Operational Honours List

The Operational Honours and Awards List was released on 24 September. 130 members of the British Armed Forces, as well as one civilian, were included in the list. Awards for Afghanistan include two OBEs, five MBEs, four DSOs, five CGCs (one* posthumous), eighteen MCs (one** posthumous), three DFCs and a GM.

Amongst them:

Lance Corporal James McKie, 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross after picking up a live grenade which landed at his feet and throwing it back at the enemy. It exploded right after he released it, wounding him, but his action saved the lives of his commander and a fellow rifleman.

Acting Corporal Sarah Bushbye, Royal Army Medical Corps, is only the third woman*** to receive the Military Cross, after running 500 yards under heavy fire to try to save four wounded men.

Staff Sergeant Gareth Wood (left), 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, received the Military Cross, and Acting Warrant Officer Class Two Karl Ley (right), also from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, received the George Medal. "Willingly accepting an incredibly high level of personal risk, on one 72-hour operation A/WO2 Ley defused 28 victim-operated devices and tackled 14 bombs - a feat which displays incredible determination and awesome bravery."

The only civilian on the list, Constable Amanda Henderson, Ministry of Defence Police, received the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for training female police officers in Afghanistan.


* Corporal Lee Brownson, 3rd Battalion The Rifles.
** Lieutenant Douglas Dalzell, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards.
*** The other two - Private Michelle Norris MC, RAMC, and Able Seaman Medical Assistant Kate Nesbitt MC, RN, were also medics.

Photographs © Crown Copyright/MOD 2010.