Sapper Sean Cameron, from Perthshire was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Operational Honours List, published this month.
The award is granted for bravery which has entailed risk to life and merits national recognition.
As a member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, Sean was often dropped into dangerous territory in the Afghanistan war zone to root out devices.
Sean attended Coupar Angus Primary School and then Blairgowrie High School.
He completed a preparation for the army course at Perth College, where he won the award for best student, and left in January 1999 to join the Royal Engineers, three weeks before his 18th birthday.
As well as completing his basic training, he also trained as a plumber. His proud mother, Jayne Cameron, said Sean’s exploits continue a family tradition in the armed services.
She said: “He always wanted to join the army. His dad, Douglas, joined The Black Watch as a junior soldier and served for over eight years in total.
“Both his godfather and uncle served 22 years. He has travelled to Gibraltar and Belize during his service.”
Sean transferred to the EOD and worked as a searcher in Afghanistan.
He received his commendation for bravery in recognition of the work he did in this role, often being dropped into Taliban hotspots and being under gunfire as he went about his job.
His unit completed many very successful ops during his tour. Sean left for Afghanistan in December 2012 and returned at the end of June.
He went to Mauritius in July for a well-earned rest and married his now-wife, Rachel. He is based near Cambridge and is now in training ahead of a deployment to Kenya.