By Lars Niven

A YOUNG marine from Fife who took part in the daring mission to recover the body of a colleague killed in Afghanistan has insisted he was just doing his job.

Gary Robinson, from Rosyth, and three fellow Royal Marines were flown into a Taliban stronghold to find Lance Corporal Mathew Ford.

L/Cpl Ford, of Arbroath’s 45 Commando, was shot dead during an assault on Jugroom Fort in Helmand province.

Gary, who grew up in west Fife, was among dozens of men who volunteered to return to hunt for their fallen comrade.

The team strapped themselves to the sides of two Apache attack helicopters in the first operation of its kind, which took place a week past Monday.

They were flown in under fire clinging to the wingpods and managed to recover L/Cpl Ford’s body.

Gary, who attended Inverkeithing High School, played down the “Heroes of Helmand” tag one London newspaper gave the commandos.

“All that was going through my head was basically what to do when we got on the ground and just make sure I knew exactly where I was going so I could reach L/Cpl Ford as soon as possible and get out myself,” he said.

“As far as I’m concerned any of my colleagues would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed.

“I don’t think it was heroic or dangerous in any way.

“At the end of the day it’s our job to do things like this.”

The idea of hitching a lift with the Apaches came from a pilot, who argued they could be in and out in five minutes.

The only alternative was another attack on the fort.

They flew in at low level at about 50 mph to protect the passengers and touched down inside the fort.

Although they caught the Taliban by surprise it was not long before they found themselves under fire.

As other Apaches provided covering fire from above, the marines quickly managed to find their fallen colleague.

Gary said when they were asked to volunteer for the mission no one hesitated.

“They asked for volunteers and everyone put their hands up,” he said.

“The commanding officer picked four of us and I was one of them.

“As we came in there was a lot of firepower going down with our air assets and artillery.

“I knew L/Cpl Ford. I served with him, but in my position any one of my colleagues would do the same, I’m sure, so I don’t think I’ve done anything heroic or brave or out of the ordinary.”

The 26-year-old has been in the Royal Marines for two years and has spent the past three months in Afghanistan.

He is due home on leave in a couple of weeks.

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Willie Rennie has insisted the servicemen should receive medals for their bravery.