'One in a trillion' bullet soldier honoured for bravery

Lance Corporal Simon Moloney. Credit: PA

A soldier who was shot through the neck but carried on fighting to save his comrades has been given one of the military's highest awards for courage.

Doctors told Lance Corporal Simon Moloney the odds of the bullet missing his airway and major arteries were "a trillion to one," but despite bleeding heavily, he returned to his post and carried on firing at insurgents for 90 minutes before being flown to safety.

A colleague who risked his own life to treat him has also been honoured.

"I thought that was me, game over," said Simon, who serves with the Blues and Royals. "To me that was it, I had a few minutes to go out with a bang and do what I could."

Simon and his colleagues had broken into an insurgent command compound in Afghanistan last July. He and a machine gunner were providing cover for their colleagues from a rooftop, when he was shot by an enemy sniper.

His friend, Lance Corporal Wes Masters, rushed to his side, running 400 metres under heavy fire to offer first aid. He treated Simon for fifteen minutes, despite grenades landing within just a few metres of them. He had to persuade Simon to sit still while he created a bandage to stem the bleeding.

Lance Corporal Simon Moloney, receiving medical attention from Lance Corporal Wesley Masters after being shot in the neck. Credit: MOD

"He was quite calm. He just wanted to get back into the fight," said Wes. "I'm all up for people cracking on but I needed to keep him with me for a while to make sure he wasn't going to die."

Looking through his rifle sight, and by shouting through the effects of his throat injury, Simon passed vital information to his colleagues to win the firefight.

He only broke contact to allow the medic to check his dressings, and was only extracted by helicoper against his will. His actions are likely to have prevented many other casualties.

Lance Corporal Simon Moloney and Lance Corporal Wesley Masters. Credit: PA

"The firefight we were in, there was no time for questions. You had to carry on. It was only a matter of time before the Taliban were pushing through the door."

He has been awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, one of only around 50 to be awarded since it was created in 1993. He paid tribute to the comrade who saved his life.

"I definitely owe him one. I owe him my life. He had complete confidence in himself and complete confidence in his job."

Wes has been awarded the Military Cross for his actions. They are among 117 military personnel being given honours for exceptional service in Afghanistan between March and September last year.