Bryan Budd: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Budd.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Bryan James Budd VC]] |
[[Image:Budd.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Bryan James Budd VC]] |
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[[Image:Victoria Cross Medal Ribbon & Bar.jpg|right|thumb|The Victoria Cross]] |
[[Image:Victoria Cross Medal Ribbon & Bar.jpg|right|thumb|The Victoria Cross]] |
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'''Bryan James Budd''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] ([[16 July]], [[1977]] - [[20 August]], [[2006]]) was a [[corporal]] in the 3rd Battalion, the [[Parachute Regiment]] of the [[British Army]]. He was killed while on active service in [[Afghanistan]]. |
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Budd died of injuries sustained during a fire fight with [[Taliban]] forces in [[Sangin]], [[Helmand Province]]. The incident occurred whilst he was on a routine patrol close to the District Centre. He was the 20th UK serviceman to die in [[Afghanistan]] since the start of operations in November, [[2001]]. |
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Budd died of injuries sustained during a fire fight with [[Taliban]] forces in [[Sangin]], [[Helmand Province]]. The incident occurred whilst he was on a routine patrol close to the District Centre. |
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He was posthumously awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] on [[14 December]], [[2006]]. This is the first such award since the [[Falklands Conflict]] in [[1982]]. |
He was posthumously awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] on [[14 December]], [[2006]]. This is the first such award since the [[Falklands Conflict]] in [[1982]]. |
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==Biography== |
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Budd had been in the [[British Army]] for ten years, serving with the [[Parachute Regiment]]'s elite Pathfinder Platoon, which is used to carry out reconnaissance deep behind enemy lines. As part of the Pathfinders, he served in many operational theatres including former [[Yugoslavia]], [[Sierra Leone]], [[Macedonia]], [[Afghanistan]] and [[Iraq]] during his service<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/08/22/npara22.xml</ref>. |
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In May [[2002]] Budd passed his section commander's battle course with distinction, and was due to be promoted to platoon sergeant. Cpl Budd was a qualified combat survival instructor, rock climber and freefall parachutist. He was posted to the Army Foundation College in [[Harrogate]] in [[2004]] where he trained young soldiers<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,,1855494,00.html</ref>. |
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In June [[2006]], Budd joined A Company, 3 Para as part of the 3,600-strong British task force. Posted to [[Afghanistan]], A Company, 3 Para was based in the northern Afghanistan town of [[Sangin]] in [[Helmand province]]. |
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Due to come home on [[25 August]], [[2006]] Budd was killed five days before on [[20 August]] defending his section against heavy [[Taliban]] attack outside [[Sangin]], [[Afghanistan]], allowing the section to return to safety. His body was recovered an hour later, and he was confirmed dead. |
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Budd's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Tootal, described Budd at the time of his death as "an outstanding leader" who had a professional manner "that inspired confidence in all that worked with him". Tootal said: ''"Bryan died doing the job he loved, leading his men from the front, where he always was. He was proud to call himself a paratrooper and we were proud to stand beside him."'' |
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On the [[14 December]], [[2006]] the [[Ministry of Defence]] confirmed the award of the Victoria Cross<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/6179661.stm</ref> His was the first postumous VC award since the [[Falklands]] conflict. |
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==Death== |
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On [[20 August]], [[2006]] 3 Para’s A Company were located in the northern Afghanistan town of [[Sangin]]. Cpl Budd and his platoon were ordered to hold a small, isolated coalition outpost - dubbed a platoon house - to protect engineers blowing holes in a compound 500 metres away. The site was subject to almost daily [[Taliban]] onslaught for months. |
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On the day, there were three sections on patrol, a total of 24men, spread out in a head-high cornfield around the compound. Budd spotted four Taliban approaching, to a distance of 50 metres away. With just hand signals, Budd led his section in a flanking manoeuvre round to the cornfield’s outskirts to try to cut them off, but they were spotted and the Taliban opened fire on the troops. A further group of Taliban opened up fire from a wall further back. The British soldiers took heavy fire, kneeling or lying down trying to take cover. One soldier recieved a bullet in the shoulder, and another was shot in the nose. |
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Realising his section were taking heavy fire and were likely to be killed, Budd got up and rushed straight through the corn in the direction of the Taliban, now just 20 metres away. Budd open up on them on fully automatic mode with his rifle, and contact was immediatly lost but the Taliban fire lessened and allowed the rest of his section to withdraw back to safety so the casualties could be treated. |
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After withdrawl, Budd was declared missing in action and practically the whole of 3 Company was then sent back to find him. Apache and Harrier air support was called in to beat the Taliban back. An hour later Budd's body was found beside two dead Taliban. It was clear he had killed the two Taliban, but had resultantly been hit himself either by the two Taliban he shot or those from behind the wall. |
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Budd was badly wounded and had no pulse. The company sergeant major recovered his body on a quad bike, but he was declared dead on arrival at the platoon hose. |
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==Personal life== |
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Budd was married to Lorena Budd, a clerk in 5 Regiment, [[Royal Artillery]] at [[Catterick]], [[North Yorkshire]]. The couple had a daughter Isabelle (born [[2004]]), and a son born a month after Budd died in Afghanistan. |
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*A '''Trust Fund''' has been set up for Cpl Budd’s young family. Cheques should be made payable to The Bryan Budd Memorial Fund, c/o RHQ PARA, Flagstaff House, Colchester, Napier Road, Essex, CO2 7SW |
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==References== |
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<references/> |
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*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5269272.stm BBC] |
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*[http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2006480102,00.html Sun - description of actions] |
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*[http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006480189,00.html Sun] follow up story |
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*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,,1855494,00.html Guardian] |
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*[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/08/22/npara22.xml Telegraph] |
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*[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2323045,00.html Times] |
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*[http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/661954/Main/661954 Google Earth - location of battle] |
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[[Category:1977 births|Budd, Bryan]] |
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[[Category:2006 deaths|Budd, Bryan]] |
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[[Category:People from Yorkshire|Budd, Bryan]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:British Army soldiers|Budd, Bryan]] |
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[[Category:Afghanistan|Budd, Bryan]] |
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[[Category:British Victoria Cross recipients|Budd, Bryan]] |
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Revision as of 14:20, 14 December 2006
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
Bryan James Budd VC (16 July, 1977 - 20 August, 2006) was a corporal in the 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment of the British Army. He was killed while on active service in Afghanistan.
Budd died of injuries sustained during a fire fight with Taliban forces in Sangin, Helmand Province. The incident occurred whilst he was on a routine patrol close to the District Centre. He was the 20th UK serviceman to die in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November, 2001.
He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on 14 December, 2006. This is the first such award since the Falklands Conflict in 1982.
Biography
Budd had been in the British Army for ten years, serving with the Parachute Regiment's elite Pathfinder Platoon, which is used to carry out reconnaissance deep behind enemy lines. As part of the Pathfinders, he served in many operational theatres including former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, Macedonia, Afghanistan and Iraq during his service[1].
In May 2002 Budd passed his section commander's battle course with distinction, and was due to be promoted to platoon sergeant. Cpl Budd was a qualified combat survival instructor, rock climber and freefall parachutist. He was posted to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate in 2004 where he trained young soldiers[2].
In June 2006, Budd joined A Company, 3 Para as part of the 3,600-strong British task force. Posted to Afghanistan, A Company, 3 Para was based in the northern Afghanistan town of Sangin in Helmand province.
Due to come home on 25 August, 2006 Budd was killed five days before on 20 August defending his section against heavy Taliban attack outside Sangin, Afghanistan, allowing the section to return to safety. His body was recovered an hour later, and he was confirmed dead.
Budd's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Tootal, described Budd at the time of his death as "an outstanding leader" who had a professional manner "that inspired confidence in all that worked with him". Tootal said: "Bryan died doing the job he loved, leading his men from the front, where he always was. He was proud to call himself a paratrooper and we were proud to stand beside him."
On the 14 December, 2006 the Ministry of Defence confirmed the award of the Victoria Cross[3] His was the first postumous VC award since the Falklands conflict.
Death
On 20 August, 2006 3 Para’s A Company were located in the northern Afghanistan town of Sangin. Cpl Budd and his platoon were ordered to hold a small, isolated coalition outpost - dubbed a platoon house - to protect engineers blowing holes in a compound 500 metres away. The site was subject to almost daily Taliban onslaught for months.
On the day, there were three sections on patrol, a total of 24men, spread out in a head-high cornfield around the compound. Budd spotted four Taliban approaching, to a distance of 50 metres away. With just hand signals, Budd led his section in a flanking manoeuvre round to the cornfield’s outskirts to try to cut them off, but they were spotted and the Taliban opened fire on the troops. A further group of Taliban opened up fire from a wall further back. The British soldiers took heavy fire, kneeling or lying down trying to take cover. One soldier recieved a bullet in the shoulder, and another was shot in the nose.
Realising his section were taking heavy fire and were likely to be killed, Budd got up and rushed straight through the corn in the direction of the Taliban, now just 20 metres away. Budd open up on them on fully automatic mode with his rifle, and contact was immediatly lost but the Taliban fire lessened and allowed the rest of his section to withdraw back to safety so the casualties could be treated.
After withdrawl, Budd was declared missing in action and practically the whole of 3 Company was then sent back to find him. Apache and Harrier air support was called in to beat the Taliban back. An hour later Budd's body was found beside two dead Taliban. It was clear he had killed the two Taliban, but had resultantly been hit himself either by the two Taliban he shot or those from behind the wall.
Budd was badly wounded and had no pulse. The company sergeant major recovered his body on a quad bike, but he was declared dead on arrival at the platoon hose.
Personal life
Budd was married to Lorena Budd, a clerk in 5 Regiment, Royal Artillery at Catterick, North Yorkshire. The couple had a daughter Isabelle (born 2004), and a son born a month after Budd died in Afghanistan.
- A Trust Fund has been set up for Cpl Budd’s young family. Cheques should be made payable to The Bryan Budd Memorial Fund, c/o RHQ PARA, Flagstaff House, Colchester, Napier Road, Essex, CO2 7SW