Defence

Corporal Budd's wife accepted the award on his behalf, which he received for two separate acts of exceptional valour while deployed in southern Afghanistan in July and August 2006.

Sadly, it was during the second incident, where Corporal Budd led an assault against Taliban fighters, that he lost his life.

The full text of his citation explains the incredible acts of bravery that led to Corporal Budd being honoured with a Victoria Cross, which, with the George Cross, ranks as the highest UK award for gallantry:

"During July and August 2006, A Company, 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment were deployed in the District Centre at Sangin. They were constantly under sustained attack from a combination of Taliban small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, mortar and rocket fire.

"On 27 July, whilst on a routine patrol, Corporal Bryan Budd's section identified and engaged two enemy gunmen on the roof of a building in the centre of Sangin. During the ensuing fierce fire-fight, two of Corporal Budd's section were hit. One was seriously injured and collapsed in the open ground, where he remained exposed to enemy fire, with rounds striking the ground around him. Corporal Budd realised that he needed to regain the initiative and that the enemy needed to be driven back so that the casualty could be evacuated.

"Under fire, he personally led the attack on the building where the enemy fire was heaviest, forcing the remaining fighters to flee across an open field where they were successfully engaged. This courageous and prompt action proved decisive in breaking the enemy and was undertaken at great personal risk. Corporal Budd's decisive leadership and conspicuous gallantry allowed his wounded colleague to be evacuated to safety where he subsequently received life-saving treatment.

"A month later, on 20th August, Corporal Budd was leading his section on the right forward flank of a platoon clearance patrol near Sangin District Centre. Another section was advancing with a Land Rover fitted with a .50 calibre heavy machine gun on the patrol's left flank. Pushing through thick vegetation, Corporal Budd identified a number of enemy fighters 30 metres ahead. Undetected, and in an attempt to surprise and destroy the enemy, Corporal Budd, initiated a flanking manoeuvre. However, the enemy spotted the Land Rover on the left flank and the element of surprise was lost for the whole platoon.

"In order to regain the initiative, Corporal Budd decided to assault the enemy and ordered his men to follow him. As they moved forward the section came under a withering fire that incapacitated three of his men. The continued enemy fire and these losses forced the section to take cover. But, Corporal Budd continued the assault on his own, knowing full well the likely consequences of doing so without the close support of his remaining men. He was wounded but continued to move forward, attacking and killing the enemy as he rushed their position.

"Inspired by Corporal Budd's example, the rest of the platoon reorganised and pushed forward their attack, eliminating more of the enemy and eventually forcing their withdrawal. Corporal Budd subsequently died of his wounds, and when his body was later recovered it was found surrounded by three dead Taliban.

"Corporal Budd's conspicuous gallantry during these two engagements saved the lives of many of his colleagues. He acted in the full knowledge that the rest of his men had either been struck down or had been forced to go to ground. His determination to press home a single-handed assault against a superior enemy force despite his wounds stands out as a premeditated act of inspirational leadership and supreme valour. In recognition of this, Corporal Budd is awarded the Victoria Cross."

Corporal Bryan Budd's wife, Mrs Lorena Budd, accepted the award at a presentation in the MOD's Main Building, saying:

"Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to say how proud I am to be accepting this incredible award on behalf of my husband, Bryan.

"Bryan, of course, will always be remembered by me as a loving husband and father to our two beautiful daughters, Isabelle and Imogen.

"This exceptional act of valour, and the subsequent award of the Victoria Cross, is representative of the sort of man Bryan was; he was a proud and passionate Parachute Regiment soldier and he was someone who was prepared to make the very highest sacrifice, doing the job he loved, with his comrades and friends in the regiment he loved.

"Today is a day to remember Bryan and I take enormous pride in remembering all his achievements. However, I would now be grateful if me, the girls and our families could be left alone to grieve privately and reflect on our loss at this emotional time.

"On a final note, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Major Bruce Radbourne of the Parachute Regiment for all the help he has provided and also for all the support I have received from all of 3 PARA."

Corporal Bryan James Budd was born on 16 July 1977 and lived in Ripon, North Yorkshire, with his wife Lorena who is a serving soldier in the Adjutant General's Corps.

Corporal Budd had served in the Army for ten years and enjoyed a distinguished career.

He enlisted into the Parachute Regiment in December 1995, subsequently passing the rigorous selection process for 16 Air Assault Brigade's Pathfinder Platoon, an elite unit specially trained for long range reconnaissance missions. Whilst part of that platoon he served in many operational theatres including Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, Macedonia, Afghanistan and Iraq.

He joined A Company of 3 PARA, in early June 2006 in the middle of Operation HERRICK IV, serving in Helmand Province at a time when the Company was principally concerned with helping the Afghan Government counter a resurgence in Taliban activity centred in and around the town of Sangin.

Living in such a beautiful part of the world, he loved the outdoors and would spend whatever time he could there. He is survived by his wife Lorena and two daughters: Isabelle, aged 2, and Imogen who was born in September 2006.