Heroes of Afghan conflict honoured

The troops, all members of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards who were deployed to Task Force Helmand on Operation Herrick 12 under the command of Headquarters 4th Mechanized Brigade, were presented their operational medals by Major General William George Cubitt, Commander of the Household Division at Catterick garrison, yesterday.

During the tour the Brigade lost more than 50 soldiers and the Scots Guards lost three – Lance Sergeants Davey Walker and Dale McCallum and Lance Corporal Stephen Monkhouse.

Among the recipients yesterday were 11 wounded soldiers including triple amputee Guardsman David Watson from Bamber Bridge, Preston.

Guardsman Watson suffered horrific injuries in a roadside bomb while out on patrol just weeks after arriving in Afghanistan. He lost part of both legs as well as an arm.

An Army spokesman said: "We are really pleased that the parade could go ahead despite the weather and heavy snow yesterday.

"It was a very memorable day for all of the soldiers concerned."

Lance Sergeant Walker, was killed on February 18 this year while Lance Sergeant McCallum was killed on August 1, commanding his men in an operation to provide security for local Afghan nationals.

Lance Corporal Stephen Daniel Monkhouse was killed on 21 July and was praised as a talented drummer as well as highly valued soldier with a bright future ahead of him.

The Duke of Kent was unable to take part in the presentation ceremony, as originally inten- ded.