Minefield rescue soldier awarded George Medal

Private Martin Bell, a 24-year-old from Bradford, died in January when he was one of the lead men with C Company, 2 Para, using Vallon minesweepers to check for Improvised Explosive Devices ahead of a patrol.

During one of these patrols one of the Vallon men trod on a pressure plate IED, which amputated both his legs.

Soldiers returned to the scene hours later to retrieve the vital equipment to prevent it falling into enemy hands. As the risk became too great however, the commander ordered his men to stop and withdraw.

As they started to move back however, the trailing Vallon man triggered a second device. The explosion amputated both his legs and inflicted further serious injuries.

Both the commander and Pte Bell were blown off their feet, landing 10 and 15 metres away from the casualty, and suffering concussion.

Recognising the threat, the commander called out to him, telling him to remain still.

Despite the huge risk to himself, however, Pte Bell judged “the needs of the critically injured casualty greater than the risk to his own life”.

As the commander turned his back, in an act of supreme selflessness Pte Bell ran to the casualty to give him immediate aid.

“At that moment the ground he crossed must have constituted one of the most dangerous pieces of terrain in the world,” his citation reads.

He immediately set about administering first aid, applying two tourniquets that medical opinion after the event has said undoubtedly saved the casualty’s life.

For the next six minutes while the commander led a rescue team to their position, Pte Bell continued to apply first aid to stop the casualty bleeding to death.

He then immediately set about organising the stretcher party for the casualty’s evacuation. It was there tragically, only a few metres from the seat of the explosion, that Pte Bell set off a third device as he pulled the stretcher up a steep bank.

He was rendered unconscious immediately, and declared dead on the Medical Emergency Response Team’s helicopter.

His citation states that his actions on January 25 were far from an isolated act of courage. During his tour he had also “gained an extraordinary reputation for being the most courageous and clear-thinking of soldiers.”

The citation concludes that for his actions in general, “and specifically for his breathtaking gallantry on January 25” that he receives the nation’s recognition.

His mother, Elaine who lives in Idle, near Bradford, said: “When we heard the news it was absolutely amazing. All the family are immensely proud to accept the George Medal for Martin. But we accept it for him and on behalf of all his airborne brothers in The Parachute Regiment, especially those who were also affected that fateful day.

“Even though he was extremely modest, I think Martin would have been honoured to receive this award and I am sure celebrations would have followed. I think the first thing that he would have done would have been to get a pint.”

The George Medal (GM) was introduced at the same time as the George Cross when, during the summer of 1940. Winston Churchill wanted a new medal to recognise gallantry being performed by civilians which was later widened to include military not in the face of the enemy.