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[Gaffers]

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/HeroismInAfghanistanFromAllThreeServicesRecognised.htm

This soldier was a Private in my Troop when I first commisionned.  Reading her citation has filled me with pride as it underpins the entire ethos of what we do in the medics.  I am very proud to have served with her 

Having soldiers under my command is the closest I will get to having kids.  Personally I dont want any of the latter but after today I can see why you would 

Corporal Isobel Henderson

Combat Medical Technician Class One Corporal Isobel Henderson from the Royal Army Medical Corps has been honoured with a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her actions in Afghanistan between July and September 2010.

During this time the diminutive Corporal was the lone medic in a checkpoint she shared with 20 Scots Guardsmen and 15 Afghan Police, which came under attack more than 60 times:


"The boys were great though. They made me giggle," she said. "They really helped me out and I couldn't have done it without them."


This involved helping her out on patrols and included the guys lifting the five-foot-two-inch (1.6m) Corporal over walls as the kit she had to carry amounted to half her body weight:


"At the end we were joined by a female nurse - I was grateful to have someone to talk about girly things with," she said.


Outside the gates of the checkpoint, the threat of bombing and shooting was extreme. The number and type of casualties Corporal Henderson had to deal with was described in her citation as 'unprecedented'. She said:


"I had to send in a report every week of the injuries we had treated. I've kept the book I used to keep track of them. I looked at it recently and was surprised by just how busy we had been.

"At the time you don't switch off, you're a bit like a robot getting on with your work, it's not until afterwards that you think about it. It's different dealing with the children though. Soldiers who have kids themselves find that a bit difficult."


On one occasion, insurgents had placed a bomb close to the checkpoint, and mistimed their attack, resulting in the massive bomb exploding under a minibus taxi crammed with women and children.

Corporal Henderson went into the mayhem and calmly did her work, despite the added complications and awfulness of having to deal with local Afghan infant casualties, saving those whom she could, and effecting their evacuation:


"When we arrived the bus was non-existent. Yet there was a little girl alive in the wreckage, there was a carton of juice and some cooking pots that were still intact, untouched, even though people had been blown into the river and into fields. It was incredible."


On another occasion, a Guardsman was shot outside her checkpoint. Two non-commissioned officers were then also shot while going to his rescue. Corporal Henderson got to work on all three, giving first aid and reassurance.

In yet another awful incident, five Afghans were caught in an explosion close to the checkpoint.

Because of Corporal Henderson's reputation for excellence, which she had earned with the Afghan people, they were brought to the checkpoint where she treated them with impressive professionalism and care, reassuring and informing the Afghan relatives through an interpreter:


"They brought them to the gates in wheelbarrows," she said.


Her citation concluded:


"Corporal Henderson has had to deal with an exceptionally heavy burden of casualties in an isolated checkpoint which has been under near constant attack for six months. This has demanded the highest level of professionalism and commitment in desperately difficult circumstances."


But at the start of her tour she was far from certain that she was going to be able to cope with it all, despite having served in Iraq:


"In Iraq we had seen trauma. Everyone expects HERRICK to be the same, but it's a different kettle of fish. But I'm proud of how I dealt with it all," she said.

It warms yer cockles 

[Mysteryman]

A proud moment indeed Matt


When I saw your thread title, I thought we were about to be informed of the biggest rip-snorter you've ever let go.

[Dishevelled Den]

Well posted G. 8-)

[Gaffers]

Well posted G. 8-)

After a few pretty bad days at work, this news has cheered me up no end 

[Amigo]

MOD won't let me open the link but no matter, give this girl a hug from me when you next see her.

  She shows true bottle & puts her duties above her personal safety.

   We should all be proud of her, i know i am. Guy.

[Ray_Tupper]

This sort of thing makes you Proud to be British 
Alot of Brave people over there.
Stay Safe & God Bless 

[Vamps]

Well posted G. 8-)

Agreed....

[Vamps]

MOD won't let me open the link but no matter, give this girl a hug from me when you next see her.

  She shows true bottle & puts her duties above her personal safety.

   We should all be proud of her, i know i am. Guy.

It let me.. What you been up to then to get censored....

[Amigo]

It opened this time so good on Jack Anrude & Stephen Bowden as well!

[iluv_meew]

good job mate

[feeutfo]

Very proud, one and all. Good stuff. 

[Seth]

MOD won't let me open the link but no matter, give this girl a hug from me when you next see her.

  She shows true bottle & puts her duties above her personal safety.

   We should all be proud of her, i know i am. Guy.

Here, here, Matt!

Give her our very best 'Valleys wishes'