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Award soldier defused Forkhill bomb Forkhill bomb expert is honoured
(10 minutes later)
An army bomb disposal expert who helped defuse a device found near the border this week has been honoured by the Queen for his bravery. An Army bomb disposal expert who helped defuse a device found near the border this week has been honoured by the Queen for his bravery.
Sergeant Major Colin Grant has been awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal for saving 'countless' lives through his work in Afghanistan. Sergeant Major Colin Grant has been awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal for saving "countless" lives through his work in Afghanistan.
Earlier this week, he was involved in defusing a 600lb bomb found at Forkhill in South Armagh.Earlier this week, he was involved in defusing a 600lb bomb found at Forkhill in South Armagh.
He said he was 'thrilled' to have his work recognised. He said he was "thrilled" to have his work recognised.
Normally based at Shorncliffe in Kent, the 38-year-old was in Northern Ireland this week.Normally based at Shorncliffe in Kent, the 38-year-old was in Northern Ireland this week.
He and his colleagues spent seven days defusing the bomb, which was packed into a chemical drum.He and his colleagues spent seven days defusing the bomb, which was packed into a chemical drum.
The PSNI said they believed it was designed to kill police officers patrolling the area.The PSNI said they believed it was designed to kill police officers patrolling the area.
Sergeant Major Grant served in Helmand province from October last year until April.Sergeant Major Grant served in Helmand province from October last year until April.
During that time he helped destroy up to 60 improvised explosive devices.During that time he helped destroy up to 60 improvised explosive devices.
He said it would take some time for news of the award to sink in.He said it would take some time for news of the award to sink in.
"It's hard to describe the feeling. You never expect to be recognised in this way but it is very rewarding and I'm thrilled," he said. "It's hard to describe the feeling. You never expect to be recognised in this way, but it is very rewarding and I'm thrilled," he said.
PressurePressure
"It's really recognition of the work of all the other operators as well. They are doing a wonderful job, taking unreal personal risks to ensure the safety of their colleagues and civilians.""It's really recognition of the work of all the other operators as well. They are doing a wonderful job, taking unreal personal risks to ensure the safety of their colleagues and civilians."
The citation on the award reads:The citation on the award reads:
"Throughout Operation Herrick, Sergeant Major Grant regularly operated under the most intense pressure, his selfless actions saved numerous lives. He took pride in reducing the IED threat posed and readily placed himself in harm's way to do so.""Throughout Operation Herrick, Sergeant Major Grant regularly operated under the most intense pressure, his selfless actions saved numerous lives. He took pride in reducing the IED threat posed and readily placed himself in harm's way to do so."
Sergeant Major Grant said he was particularly pleased to tell his father of his award.Sergeant Major Grant said he was particularly pleased to tell his father of his award.
"My dad was in the Royal Engineers for 22 years, and understands fully the honour and pride I feel," he added."My dad was in the Royal Engineers for 22 years, and understands fully the honour and pride I feel," he added.
"It was an emotional phone call. Mum and dad are both very proud of the work I do and now the recognition of that work.""It was an emotional phone call. Mum and dad are both very proud of the work I do and now the recognition of that work."
The Queen's Gallantry Medal ranks below the George Cross and George Medal for acts of exemplary bravery by the civilian population.The Queen's Gallantry Medal ranks below the George Cross and George Medal for acts of exemplary bravery by the civilian population.
It is also occasionally awarded to military personnel for acts for which military honours would not normally be appropriate, such as acts of bravery not in the presence of the enemy.It is also occasionally awarded to military personnel for acts for which military honours would not normally be appropriate, such as acts of bravery not in the presence of the enemy.