Hero honoured

He's lance corporal Davie Timmins who went to the aid of a fellow soldier, grievously wounded by an improvised explosive device.

The 19-year-old member of a high-threat IED disposal team was supporting Two Rifles battlegroup to clear a crucial supply route of IEDs in Sangin.

After discovering and preparing to destroy one victim-operated device, a second VOIED detonated causing devastating injuries to the team leader.

The reaction of L/cpl Timmins, who has a two-year-old son, Rhys, is cited as being "immediate and dynamic".

Ignoring the obvious risks he advanced to the casualty, clearing a safe route for others to follow while offering reassurances to his team leader then reporting back to their commander.

Directing two others to start first aid soldier Timmins secured a wide safe area for them to work in, before taking over life-saving treatment himself.

Working quickly but highly effectively he stemmed blood flow with a mixture of field treatments.

The citation states that "his actions were an inspiration in the darkest of moments. Following the casualty's arrival at the field hospital, the medical doctor made it clear that without Timmins ' action the casualty would not have survived".

By contrast the modest hero later said: "I didn't feel I'd done anything that really stood out. You just act and the training kicks in.

"My job is just to be the ears and eyes for the ammo technicians so they can focus – like close protection – but we have the training too so if you need to you can just get on and do it yourself".

The citation concludes: "His actions and selfless sacrifice are in the very finest traditions of the service and highly worthy of public recognition".

L/cpl Timmins continued to serve at the front of kinetic activity in Afghanistan until he himself was injured in an IED explosion.

This week he said: "I'm really happy to get this award. I don't know what I'll be able to do afterwards as I'm still getting treatment but it's for the powers-that-be to decide all that".

THE EXTRA has also learned that the young solder, now based in Edinburgh, was previously highly commended earlier in his tour by hospital staff for ensuring the survival of two Afghan National Army warriors, seriously injured in Nad-e-Ali.