Johnson Beharry, Victoria Cross

Very possibly the bravest man I'll ever meet, Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry, the only living recipient of the Victoria Cross, pictured with his medals, on his visit to a Scarborough college today

In 2005, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valour in the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces for twice saving members of his unit from ambushes, on 1st May and 11th June 2004 at Al-Amarah, Iraq. He sustained serious head injuries in the latter engagement.

He told students of his hard childhood, moving from Greneda to the UK, his mis-spent young adulthood, and the tough time he had because of his colour when he joined the Army when he decided to make more of his life.
He then told of his astonishingly brave actions in Iraq (see here for the full story), and his near death from his injuries. Quite stunning.

Sometimes in my job I meet fascinating people, and find myself a little in awe of what they have done, seen, or been. Today I was much in awe...