Gongs for Britain's brave(Heroic Army Captain defuses bomb by hand under fire, awarded George Medal)

The Sun (U.K.) ^ | September 7, 2006 | JOHN KAY

[Stoat]

 EXCLUSIVE 

 

Gongs for Britain's brave     Courage ... Kevin, with medal   By JOHN KAY Chief Reporter SEPTEMBER 08, 2006   AN ARMY hero told last night how he took a “long walk” to defuse a powerful bomb by hand. Disposal expert Captain Kevin Ivison feared he was on a 100-yard trip to certain death as he set off to tackle the roadside device in Iraq. He was so sure he would not be coming back he left deeply personal messages for loved ones he never expected to see again. On his way to the bomb he passed the bodies of two other soldiers — one a fellow captain and personal friend — who had been killed by an earlier blast. Kevin told The Sun: “We call making a manual approach to a device ‘the long walk’ and never has something been so true.” After four hours of amazing bravery, including dodging bullets, the officer successfully detonated the bomb which contained 15kg of high explosive. Kevin, 25, of the Royal Logistic Corps, is today awarded the George Medal — second only to the George Cross — for his incredible heroism last February 28. He is among 64 members of the Armed Forces honoured with gongs for gallantry and service in Iraq, Afghanistan and other operations around the world. Kevin was forced to defuse the bomb in Al Amarah by hand because a robot used for dismantling such devices was out of action for technical reasons. After leaving messages for his parents David and Lorraine, who live in Rossall, Lancs, he made his preparations for the nerve-jangling task. Recalling the day, bachelor Kevin said: “We received word there had been a contact and two fatalities. I found out that my little wheelbarrow — the robot that we use — was not working. “Five of us deployed to the scene and saw the casualties, my friend Captain Richard Holmes and Private Lee Ellis.” Kevin ... with the 'wheelbarrow' robot Captain Holmes and Private Ellis, both of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, had died in an attack on their patrol. Kevin’s first task was to work out what type of bomb had killed them, then make plans to tackle the second device as bullets began flying round his team. He said: “The device was about 100m away, a bit bigger than a shoe-box and covered with yellow hessian for camouflage. “We made preparations and I said my final things to my second-in-command and left him a personal message for my family and loved ones because I didn’t think I’d be coming back alive.” With nerves of steel Kevin walked up to the bomb, covered it with a weapon and retired to detonate it. Kevin, who joined the Army in 1999, said: “I could easily have been shot and there was also a threat that it could have been remotely set off. I would have been killed without any shadow of a doubt if it had been. “I’ve never had to take the long walk before — and I hope I never have to again.” Kevin, who has also served in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Northern Ireland, added: “My immediate reaction to the George Medal was shock, humility and pride. But it was a team effort — I could not have done it alone.” Kevin’s CO Lieutenant Colonel Ben Edwards, who gets the OBE today, said: “Captain Ivison displayed the most conspicuous bravery and extreme devotion to duty in the presence of hostile forces.” His Para friend Captain Holmes is posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in Iraq. A Distinguished Service Order goes to “fearless” RAF Wing Commander Martin Sampson. Sergeant James Newell of 2 Para wins the Military Cross for rescuing foot patrols under heavy fire — and joking to the men he saved: “Don’t take all day!” Fusilier Daniel “Smudge” Smith earns the George Medal for pulling comrades from burning vehicles and giving first aid. Royal Navy Captain Paul McAlpine is awarded an OBE for helping defend Iraqi oil exports. RAF Flight Lieutenant Sohail Khan is awarded a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service for his relief efforts following the Kashmir earthquake last year. Defence Secretary Des Browne said: “The men and women of our Armed Forces are doing hard and dangerous work every day in operations around the world. I would like to congratulate and thank those honoured today.” HAVE you got a story about a loved one bravely serving with British forces? Phone our Newsdesk on 0207 782 4104, send emails to exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or text 07917 576539.

Wing Cmdr Martin Sampson Distinguished Service Order       BRAVE Martin led a Harrier squadron to save ground troops pinned down in Afghanistan. But he single-handedly destroyed targets despite facing intense fire. When ground radio failed he relayed bomb directions to pals. Their weapons jammed, so he blasted the Taliban.   Sgt James Newell Military Cross       RESCUED foot patrol which came under fire in volatile Al Jamoury district of As Samawah, Iraq, on January 21. Lieutenant Colonel James Chiswell, commanding officer of 2 Para, said James displayed “exceptional courage and remarkable composure”.   Fusilier Daniel Smith George Medal       SAVED the lives of comrades when their vehicle patrol was hit by roadside bombs TWICE in a week in Iraq. Medic Daniel, 21, showed “tremendous bravery, coolness and professionalism” as he dragged injured pals out of a burning vehicle at Basra last September.   Capt Paul McAlpine OBE       FOR five months he directed the activity of Task Force 58’s multi-national Coalition to defend the Iraqi oil exports. By keeping shipping lanes open and free of terrorists the Iraqi Navy were able to take charge of territorial waters and infrastructure.   Fl/Lt Sohail Khan Queen's Commendation For Service       HELPED organise RAF Chinook helicopters to distribute rice and other UN aid to earthquake victims in Pakistan. His language skills meant he could liaise with the Pakistani military and made a “significant contribution” to the relief effort in Kashmir last October. Sohail said of his award: “I am deeply honoured. I was one small part of the RAF Odiham Team.”

[Stoat]

The quality of the armed forces on both sides of the pond is beyond reproach.  

Here's a big, warm American THANK YOU to all of our dear British Friends for all of their incredible help and the tremendous sacrifices that they make every single day in fighting the war on terror!

 

[stainlessbanner]

Great story!

[Stoat]

Great story!

Thanks very much; I'm delighted that you enjoyed it!

The story brought a tear to my eye and so I knew that others had to see it too. Thank God that he survived...it could have very easily gone the other way. 

I see positive stories like this only rarely in the 'mainstream' press...such a terrible shame.

[GSlob]

Wouldn't blowing that IED from a safe distance [say, one 20mm HE round into it could do the job] be simpler, cheaper, less risky and so on? One suchround is something like $10; one captain is much more valuable.

[Stoat]

Wouldn't blowing that IED from a safe distance [say, one 20mm HE round into it could do the job] be simpler, cheaper, less risky and so on? One suchround is something like $10; one captain is much more valuable.

Perhaps the bomb was in an area where it would have not been possible to detonate it safely?  Unfortunately, the article doesn't go into that level of detail.

[Stoat]

There's a bit more on this from The Guardian

Guardian Unlimited Special reports Medals for acts of valour in Afghanistan and Iraq

<<<snip>>>>

Captain Kevin Ivison of the Royal Logistic Corps is awarded the George Medal for risking his life to defuse a bomb after an explosive device killed two of his colleagues in Amara, southern Iraq, in February 2006.

"An angry crowd of Iraqis had gathered and disabling the device was necessary to protect them and to allow casualties to be removed," his citation says. "Without a robot to defuse it", it adds, Capt Ivison "took the decision to approach and disable the bomb himself. He realised the device was highly likely to detonate and kill him, and that terrorist snipers may still be in the vicinity. [He] set off past the casualties on the 'long walk' to the device" before detonating it from a safe distance.

 

 

<<<snip>>>>

[Ruth A.]

What wonderful men!

[GSlob]

Even more reason to blow it from the distance. It would have taken care of that "angry crowd of Iraqis" at the same time - speak of hitting two birds with the same stone.

[Stoat]

What wonderful men!

Yes, they make my heart swell with pride.

[Fairview]

Wow. And they're hot, too!

[Terabitten]

Hooah!!!

Makes me proud to be an American of British stock.