AFP/London
A British soldier who gave his life in Afghanistan in a bid to save his colleagues is to be awarded the country’s highest military honour, it was reported yesterday.
Lance Corporal James Ashworth, 23, is to be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest military decoration for valour in the face of the enemy, the BBC said.
The VC takes precedence over all other military honours. It is only the 10th time the gallantry medal has been awarded to a member of the British forces since World War II.
Ashworth, of the 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards, died on June 13 last year while trying to protect others from a grenade blast.
The Times newspaper said the soldier was understood to have fought with exceptional courage against huge odds.
By deliberately exposing himself to enemy fire, he saved his comrades’ lives. He also ensured no civilians were in the line of fire, the daily said.
Ashworth was on patrol with his battalion’s reconnaissance platoon in the Nahr-e Saraj district of the troubled southern Helmand Province.
The platoon’s commander, Captain Mike Dobbin, said following his death: “Lance Corporal Ashworth was killed while fighting his way through compounds; leading his fire team from the front, whilst trying to protect his men and he showed extraordinary courage to close on a determined enemy.
“His professionalism under pressure and ability to remain calm in what was a chaotic situation is testament to his character.”
The VC has only been awarded twice in the British forces since the 1982 Falklands War.
Johnson Beharry, who is still in the army, was awarded the medal for his actions in Iraq in 2004, while the last recipient was Bryan Budd who lost his life in Afghanistan two years later.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said Ashworth’s death was a “great loss” to the army.
The lance corporal was “undoubtedly a committed, courageous and professional soldier, with a bright future ahead of him”, he said last year.
His family “have every reason to be extremely proud of his personal and professional achievements alike”.
The Ministry of Defence will officially announce the award next week, the BBC and The Times reported.