Ceremony to decorate the armed forces

More than 100 members of the armed forces were honoured for their service in Afghanistan and Iraq and other operations at a ceremony in Windsor yesterday.

At Victoria Barracks  136 members of the military and one MOD (Ministry of Defence) civilian received decorations including a George Cross, 19 Military Crosses and four Distinguished Service Orders.

Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup and Defence Secretary Des Browne attended the awards.

He said:  "I am enormously grateful for the contribution made by all members of our Armed Forces and the civilians who support them, in operational theatres around the world.
"They carry out their demanding and often dangerous duties - bringing peace and stability to some of the most dangerous places in the world - with skill, courage and professionalism."

The George Cross was awarded to Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher of the Royal Marine Reserve, he received the decoration for saving the life of at least two comrades after throwing himself on a grenade in Afghanistan last March.

Others honoured included Colonel Alexander Smyth-Osbourne, who served as commanding officer of the Windsor based Household Cavalry Regiment until earlier this year.
He received a Mention in Dispatches (MiD).

 Picture by Cpl G Moreno:
(l-r)Commander Field Army, Lieutenant General Graeme Lamb (4th from left) congratulates MC Winners (from left) Lance Corporal Mohan Tangnami, Lance Corporal Agnish Thapa, both The Royal Gurkha Rifles, Major Douglas Reid, Royal Army Medical Corps, Major Paul Pitchfork and Rifleman Bhim Gurung both The Royal Gurkha Rifles