbing a grenade which landed at his feet and throwing it back.

Rifles

• Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson: Distinguished Service Order

• Lance Corporal James McKie : Conspicuous Gallantry Cross

• Major Tim Harris: MBE

• Rifleman Gareth Sutherland: Queen's Commendation for Bravery

• Corporal Lee Brownson: posthumous Conspicuous Gallantry Cross

• Rifleman Mark Turner: posthumous Mention in Dispatches

• Rifleman Harry Lanceley: Military Cross

• Captain Andy Michael: Mention in Dispatches

• 2nd Lieutenant Connor Maxwell; Rifleman Daniel Nickson; and Lance Corporal Aselemo Vetanibua: Queen's Commendations for Bravery

Scots

• Major Graeme Wearmouth: Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service

• Private Callum Brotherston: Queen's Gallantry Medal

• Lieutenant David Clark; Warrant officer Class 2 Scott McQuillin; Corporal Edward Scott; and Lance Corporal Fraser McPherson: Chief of Joint Operations' Commendations for meritorious service