An RAF sergeant who defended Camp Bastion against armed insurgents has been presented with one of the armed forces’ highest honours, the Military Cross, by the Queen at an investiture ceremony at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
Sergeant Roy Geddes, pictured, from Elgin, was said to have breathed fire into the spirit of his men as the night attack on the Afghanistan base raged last September.
He was alerted to the attack by many explosions and gunfire erupting on the North Eastern side of the airfield.
Although he had no idea what he was facing, he and Corporal Kurt Lee instantly went into action, driving through through total darkness towards the sound of the explosions.
The only illumination came from burning aircraft and fuel as, in his words, the terrorists had “totalled” five Harriers and a fuel storage area.
As Sergeant Geddes and his unit closed in on the intruders, they came under unexpected and extremely accurate rocket-propelled grenade and machine-gun fire as they tried to locate the next enemy position.
The Jackal vehicle Sergeant Geddes was in was hit by a grenade, wounding all of the crew, including the father of three.
However, despite his severe injury, he continued to rally his team and staunchly defend his position against withering fire before supporting forces were able to come to their aid.
Ignoring a wounded knee, Sergeant Geddes continued to command his men, galvanising them against the onslaught.
His citation explained it was only at first light, when the airfield had been secured, that he sought medical attention and then only because he was ordered to by his squadron commander.
Now fully recovered, Sergeant Geddes, who said it was a privilege to be honoured by the Queen, paid tribute to his team.
“I had 12 men behind me this is for them as well as me,” he said.