Soldier wins Victoria Cross in Iraq

An armoured-vehicle driver who twice drove out of ambushes in Iraq will become the first person in 23 years to receive the Victoria Cross.

Private Johnson Beharry, 25, of the Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, braved rocket-propelled grenades and rescued wounded colleagues from his vehicle.

Six weeks later, he was wounded performing a similar action. He needed brain surgery and was given a 50:50 chance of survival.

Still recovering from his wounds, Private Beharry said news of the award had left him speechless.

"Maybe I was brave, I don't know," he said. "I think anyone else could do the same thing.

"At the time I was just doing the job. I didn't have time for other thoughts."

Private Beharry, who was born in Grenada in the Caribbean, is the first soldier to receive the VC since the Falklands War and the first living soldier to receive it since 1969, when Australian Warrant Officers Rayene Simpson and Keith Payne were given the award for bravery in Vietnam.

Private Beharry's first incident happened last May 1 in the town of al-Amarah, north of Basra, while on a mission to rescue a foot patrol who were in trouble.

His Warrior vehicle, leading a six-vehicle convoy, was hit by grenades, concussing the platoon commander and wounding other soldiers.

Private Beharry drove his Warrior directly through a barricade, "not knowing if there were mines or improvised explosive devices", says the citation.

"By doing this he was able to lead the remaining five Warriors behind him towards safety."

Private Beharry returned twice to the burning vehicle under fire to carry the wounded to safety.

Six weeks later, his vehicle was again hit by rockets. He was seriously wounded but he kept driving to safety until he lost consciousness.

The Times of London says Private Beharry, whose parents still live in Grenada, is one of just 14 living VC recipients.

- Agencies