News
The Prince and The Duchess honour holders of the Victoria Cross and the George Cross
8th September 2008
Acts of bravery and self-sacrifice made by Britain's military and civilian heroes were honoured in a church service attended by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
Past and present holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross - the country's highest awards for gallantry by the armed forces and citizens respectively - were remembered at a solemn service held at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.
The Prince of Wales, president of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, and The Duchess of Cornwall later held a reception for the gallantry medal winners at St James's Palace.
Among those who attended was Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry, who is still undergoing treatment after suffering serious injuries during an act of bravery in 2004 which helped earn him the VC.
The Rev Dr David Coulter, principal of the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre, told the congregation: "The men and women of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association are indeed a rare breed.
"It could be described as an elite club where only the bravest of braves are allowed to enter."
The minister, speaking at the service held in St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in central London, added: "Today, we salute you all and, in so doing, give thanks to almighty God for men and women of valour and for all members past and present."
During the service, hymns were sung and prayers said of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association and, at one point, the Last Post was sounded by bugler, Kerry Silk, of the Band of the Royal Marines, Portsmouth, before Major Peter Norton spoke the Act of Remembrance.
He told the congregation: "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."
Major Norton, a bomb disposal expert, is a military recipient of the George Cross awarded for acts of bravery not in the presence of the enemy.
The army officer lost a leg in a blast near Baghdad in July 2005 and later part of an arm after investigating an area suspected of containing hidden explosives.
But, as he lay seriously injured, he continued to instruct his team on where they could move - a further bomb was discovered 10 metres away and made safe.
Lance Corporall Beharry, who was born on Grenada, described his honour at being able to attend today's service and reception held by The Prince and The Duchess.
He said: "It's great for me, this is my second service and I just enjoyed the moment. It's great to be around a lot of VC holders because we don't see each other very often."
Speaking about life as a VC holder said: "I enjoy every moment of it but I'm still having treatment - I have to deal with both ends of the package."
The soldier from the 1st Battalion the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment was awarded the VC after two acts of outstanding bravery.
Lance Corporal Beharry was at the head of a five-vehicle convoy when it came under attack in the town of al-Amarah in May 2004.
He guided the column through a mile of enemy ground to drop off wounded comrades at great risk to his own safety.
Weeks later, his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade round. Despite a head wound, he managed to reverse his Warrior to safety.
Also at the service was Corporal Willie Apiata, New Zealand's first VC recipient since the Second World War.
The soldier, who is a member of his country's SAS force, carried a wounded comrade across a battlefield while under fire in Afghanistan in 2004.