Posthumous award for Ulster soldier
ON a day fit for heroes, the proud family of an east Belfast soldier yesterday received a posthumous gallantry award.
Lance Corporal Nigel Moffett, who served with The Light Dragoons, was killed while on duty in Afghanistan last May.
The 28-year-old was honoured with the oldest form of recognition – a Mention in Despatches – for his courageous actions whilst serving in the strife-torn region.
The award was collected on his behalf by his father, Nigel, and stepmother, Carol, as part of a recognition ceremony at Ballykinler Army base.
Friends and family lined the parade square as operational awards and honours were presented by the General Officer Commanding 3rd Division, Major General, James Everard.
Under the auspices of 19 Light Brigade, The 2nd Battalion the Rifles, based at Ballykinler, lost 14 men and had 41 others seriously injured during its deployment last year.
The brigade which comprises elements from Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Germany, spent six months in the dangerous Helmand province where its personnel faced attack on an almost daily basis.
Addressing the assembled military personnel, Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Bill Wright said: "You should be fantastically proud of the battalion and of the whole battle-group. The awards are not just a reflection on individuals, but of the whole team and our thoughts and prayers today are with those who didn't make it back."
Lance Corporal Moffett's award related to an act of bravery only two weeks before his death.
The Holywood man and his commander, Lance Corporal Davies, were in a vehicle when it came under enemy attack near near Nahr-e-Saraj.
According to the citation: "With complete disregard for his own safety, Moffett climbed out of the driver's seat into the line of fire."
Engaging the enemy with a heavy machine gun, the Ulsterman kept firing until the weapon developed a serious fault and had to be replaced.
The citation continues: "Moffett's actions contributed significantly to the suppression of accurate enemy fire, emanating only 300 metres from the troop's position. His timely and courageous actions enabled other members of the troop to mount their own weapon systems and return fire, thus suppressing and killing the attacking enemy forces and preventing injuries from being sustained by the company."
More than 150 awards for gallantry and meritorious service were included in the latest operational awards list, which covers the period April 1 to September 30 2009.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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