Queen: Always be proud of him (Paratrooper's widow collects rare posthumous Victoria Cross)

The Sun (U.K.) ^ | March 8, 2007 | TOM NEWTON DUNN

[Stoat]

 
Honour ... widow Lorena holds VC at palace

Queen: Always be proud of him

 
By TOM NEWTON DUNN
Defence Editor
March 08, 2007
 
 

 

 

 

 
THE Queen presented the widow of hero Para Bryan Budd with his Victoria Cross yesterday — telling her: “Always be proud of him.”

 

Cpl Budd, 29, died during a brave lone charge at Taliban fighters in the southern Afghan badlands.

He freed up his stricken section to escape an ambush by killing three enemy at point-blank range before being gunned down himself.

Widow Lorena, 23, received the cherished medal — only the second given in 25 years — during a private 15-minute audience with the Queen in Buckingham Palace’s State Dining Room.

She said: “I am enormously proud of him and it has been an emotional day. He was a loving husband and father. He will always be missed, but his memory continues to live on. The award of the Victoria Cross recognises his conspicuous gallantry, inspirational leadership and supreme valour.

“He made the ultimate sacrifice by laying down his life. However, he did so doing the job he loved, serving in the regiment that meant so much to him.”

By Lorena’s side during the ceremony were Bryan’s soldier brother Steve, twin sister Tracy and step-father Trevor Girdham.

Steve, a sergeant in the Royal Artillery, said: “The Queen spoke to Lorena mostly and asked her a lot of questions.

 

Cpl Budd ... died a hero
 

“She was really interested in Bryan’s military career and wanted to know all about it.  

“She said she’d read Bryan’s whole citation and told Lorena she should always feel very proud.

“It was nice of her to spend so much time with us.”

Cpl Budd — from Ripon, North Yorks — raced into action on August 20 last year after Taliban fighters crept up on his platoon protecting royal engineers as they demolished an enemy compound at Sangin, Helmand province.

Three comrades were injured and Cpl Budd charged alone at the closest firing position, dashing blindly through head-high corn. He silenced the guns, but his body was found later beside three fanatics he had shot dead.

As The Sun revealed last month, military cops are now probing whether he was killed by British crossfire in the desperate shootout.

His citation also includes a SECOND act of valour. A few weeks before he died, he spearheaded an attack on two gunmen on a roof to allow a wounded colleague to be evacuated.

 

Salute ... Queen honoured Cpl Budd
 

Warrior driver Private Johnson Beharry was the last to get the VC — for saving the lives of 30 men by driving through an ambush in Iraq in 2004. 

Six other members of the 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment were also honoured yesterday.

Cpl Budd’s platoon commander Lt Hugo Farmer got a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. Military Crosses were given to Major Giles Timms, Cpl Stuart Giles and Private Peter McKinley, and an MBE to Lt Col Huw Williams. Commanding officer Lt Col Stuart Tootal collected a Distinguished Service Order.

• CPL BUDD

left two daughters — baby Imogen, who he never met, and two-year old Isabelle. A trust fund has been set up for them. Send cheques to Bryan Budd Memorial Fund, RHQ PARA, Flagstaff House, Napier Road, Colchester, Essex. CO2 7SW.

[Stoat]

Please also see this Free Republic thread from last year, in which Cpl. Budd's heroic actions are outlined in greater detail.

Great Britain Fallen hero set for VC honour (Inspirational story of heroism and dedication)

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The Sun Online - Sun Says No justice

Our salute

EVERY year around 2,600 people receive honours personally from the Queen.

But yesterday it was the widow of Corporal Bryan Budd who proudly collected his Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery in face of the enemy.

The paratrooper died as he charged Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, saving the lives of his comrades. And when Lorena Budd was handed the medal Her Majesty told her: “Always be proud of him”.

The whole nation will be, Ma’am.

[jws3sticks]

Nice hat!

[Stoat]

 

 

[Bulldawg Fan]

Rest in Peace brave warrior!

[2001convSVT]

A very brave man Cpl. Budd, may his heavenly reward be all that he thought it would be and more.

[ASOC]

Only shame was that he wasn't surrounded by "windrows of dead Taliban, in some areas stacked 4 or 5 deep".

Prayers to his children and wife. It does seem that the family will be there to help with the children.

[SandRat]

[Joe 6-pack]

"What manner of men are these who wear the maroon beret? They are firstly, all volunteers and are then toughened by hard physical training. As a result they have that infectious optimism and that offensive eagerness which comes from physical well being. They have jumped from the air and by doing so have conquered fear. Their duty lies in the van of battle; they are proud of this honour and have never failed in any task. They have the highest standards in all things whether it is skills in battle or smartness in the execution of all peacetime duties. They have shown themselves to be as tenacious and determined in defence as they are courageous in attack. They are in fact, men apart - every man an Emperor."

- Fd Marshall Montgomery of El Alamein

Godspeed Cpl. Budd....

[Stoat]

Rest in Peace brave warrior!

And may the Taliban scum burn in Hell for all eternity.

[Stoat]

Only shame was that he wasn't surrounded by "windrows of dead Taliban, in some areas stacked 4 or 5 deep".

I have no doubt that Cpl. Budd's squaddies took good care of matters.

Prayers to his children and wife. It does seem that the family will be there to help with the children.

And fortunately their mother will be there to tell them about their brave dad.

[Stoat]

Thank you very much for pinging your list!  :-)

 

[Stoat]

"What manner of men are these who wear the maroon beret? They are firstly, all volunteers and are then toughened by hard physical training. As a result they have that infectious optimism and that offensive eagerness which comes from physical well being. They have jumped from the air and by doing so have conquered fear. Their duty lies in the van of battle; they are proud of this honour and have never failed in any task. They have the highest standards in all things whether it is skills in battle or smartness in the execution of all peacetime duties. They have shown themselves to be as tenacious and determined in defence as they are courageous in attack. They are in fact, men apart - every man an Emperor."

- Fd Marshall Montgomery of El Alamein

Godspeed Cpl. Budd....

A wonderful quotation that should be taught in every school.  Thanks very much for posting.

"What manner of men are these who wear the maroon beret? They are firstly, all volunteers and are then toughened by hard physical training. As a result they have that infectious optimism and that offensive eagerness which comes from physical well being. They have jumped from the air and by doing so have conquered fear. Their duty lies in the van of battle; they are proud of this honour and have never failed in any task. They have the highest standards in all things whether it is skills in battle or smartness in the execution of all peacetime duties. They have shown themselves to be as tenacious and determined in defence as they are courageous in attack. They are in fact, men apart - every man an Emperor."

- Fd Marshall Montgomery of El Alamein

Godspeed Cpl. Budd....

[Stoat]

HAZZAH! The murderous muzzies will never live to kill again. Ten more cheers for the Corporal. It is no lie:

Dulce et Decorum Est pro Patria Mori.

Hackles up, and may the Drambuie flow !

Superb sentiments all, and I'm guessing that Cpl. Budd would certainly feel proud.

They produce a lot of good men across the pond, and we can all be thankful that so many of them answer the call of duty and perform so very honorably; and in Cpl. Budd's case so very heroically.

[krb]

Widow Lorena, 23, received the cherished medal — only the second given in 25 years — during a private 15-minute audience with the Queen

What's with the 15 minute thing? When I'm in charge, I'd like to think that I'd give a lot more time that that for such an important meeting.

[narses]

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[Stoat]

Widow Lorena, 23, received the cherished medal — only the second given in 25 years — during a private 15-minute audience with the Queen

What's with the 15 minute thing? When I'm in charge, I'd like to think that I'd give a lot more time that that for such an important meeting.

"

It seems that she is a very busy person, and I don't know how this compares with similar situations that our President is involved with (for lack of a more similar American office-holder to compare with Her Royal Highness)

Perhaps others here are more familiar than myself with such matters.  I know that we have many FReepers who are highly decorated veterans and would probably know much more about the usual customs surrounding medals and awards ceremonies.

Widow Lorena, 23, received the cherished medal — only the second given in 25 years — during a private 15-minute audience with the Queen

What's with the 15 minute thing? When I'm in charge, I'd like to think that I'd give a lot more time that that for such an important meeting.

[Stoat]

Thank you very much for pinging your list!  :-)

[narses]

He is a hero, he deserves respect. God Bless him and his family.

[6323cd]

She looks fantastic for nearly 81.

God bless Corporal Budd, his widow and children.