ORAC
7th Mar 2007, 20:17
Posthumous VC for paratrooper
A paratrooper who died after single-handedly rushing a Taliban position under heavy gunfire was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Corporal Bryan Budd, 29, of the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, stormed a Taliban position in southern Afghanistan on August 20 last year. It is the first time the VC - Britain's highest award for bravery in the face of enemy attack - has been awarded posthumously for a quarter of a century.
Cpl Budd, of Ripon, North Yorkshire, twice led audacious assaults into the heart of enemy gunfire in Sangin District.
On July 27 last year he spearheaded an attack on two gunmen on the roof of a building to allow a wounded colleague to be evacuated for life-saving treatment. During an engagement on August 20, with "withering" fire forcing his comrades to take cover, Cpl Budd continued the assault alone, continuing to rush the Taliban position despite his own wounds. His body was later found surrounded by those of three Taliban fighters.
Cpl Budd's widow Lorena received the VC on his behalf from the Queen in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace. She said she was "enormously proud" of her late husband, saying he had died doing the job he loved. Mrs Budd said in a statement: "The award of the Victoria Cross recognises his conspicuous gallantry, inspirational leadership and supreme valour. Tragically, acting in the highest traditions of the Parachute Regiment, 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."
She attended the Palace with Cpl Budd's stepfather, Trevor Girdham, and the paratrooper's sister Tracy and his brother Stephen.
Seven other members of the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment also received honours for their service in Afghanistan last year. The regiment's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Tootal, who was awarded the distinguished service order, said he was "immensely proud" of his soldiers.
A paratrooper who died after single-handedly rushing a Taliban position under heavy gunfire was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Corporal Bryan Budd, 29, of the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, stormed a Taliban position in southern Afghanistan on August 20 last year. It is the first time the VC - Britain's highest award for bravery in the face of enemy attack - has been awarded posthumously for a quarter of a century.
Cpl Budd, of Ripon, North Yorkshire, twice led audacious assaults into the heart of enemy gunfire in Sangin District.
On July 27 last year he spearheaded an attack on two gunmen on the roof of a building to allow a wounded colleague to be evacuated for life-saving treatment. During an engagement on August 20, with "withering" fire forcing his comrades to take cover, Cpl Budd continued the assault alone, continuing to rush the Taliban position despite his own wounds. His body was later found surrounded by those of three Taliban fighters.
Cpl Budd's widow Lorena received the VC on his behalf from the Queen in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace. She said she was "enormously proud" of her late husband, saying he had died doing the job he loved. Mrs Budd said in a statement: "The award of the Victoria Cross recognises his conspicuous gallantry, inspirational leadership and supreme valour. Tragically, acting in the highest traditions of the Parachute Regiment, 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."
She attended the Palace with Cpl Budd's stepfather, Trevor Girdham, and the paratrooper's sister Tracy and his brother Stephen.
Seven other members of the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment also received honours for their service in Afghanistan last year. The regiment's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Tootal, who was awarded the distinguished service order, said he was "immensely proud" of his soldiers.