RM awarded Military Cross

[Rob Parry]

Royal Marine Awarded Military Cross for Afghanistan Bravery




19th Mar 2010
Warrant Officer 1 Matthew Tomlinson
A Royal Marine who saved lives under fire has been awarded the Military Cross, one of the highest awards for gallantry for his actions during combat operations in Afghanistan.

Warrant Officer 1 Matthew Tomlinson has been recognised for his bravery while under heavy concentrated fire by the Taleban while patrolling in an five-strong armoured Viking vehicle convoy near Bashran, Helmand Province, during Operation Herrick in May last year.

Matthew, 43, of Street, Somerset, was patrolling with the Armoured Support Group, part of 3 Commando Brigade, when the lead Viking was partly blown up by a mine (an improvised explosive device).

The convoy halted and then came under sustained heavy rocket propelled grenade fire from one side from the hidden enemy.

Oblivious to his safety, Matthew left his Viking and ran 50 metres to the stricken vehicle which was on fire and helped rescue the troops in the back. Not only did the troops have to avoid the fire and the possibility of the 4,000 rounds of ammunition exploding on the damaged Viking, but they had to dodge the enemy fire while aware of the ever present danger of a second mine.

Amid this intense battle Matthew also directed return fire on to the Taleban and attended to the seriously injured driver of the damaged Viking with the help of soldiers of the Queen’s Royal Hussars the Vikings were escorting. While the cab fire was spreading and ammunition was exploding they continued to administer medical care to the driver utilising the cover of the Viking.

Matthew then further risked his life by searching for a Royal Marine who had been manning the gun turret on top of the damaged Viking. He found the turret had been blown some distance away with the Marine still inside, but already dead.

Running back to the Viking, he again directed return fire from supporting Welsh Guards onto the enemy. Then with help, he recovered both the driver and the turret gunner on stretchers to relative safety. The patrol then withdrew and the casualties were flown out. In the meantime the enemy fire had been suppressed.

Matthew said:

“I am very proud and feel highly honoured to be recognised with the Military Cross. However, I must say that these were tragic circumstances. Also I could not have acted with the confidence I did without the assurance that I had a top team behind me. I know that if my Viking had been hit, then I know the lads would have acted in exactly the same way."

“They were effectively a band of brothers because they worked so well together. I was in charge of their welfare, morale and fighting effectiveness for seven months and I am still very proud to have served with them. The ranks of the Armoured Support Group are the real heroes."

The Viking units, whose primary role is protected mobility, act as independent patrols in their own right or escort other forces on patrol and deliver stores such as equipment, ammunition and water. They also carry out emergency medical evacuation of casualties.

Matthew now serves with 1 Assault Group Royal Marines in HM Naval Base, Devonport, Plymouth, as a landing craft advisor to 300 Marines. He has already served in Afghanistan and Iraq and been awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for the latter. He has also served in N Ireland, Sierra Leone, Congo, Hong Kong, USA, Zaire and French Guyana.

Matthew, who joined the Marines in 1989 is married to Sharon, has three children - daughter Ellis, 13, Harvey, six, and Daniel, four. His mother Wendy lives in Street, Somerset and father Richard lives in Yeovil, Somerset. He will receive his award at a later date.


Well done Royal.

[tdrt]

Outstanding!

[doc h fmf]

I not sure but I think its equevelent to the Navy Cross. They should have given him the Victoria Cross. He is a real hero. God bless him

[Rocky C]

outstanding!!!

[USNAviator]

Will agree with all, an outstanding job. Odd thing is that the Military Cross (MC) is only awarded to Officers and Warrant Officers.

[doc h fmf]

THANKYOU CMDR. O'Shea I DIDNT KNOW THAT,VERY INTERESTING!!!!!


STEPHEN DOC HANSEN HM3 FMF

[Rocky C]

Will agree with all, an outstanding job. Odd thing is that the Military Cross (MC) is only awarded to Officers and Warrant Officers.

???
He Is.......

Warrant Officer 1 Matthew Tomlinson

[USNAviator]

Yes he is a Warrant Officer and as such is entitled to the MC. Don't know what they award the enlisted. No matter what his rank, one hell of a Royal Marine!!!!!

[USNAviator]

You're welcome Doc, always glad to see a fellow Squid on board

[Rob Parry]

Just a quick update. The Military Cross awards system was changed in 1993. It is now awarded to all ranks. Previously it was awarded only to officers and warrant officers.

The last Victoria Cross to be awarded was to Private Johnson Beharry 1st Bn, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. Please take a moment to read the citation. The medal is made from the cascabel of a cannon used at Sebastapol. It is estimated that there is enough metal for approximately 80 - 85 more medals.


http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbbeharr.htm

[FistFu68]

[hbharrison]

Will agree with all, an outstanding job. Odd thing is that the Military Cross (MC) is only awarded to Officers and Warrant Officers.

I asked a friend who is from over there and he said that the Military Cross is the third highest metal and that it can now be given to all ranks but the Victoria Cross is the same as are MOH. But what ever a to him.

[USNAviator]

Thanks for the update. Apparently I had faulty intel

Dan

[Rob Parry]

This link will take you to a page showing the decorations and the outline requirements for the awards.

http://www.operations.mod.uk/honours/honours.htm

[hbharrison]

Thanks for the update. Apparently I had faulty intel

Dan

So did I as that is what I was told until I ask my friend he was in the British artiliry in the 60's now he lives here in the USA. And thanks RP looks like the Britts don't give out to many metals do they but they do give out some of them to civies go figger