Heroic soldiers 'pride of Britain'

11 September 2009 04:34am

A Royal Marine who ran unarmed into a battlefield to save an injured comrade has been honoured by the Ministry of Defence.

Marine Steven Nethery's troop was ambushed by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.

When fellow Marine Mark Hendry was shot in the leg he ran to him, dragged him out of the firing line, salvaged his equipment and then carried him 250 yards to safety.

The 23-year-old, from Edinburgh, received the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and was one of 135 service personnel awarded medals for their service in Afghanistan, Iraq and in the UK.

They included Sergeant Noel Connolly who "rugby-tackled" a suicide bomber from his motorbike before he was able to detonate the explosives.

Many of those honoured were serving with 45 Commando, based in Arbroath, who are part of 3 Commando Royal Marines.

Commanding officer of 3 Commando, Brigadier Gordon Messenger, received the Bar to Distinguished Service Order.

Brig Messenger received his award for the "outstanding and inspirational command of a multi national force of 8,000 troops".

Two Royal Marines, Acting Corporal Bradley Malone, of 45 Commando, and Marine Nethery, were awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

The MoD said during an ambush Marine Malone, from Newcastle, displayed a "complete disregard for his own safety" and left cover to advance across open ground in order to help Sergeant Keith Tompkins who had become isolated.

© The Press Association