Daunting birthday treat for war hero

Lance Sergeant Matthew Turrall, of the Irish Guards, was treated to an unusual birthday present as he was handed the prestigious award by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace on his 29th birthday.

L/Sgt Turrall, from Manchester, helped an Afghan man and his four children to safety after their car got caught in the crossfire of an insurgent attack near Lashkar Gah in May last year.

He said: "It's amazing, it's quite daunting, but not quite as daunting as being in a war zone. But it was quite scary all the same."

The father of two said of his brave act: "I've got children myself so it was just a reaction. I saw those kids screaming and crying and just had to help them."

His mother, Joy, 52, said she was extremely proud of her son: "I'm quite naive, I don't ask too much about what happens out there, that's my way of coping."

L/Sgt Turrall was one of three British soldiers awarded the prestigious medal for their bravery in Afghanistan.

Captain Rowley Gregg, from the Light Dragoons, and Corporal Paul Mather, from the Army Air Corps, were also presented with the Military Cross.

Cpl Mather was on patrol in Helmand province when troops came under attack from grenades in June last year.

He suffered serious injuries but crawled into cover to radio for help, continuing to radio for air support until he was airlifted to safety.

Capt Gregg was handed the award for outstanding leadership during Operation Panther's Claw in July 2009.

Among civilian award winners was pianist Peter Donohoe.

He nearly severed his fingers in 1994 in an American hotel but went on to perform with some of the best orchestras in the world.

Mr Donohoe was awarded an OBE for services to classical music.

Northern Ireland journalist Ivan McMichael was awarded an MBE for services to journalism after a 50-year career.