Family of soldier awarded VC speak of his bravery

The family of a soldier from Northamptonshire who has been awarded the Victoria Cross have been speaking about his bravery.

Lance Corporal James Ashworth from Corby was 23 when he was killed on patrol with the 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards in Helmand Province last June. He was protecting his comrades when he died.

Now he will posthumously receive The Victoria Cross, which is one of the rarest military honours.

Lance Corporal Ashworth's mother Kerry, father Duane, and younger brother Coran were at Aldershot Army base in Hampshire this morning while the citation for his award was read aloud.

It states: "Despite the ferocity of the insurgent's resistance, Ashworth refused to be beaten.

"His total disregard for his own safety in ensuring that the last grenade was posted accurately was the gallant last action of a soldier who had willingly placed himself in the line of fire on numerous occasions earlier in the attack.