Discussion
a good story to the end the week on...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshi...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshi...
bbc said:
A Sheffield soldier who cleared more roadside bombs than anyone else in history has received the George Medal at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Warrant Officer Karl Ley, 29, made safe 139 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by the Taliban during a tour of Helmand Province in Afghanistan.
The number is more than twice as many as any other bomb disposal expert.
WO Ley received the medal for his "sheer determination, guile and awesome bravery" from Prince Charles.
On one operation WO Ley, a married father-of-three, defused 42 IEDs within 72 hours, and at times he had to clear bombs with insurgent mortars and gunshots landing as little as 30m (100ft) away from him.
Warrant Officer Karl Ley, 29, made safe 139 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by the Taliban during a tour of Helmand Province in Afghanistan.
The number is more than twice as many as any other bomb disposal expert.
WO Ley received the medal for his "sheer determination, guile and awesome bravery" from Prince Charles.
On one operation WO Ley, a married father-of-three, defused 42 IEDs within 72 hours, and at times he had to clear bombs with insurgent mortars and gunshots landing as little as 30m (100ft) away from him.
Eric Mc said:
Why the George Medal - I thought that was for civvies?
GM warrant said:
It is ordained that the persons eligible for the medal shall be:
- Our faithful subjects and persons under Our protection in civil life, male and female, of Our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, India. Burma Our Colonies, and of Territories under Our Suzerainty, Protection and Jurisdiction.
- Persons of any rank in the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of India. of Burma, of Our Colonies, and of Territories under Our Suzerainty, Protection or Jurisdiction, including the Home Guard and in India members of Frontier Corps and Military Police and members of Indian States' Forces and in Burma members of the Burma Frontier Force and Military Police, and including also the Military Nursing Services and the Women's Auxiliary Services.
- Our faithful subjects and persons under Our protection in civil life, male and female, within, and members of the Naval, Military and Air Forces belonging to, any other part of Our Dominions, Our Government whereof has signified its desire that the Medal should be awarded under the provisions of this Warrant, and any Territory being administered by Us in such Government.
Eric Mc said:
I see.
Disposing on an enemies bomb is different to lobbing a grenade at an enemies gun emplacement?
I actually don't see the difference here. I think bomb disposing in a war zone is "in the line of fire".
yes Eric - it's very, very different, totally different - Thats why he was awarded the GM. Disposing on an enemies bomb is different to lobbing a grenade at an enemies gun emplacement?
I actually don't see the difference here. I think bomb disposing in a war zone is "in the line of fire".
EFA - He made safe something like 140 IED's on his tour of duty, an incredible feat of bravery. So the GM was awarded for outstanding gallantry for actions that occurred 'over a period of time' and not for a single action in a direct confrontation with the Enemy - eg a single handed charge on an enemy Machine gun post.
Edited by JensenA on Friday 17th December 21:05
More info here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshi...
Some salient points
"He has sadly lost seven of his colleagues"
and
"Reflecting on the high number of IEDs he has disarmed, WO Ley said: "I think if Staff Sergeant Schmid, a good mate of mine, had remained alive he'd have gone way past the mark that I did, but unfortunately he died half way through his tour. To say I've done more, it's nice but it's not particularly important in the great scheme of things. "
Yes, top bloke indeed.
George Cross is equivalent of the VC, not less. It's just the circumstances are different.
Andy
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshi...
Some salient points
"He has sadly lost seven of his colleagues"
and
"Reflecting on the high number of IEDs he has disarmed, WO Ley said: "I think if Staff Sergeant Schmid, a good mate of mine, had remained alive he'd have gone way past the mark that I did, but unfortunately he died half way through his tour. To say I've done more, it's nice but it's not particularly important in the great scheme of things. "
Yes, top bloke indeed.
George Cross is equivalent of the VC, not less. It's just the circumstances are different.
Andy
I saw this on the news after the article about that snivelling piece of pig s
t UK Asylum scrounger that killed that girl.
I suddenly realised there is a win win, if we send the scumbag over to Afghanistan in his uninsured car, and let him drive about there. It would give heros like this a day off.
To have a humble incredibly brave guy like this sharing airtime withstitch like that (and making the news AFTER the prick) is wrong IMO.
t UK Asylum scrounger that killed that girl.I suddenly realised there is a win win, if we send the scumbag over to Afghanistan in his uninsured car, and let him drive about there. It would give heros like this a day off.
To have a humble incredibly brave guy like this sharing airtime with
stitch like that (and making the news AFTER the prick) is wrong IMO. Edited by s3fella on Friday 17th December 22:00
Eric Mc said:
I see.
Disposing on an enemies bomb is different to lobbing a grenade at an enemies gun emplacement?
I actually don't see the difference here. I think bomb disposing in a war zone is "in the line of fire".
I think I would see a difference, except for the fact that at least on one occasion he was apparently repeatedly having to stop to return fire.Disposing on an enemies bomb is different to lobbing a grenade at an enemies gun emplacement?
I actually don't see the difference here. I think bomb disposing in a war zone is "in the line of fire".
ETA: When you hear about guys getting blown to pieces having diffused far fewer devices, it's quite something that he comes across so cool and collected. Very impressive chap who was more interested in making sure everyone knew it was a team effort and remembering those who didn't make it as far than being in the spotlight.
Edited by TuxRacer on Friday 17th December 22:50
TuxRacer said:
Eric Mc said:
I see.
Disposing on an enemies bomb is different to lobbing a grenade at an enemies gun emplacement?
I actually don't see the difference here. I think bomb disposing in a war zone is "in the line of fire".
I think I would see a difference, except for the fact that at least on one occasion he was apparently repeatedly having to stop to return fire.Disposing on an enemies bomb is different to lobbing a grenade at an enemies gun emplacement?
I actually don't see the difference here. I think bomb disposing in a war zone is "in the line of fire".
I've now read up on the rankings of the various medals and the George Cross is the third highest award behind the George Medal and the Victoria Cross. It is the highest possible award for civilians.
It is awarded to military personnel when their bravery was displayed whilst NOT involved in a direct military engagement - which is why it is often given to bomb dispoal chaps. Reading on his citation though, there have been times when he was under fire - so I suppose it's a judgement thing. The only other medals he could have been awarded would have been the George Medal or the Victoria Cross - anything else would have been a lower ranking award.
I could never do what these guys do.
It is awarded to military personnel when their bravery was displayed whilst NOT involved in a direct military engagement - which is why it is often given to bomb dispoal chaps. Reading on his citation though, there have been times when he was under fire - so I suppose it's a judgement thing. The only other medals he could have been awarded would have been the George Medal or the Victoria Cross - anything else would have been a lower ranking award.
I could never do what these guys do.
luke66 said:
these people are real hero's not like movie stars and footballers. these people are the people we should be reading about. True men. true heros
here here, was a good show last night, feel so sorry for the families of those fallen and a big thanks to those guys serving for our country.Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff