Soldier honoured for bravery

Lieutenant Thomas Onion, of 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, attached to 5 Rifles in Helmand, was based in an area littered with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The 25-year-old, who led 75 patrols in just 12 weeks, coming under attack during 20 of them, was awarded a Mention in Despatches for immense courage in the face of repeated enemy fire and helping to save gravely injured comrades.

In the first of three attacks mentioned in his citation, Lt Onion was instrumental to the speedy extraction of the soldier who lost his legs after detonating an IED.

The patrol was driving into the heart of an enemy stronghold where a large cache of weapons was known to be stored.

The speed of his reactions to get the casualty to safety helped save the soldier's life.

Just six days later Lt Onion, from Derby, was again forced to react with speed and compassion when another IED was detonated during a patrol through a village seeded with the deadly devices.

The blast hit one of the soldiers who was providing fire support, blowing off both legs and inflicting massive injuries to his torso.

Narrowly missing two further IEDs hidden nearby, Lt Onion raced 40 metres to the casualty's side.

Lt Onion dragged the casualty to safety and administered first-aid while simultaneously organising a casualty evacuation, getting the casualty into surgery within 21 minutes of the blast - the quickest extraction yet.

The 25-year-old was awarded a Mention in Despatches for immense courage in the face of repeated enemy fire and helping to save gravely injured comrades in an area littered with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).