Lance Corporal Alexander Morgan, Guardsman Stuart McCormick, Lieuteant Ralph Gore
advertisement
Honours for Aldershot-based Irish guards
By Jack SommersSeptember 30, 2011
SOLDIERS from Aldershot are among those whose heroism in Afghanistan was recognised in the latest round of military honours.
The 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, which moved to Aldershot from Windsor last month, was in Helmand from October last year to April.
A total of six soldiers from the battalion received honours for their actions there.
Guardsman Stuart McCormick was praised for holding fire as the Taliban attacked, because the enemy were surrounded by civilians. He received a Joint Commander’s Commendation.
Guardsman Michael McMurtry, who is only 21 and was on his tour with the army, received the Queen's Commendation for Bravery for saving his commander after he lost both legs in a roadside bomb.
Captain Charlies Gair, 26, who was then a Lieutenant, was given a Mention in Despatches for rallying his platoon to defeat the enemy after intense machine gun fire hit nine of the 13 men, killing one of them.
Lieutenant Ralph Gore's platoon was constantly battling with the enemy and he would do 'the most perilous duties' such as checking for bombs. himself. He received a Mention in Despatches.
The battalion's commander, Leiteunant Colonel Christopher Ghika was made an OBE, and described the honour as 'reflecting on the whole of the Irish Guards'.
Not all of them were recognised for actions in combat. Lance Corporal Alexander Morgan, 27, receieved a Joint Commander’s Commendation for liasing with locals and helping his fellow soldiers in Helmand as a Pashtu interpreter.
The 27-year-old, who had never learned a foreign language, spent 10 months learning the language, which he described as 'like something out of Star Wars'.
For more on this story, see the News & Mail, out October 7.
Browse Sections
Most recent user comments 1 of 1
I know that there are many others who also put themsleves, literally, in the firing line for "Queen and country".
They are a credit to Britain and to Aldershot - still the home of the Britsh Army.
It is a pity the Aldershot News sub-editor did not do his / her job as diligently by allowing an awful spelling of "lieutenant" in this web version (Leiteunant Colonel Christopher Ghika!!!!).
Perhaps he/she would benefit from a English interpreter.
01/10/2011 at 12:54 Offensive or Inappropriate?
Please let us know the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.