Military Honours: Heroes Rewarded For Bravery

A medic who treated a British soldier on the battlefield while under fire from the Taliban is among 118 heroes to get a military bravery award.

Lance Corporal Abbie Martin, 20, said she was "petrified" as she treated the injured comrade in Afghanistan with bullets flying overhead - but "my training kicked in".

Last weekend it was revealed that Lance-Corporal James Ashworth became the first recipient of the Victoria Cross since 2006 after being awarded it posthumously.

Captain Michael Dobbin, 28, from the Grenadier Guards, who was on the same patrol as L Cpl Ashworth when he died, is to receive the Military Cross.

He personally led a 200m charge at insurgents in Nahr-e-Saraj last summer.

Captain Michael Dobbin led a 200m charge at insurgents

L/Cpl Martin, 20, told Sky News how she was on her first tour of duty and leapt into action when she heard there was a "man down" on the battlefiield.

"At first I was hiding and then everyone was giving me fire support so I could get to the guy and treat him," she said.

"I was just thinking about the casualty - all the things I could do for him - my training just kicked in - as well as not getting shot."

She added: "It was the most petrifying experience of my life but I knew I had that job and I had to do it."

Several days later, despite a struggle to come to terms with the horror of her first patrol, she treated multiple casualties after a grenade blast, saving all the injured.

L/Cpl Martin receives the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service, which recognises meritorious service during, or in support of, operations.

The list also includes Lance Corporal Lawrence Kayser, who is awarded the Military Cross.

Lance Corporal Lawrence Kayser fought with shrapnel in his arm

He saved colleagues from a "potentially disastrous situation" in Helmand in June 2012 when his platoon came upon the enemy while preparing an ambush.

When L/Cpl Kayser, from Woodton, Norfolk, and his platoon suddenly came under fire, the 27-year-old leapt from a ditch and charged Taliban fighters.

He shot one enemy in his path before being hit by shrapnel from a grenade, which wounded his arm, but fought on, driving insurgents out of the compound.

Describing the moment he came face-to-face with the insurgent he said: "It was a surprise for both of us.

"Neither of us thought the other was there. I just had the feeling I wanted all the angles covered. He had an AK47.

"We both raised our rifles at the same time but I fired from the hip.

"Luckily he missed but I clipped him in the abdomen. He dived back as I dived to the side."

Sergeant Roy Geddes 'breathed fire into the spirit of his men'

He added: "I have done a few tours before and have learned a bit about enemy tactics so I didn't want him to get between the lads and cause a nuisance. I decided to move through a nearby doorway and cut him off."

L/cpl Kayser, who is based in Bulford, Wiltshire, pursued him before a grenade was hurled into the alleyway, landing just metres from his feet.

He was struck on the arm with shrapnel from the blast.

Despite a "bee sting" sensation in his arm he pressed forward and the enemy fled, allowing him to clear the rest of the compound.

It was only when he returned to his base five hours later that he discovered the extent of his shrapnel wounds.

The soldier, who has had three tours of Afghanistan and two tours of Iraq, was treated and returned to his patrol base, admitting: "You're always scared but for me it was instinct, I've been in fights with the enemy before."

Also honoured are Sergeant Roy Geddes, 43, from the RAF Regiment, and Corporal Kurt Lee, also from the RAF.

The pair battled insurgents when they attacked Camp Bastion in September last year, where Prince Harry was serving his tour of duty as an Apache gunner.

Sgt Geddes, from Elgin, Monmouthshire, receives the Military Cross after it is said he "breathed fire into the spirit of his men" when Camp Bastion was attacked.

He fought on despite being wounded in the knee after one of his vehicles was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Sgt Geddes is only the second member of the RAF to receive the MC for action in Afghanistan.

He is recognised alongside Cpl Lee, 28, from Bury, Lancashire, who is Mentioned In Despatches for his own role in the battle.

Praising the recipients of the honours, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "In a changing world the bravery and commitment to duty of our servicemen and women remains unswerving.

"Whether fighting for our security on operations abroad or rescuing mountaineers and sailors within the British Isles, they deserve our gratitude and respect.

"I hope that the awards announced today go some way to underlining how much this country values the efforts and sacrifices of our Armed Forces."

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