Latest news with #MilitaryCross
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Bonnyrigg footballer's medal sold to Tottenham Hotspur
The medal awarded to Captain James Ross, from Bonnyrigg in Midlothian, was bought by Spurs, the London club he went on to play for after the war. Ross won the Military Cross for his 'conspicuous gallantry' fighting with the North Staffordshire regiment on the Western Front in 1918. After the war 'Jimmy' played as a right back for Raith Rovers before transferring to Tottenham in 1923. The Military Cross and five other medals presented to Ross for his services in the First and Second World Wars went under the hammer at Noonans' sale of Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria in London. Tottenham Hotspur, who this week won the Europa League final against Manchester United, paid a hammer price of £1900 — almost double the £1000 estimate — to secure the group won by their former player 'for their collection'. Ross was born in Bonnyrigg on 7 March 1895 and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, serving with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 May 1915. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the North Staffordshire Regiment on 26 March 1918 and was given the medal for conspicuous gallantry and good work during the fighting in the Forêt de Mormal on 4 November 1918. His Military Cross citation in the London Gazette of 4 October 1919 read: 'For conspicuous gallantry and good work during the fighting in the Forêt de Mormal on 4 November 1918. 'His company was held up and his company commander was wounded. He assumed command, and owing to his coolness and ability the advance was properly continued and two field guns were captured with personnel complete.' Christopher Mellor-Hill, Head of Client Liaison at Noonans, said: 'Captain Ross was 23 years old when he was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry during the final push to victory. 'A keen footballer, initially with Raith Rovers, Ross subsequently signed professional forms with the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, then playing in the top division of English football. 'He made seven appearances for them as a defender in the 1922-23 and 1923-24 seasons.' Ross saw further service during the Second World War in the Cameronians. His Military Cross went under the hammer along with Ross' 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals; Defence Medal; and War Medal 1939-45. He died at Lasswade, Midlothian, on 5 November 1962, aged 67. James Ross Military Cross Credit Saltire News James Ross Credit Saltire News Credit Saltire News Like this: Like Related
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Brit war hero who won Military Cross aged 18 for bravery saving wounded commander during Taliban ambush in Afghanistan is selling medal because it is a 'painful reminder' of trauma
A hero soldier who is Britain's youngest known Military Cross recipient in 80 years is selling his prized gallantry medal because it is a 'painful reminder' of his time in Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Alexander Kennedy was just 18 years old when he displayed 'exceptional bravery' during a Taliban ambush to save the life of his severely wounded platoon commander. The rifleman's unit came under intense fire from multiple enemy positions during a patrol at Garmsir in Helmand Province in 2009. Lance Corporal Kennedy, of 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment, crawled over to Captain Andy Bell who had been shot in both legs to give him first aid. He was knocked to the ground himself by a bullet which struck his light machine gun - leaving him temporarily blind and deaf. But he quickly regained his senses and continued to tend to Capt Bell in the exposed position under relentless fire from at least nine enemy combatants. At the same time, he directed covering fire and called in armoured support to enable Capt Bell to be evacuated from danger and survive. Lance Corporal Kennedy engaged the enemy with accurate machine gun fire which drew their attention away from his injured superior. His Military Cross citation for June 8, 2009 reads: 'Private Kennedy was point man during a patrol in Garmsir, Helmand province. 'He came under fire from multiple Taliban positions. 'His platoon commander, Captain Andy Bell, was shot in the leg. 'Kennedy was hit by a bullet that smashed into his light machine gun, knocking him to the ground, temporarily blinding and deafening him. 'Nevertheless, he continued to fight, gave first aid to the officer, and called in armoured support. 'He undoubtedly saved the life of his platoon commander, and without thought for his own safety, continued to engage the enemy and rally his fellow soldiers. 'Had this not happened the multiple would have taken many more casualties. 'All this was done by a private soldier with six months experience in the Army. Lance Corporal Kennedy (second from right) with (from left to right) Major Neil Grant, Corporal Craig Adkin and Captain Craig Brown at Buckingham Palace on the day they were all received the Military Cross for their respective heroism, July 9, 2010 'Kennedy acted with a level of composure and situational awareness above that expected of a private soldier. 'It is for this demonstration of selfless bravery and a cool head under fire that Kennedy is highly deserved of public recognition.' Lance Corporal Kennedy, originally from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, received his MC from the then Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace on July 9, 2010. At the time, he downplayed his heroism and said he had just been 'doing his job'. He said in a 2010 interview: 'I don't feel like a hero - that title should really go to those who go out to Afghanistan and don't make it back.' He remained in the Army for a few more years before returning to civilian life. Lance Corporal Kennedy, now aged in his early 30s, is selling his medals and the shrapnel-covered helmet he was wearing that day at Aubreys Auctioneers, of Guildford, Surrey. The auctioneers say his medals had become a 'painful reminder' of the horrors he lived in Afghanistan which had left him with PTSD. In the 20 years that British troops were deployed in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021, 457 UK armed forces personnel were killed. Lance Corporal Kennedy's medals are estimated at £20,000 to £30,000. Aubrey Dawson, managing director at Aubreys, said: 'L/Corp Kennedy has suffered with PTSD and, though proud of their meaning, his medals are a painful reminder of quite a difficult time. 'Letting them go is not a rejection but a step toward healing. 'He would like to move on with his life and hopes his medals go to a new home and to someone who will cherish them. 'What he did was an incredible act of bravery for someone of any age, but particularly somebody who was barely 18 - just remarkable.' Lance Corporal Kennedy is believed to be the youngest Military Cross recipient since the Second World War. His medal group consists of The Military Cross; The Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan; and the N.A.T.O. Medal 1994. The sale takes place on May 28.
The Courier
26-05-2025
- General
- The Courier
Families forge transatlantic bonds on back of century-old Angus war horse story
The astonishing story of a First World War army officer and his trusted mount continues to bridge the generations in Angus and America. In 2021, the remarkable tale of Captain Alexander Wallace and his chestnut mare, Vic, came to light. Their journey stretched from the tranquil farmland of the Angus coast to the horror of Flanders' fields, and home again. It was uncovered by Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre volunteers Sian Brewis and her late husband, Michael. Their detective work unearthed a story of how the elegant horse was selected by Capt. Wallace's father – and Arbroath vet – to go into battle with his beloved son. Together, the pair survived the war. Capt. Wallace was twice mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Military Cross for bravery. Vic was the only one of more than 130 Royal Field Artillery horses from the Forfarshire battery to return home. Capt. Wallace's fondness for the mare saw him ensure his brother bought her at auction. On May 10 1919 at Aldridge's Repository in London, the faithful steed was secured for the sum of 45 guineas. Fate then brought them together on a London railway platform as the officer was returning from leave just as the horse was starting her journey home. He emigrated to America and worked as an engineer. Capt. Wallace died in 1977. But Sandy, as he was known to his family, remained in touch with the McGregor farming family who gave Vic the life she deserved. On Saturday, those two families met at the air station museum for the first time to add the latest layers to the story of Montrose's War Horse. These include the gift of the Capt. Wallace's war diaries, brought from America by his grandchildren, John and Jeanne. It was a return visit to Angus for John, who made a poignant trip in 2022 to see the permanent display in honour of his grandfather. It features the soldier's tunic and medals. The US guests have also gifted the museum their forebear's cigar case. It is inscribed with the list of battle names Captain Wallace and Vic saw action in, including Festubert, the Somme, Amiens, Ypres and Passchendaele. Also there were Dave McGregor and his sister, Shona, the great-grandchildren of Mains of Rossie farmer William McGregor. The Angus family previously donated letters Alexander and William sent to each other in the post-war years. Those detailed Vic's war history, and in response Captain Wallace received updates on his companion. It was a special moment 106 years on from the friendship formed over the beautiful mare. The two families said it was an 'amazing' experience to finally meet, having each separately held Vic's story close to their hearts for a century until the Sian and Michael Brewis brought the pieces together. And the Montrose display now also includes a prized photograph of Vic and one of her foals at Rossie in 1920. Sian said: 'When the story was revealed four years ago we thought it was incredible. 'To have the families together and now hold these other special items in our hands is just amazing.' Angus Lord Lieutenant Pat Sawers accepted the latest donations on behalf of the air station museum. 'This event is one of the most poignant occasions I have had the honour to attend,' she said. 'Today completes the historic record of Captain Wallace and his loyal and trusted companion, Vic who endured the most horrific battles imaginable.'
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Telegraph
British minister investigated over gas used for Everest ascent
A British minister is being investigated for using a controversial gas to climb Mount Everest in record-breaking time. Al Carns, the veterans minister, was part of a group of ex-British Special Forces soldiers who flew the Union flag on the summit on Wednesday, after an arduous five-day climb. An ascent usually takes around two months with traditional acclimatisation methods. The 45-year-old Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, a Royal Marines Reserves colonel and former regular who was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in Afghanistan, undertook the expedition with three other veterans with the aim of raising £1 million for forces charities. Their achievement stunned the mountaineering world, but has been strongly criticised by the Nepalese government, which said it was not aware the team had used xenon gas to pre-acclimatise to the thin atmosphere on the mountain. 'We are investigating the travel agency and the climbers who used xenon gas for scaling Everest,' Narayan Prasad Regmi, Nepal's tourism chief, told The Telegraph. 'We will summon them, including the British minister, and take action as deemed fit under the law,' Mr Regmi added. He said xenon gas has never been used by climbers in Nepal before, and that there was a need for a clear legislation on whether it should be banned. 'All climbers and expedition organisers are required to declare the substances and equipment they use,' Mr Regmi said. In January, the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation said there was 'no evidence that breathing in xenon improves performance in the mountains, and inappropriate use can be dangerous'. 'The well-known and established methods of pre-[acclimatisation] and acclimatisation are safe and recommended,' it said. The expedition team maintains that it did not bring the gas into Nepal. The British team inhaled xenon at a clinic in Germany two weeks before the expedition to prevent altitude sickness. Some researchers claim it increases the production of a protein that fights hypoxia – a condition that occurs when the body cannot get enough oxygen. Critics say xenon's alleged performance benefits are unproven, and that it could harm the tourist industry if its use becomes widespread because climbers would spend less time on the mountain. Furtenbach Adventures, the Austria-based company that organised the climb, defended the group's use of the gas. 'Xenon improves acclimatisation, protects against altitude sickness and mitigates the effects of hypoxic environments,' said Lukas Furtenbach, the company's founder. 'It makes the climb safer and shorter while ensuring climbers are properly acclimatised, unlike those who rely solely on oxygen from Base Camp without prior acclimatisation, which is extremely dangerous. 'There was no breach of any Nepali regulation. What happens outside Nepal should not be under the purview of the Nepal government.' He went on to point out that shorter, xenon-aided expeditions had environmental benefits because they used fewer resources. To get used to thinner oxygen levels at high altitudes, climbers usually spend weeks going up and down between Base Camp and higher camps before making a push for the summit. Rajendra Bajgain, a Nepalese MP, told The Telegraph that 'the rise of short-duration climbs aided by xenon gas will hurt our mountain economy'. 'These quick summits reduce the need for local Sherpas, guides and kitchen staff, cutting off vital income for rural communities who have long depended on traditional expeditions,' he said. 'It will collapse the whole support ecosystem.' Urging the Nepalese government to ban the use of xenon, Mr Bajgain said there were 'no checklists, no oversight, and no concern for how this trend of rapid climbs, including use of helicopters, is displacing local labour'. Speaking from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu after completing the climb, Mr Carns told BirminghamLive he was 'incredibly proud' and 'feeling amazing' after breaking the record for the fastest of Everest without prior acclimatisation in the Himalayas. 'It was really tough – we walked pretty much non-stop for 55 hours, all uphill, to get to the top, but we did it,' he said. The minister described how upper reaches of the mountain were littered with bodies of those who have died attempting to conquer the peak, saying: 'It really brought it home, this was the death zone, where there is no room for error or accident.' Over 340 people have died trying to reach or return from the summit of Everest since it was first climbed by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Around 200 corpses are estimated to remain on the mountain's slopes because of the difficulties and costs of recovery missions. Mr Carns joined the Royal Marines aged 19 in 1999 and went on to serve as regular for 24 years. He completed five operational tours of Afghanistan and was due to be promoted to brigadier before leaving the forces for a career in politics. He was elected as Labour MP at last year's general election. Last July, he was appointed as parliamentary under-secretary of state for veterans and people, and in November he re-enlisted in the Royal Marines as a reservist. This week's expedition, which followed the southern route via South Col and the southeastern ridge, was the fastest ascent of Everest completed without prior Himalayan acclimatisation. The fastest climb with acclimatisation was achieved by Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, who reached the summit in 10 hours and 56 minutes in 2003. Mr Carns has been contacted for comment.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
British minister under investigation for climbing Everest using undeclared gas
A British minister is being investigated for using a controversial gas to climb Mount Everest in record-breaking time. Al Carns, the veterans minister, was part of a group of ex-British Special Forces soldiers who flew the Union flag on the summit on Wednesday, after an arduous five-day climb. An ascent usually takes around two months with traditional acclimatisation methods. The 45-year-old Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, a Royal Marines Reserves colonel and former regular who was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in Afghanistan, undertook the expedition with three other veterans with the aim of raising £1 million for forces charities. Their achievement stunned the mountaineering world, but has been strongly criticised by the Nepalese government, which said it was not aware the team had used xenon gas to pre-acclimatise to the thin atmosphere on the mountain. 'We are investigating the travel agency and the climbers who used xenon gas for scaling Everest,' Narayan Prasad Regmi, Nepal's tourism chief, told The Telegraph. 'We will summon them, including the British minister, and take action as deemed fit under the law,' Mr Regmi added. He said xenon gas has never been used by climbers in Nepal before, and that there was a need for a clear legislation on whether it should be banned. 'All climbers and expedition organisers are required to declare the substances and equipment they use,' Mr Regmi said. In January, the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation said there was 'no evidence that breathing in xenon improves performance in the mountains, and inappropriate use can be dangerous'. 'The well-known and established methods of pre-[acclimatisation] and acclimatisation are safe and recommended,' it said. The expedition team maintains that it did not bring the gas into Nepal. The British team inhaled xenon at a clinic in Germany two weeks before the expedition to prevent altitude sickness. Some researchers claim it increases the production of a protein that fights hypoxia – a condition that occurs when the body cannot get enough oxygen. Critics say xenon's alleged performance benefits are unproven, and that it could harm the tourist industry if its use becomes widespread because climbers would spend less time on the mountain. Furtenbach Adventures, the Austria-based company that organised the climb, defended the group's use of the gas. 'Xenon improves acclimatisation, protects against altitude sickness and mitigates the effects of hypoxic environments,' said Lukas Furtenbach, the company's founder. 'It makes the climb safer and shorter while ensuring climbers are properly acclimatised, unlike those who rely solely on oxygen from Base Camp without prior acclimatisation, which is extremely dangerous. 'There was no breach of any Nepali regulation. What happens outside Nepal should not be under the purview of the Nepal government.' He went on to point out that shorter, xenon-aided expeditions had environmental benefits because they used fewer resources. To get used to thinner oxygen levels at high altitudes, climbers usually spend weeks going up and down between Base Camp and higher camps before making a push for the summit. Rajendra Bajgain, a Nepalese MP, told The Telegraph that 'the rise of short-duration climbs aided by xenon gas will hurt our mountain economy'. 'These quick summits reduce the need for local Sherpas, guides and kitchen staff, cutting off vital income for rural communities who have long depended on traditional expeditions,' he said. 'It will collapse the whole support ecosystem.' Urging the Nepalese government to ban the use of xenon, Mr Bajgain said there were 'no checklists, no oversight, and no concern for how this trend of rapid climbs, including use of helicopters, is displacing local labour'. Speaking from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu after completing the climb, Mr Carns told BirminghamLive he was 'incredibly proud' and 'feeling amazing' after breaking the record for the fastest of Everest without prior acclimatisation in the Himalayas. 'It was really tough – we walked pretty much non-stop for 55 hours, all uphill, to get to the top, but we did it,' he said. The minister described how upper reaches of the mountain were littered with bodies of those who have died attempting to conquer the peak, saying: 'It really brought it home, this was the death zone, where there is no room for error or accident.' Over 340 people have died trying to reach or return from the summit of Everest since it was first climbed by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Around 200 corpses are estimated to remain on the mountain's slopes because of the difficulties and costs of recovery missions. Mr Carns joined the Royal Marines aged 19 in 1999 and went on to serve as regular for 24 years. He completed five operational tours of Afghanistan and was due to be promoted to brigadier before leaving the forces for a career in politics. He was elected as Labour MP at last year's general election. Last July, he was appointed as parliamentary under-secretary of state for veterans and people, and in November he re-enlisted in the Royal Marines as a reservist. This week's expedition, which followed the southern route via South Col and the southeastern ridge, was the fastest ascent of Everest completed without prior Himalayan acclimatisation. The fastest climb with acclimatisation was achieved by Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, who reached the summit in 10 hours and 56 minutes in 2003. Mr Carns has been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. 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