Queen Elizabeth Honours Brave British Soldiers

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth takes part in many investitures every year, but this one was extra special. Corporal Ricky Furgusson was honoured with the Military Cross, for showing extreme bravery after he went to the aid of wounded comrades four times. Corporal Furgusson, 25, lost both legs, an eye, and fingers on both hands in a blast in Afghanistan in January. The soldier, from Telford, Shropshire, spent five weeks in intensive care and has had 17 operations, including skin grafts from his forearm to recreate his lips, and skin taken from his stomach to make a left cheek.

Also recieving an award was Lance Corporal James McKie, who was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross by the monarch who thanked him for his quick-thinking. The soldier picked up a grenade and hurled it back at Taliban attackers, saving his commander.

The Queen’s Gallantry Medal was awarded to Rifleman Reece Terry, 19, who, armed with only a Vallon metal detector and night vision goggles, led his men through a daring night time raid to capture a Taliban leader. He led the force through a densely vegetated area full of improvised explosive devices during the 12-hour mission last year. When they reached their target, special forces servicemen captured the Taliban leader and six others and destroyed enemy munitions before the soldier, who was 18 at the time, found a safe path back to base.

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Afghanistan, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Investiture, Military, Orders.

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