Shropshire-based soldiers honoured for bravery in Afghanistan
It was a gruelling five-month tour, facing a major terror attack and its aftermath
Now two soldiers are being honoured for their work in the volatility of post-war Afghanistan.
Sergeant Andrew Mather, 33, of 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment (1 R IRISH), is based at Clive Barracks, Tern Hill, near Market Drayton.
Warrant Officer (Class 2) Peter Keogh, 37, was born and brought up in Durban, South Africa, but now lives in Tern Hill with his family.
Both have been praised for their courage in the most difficult circumstances.
Sgt Mather was crucial in helping the wounded in the aftermath of a devastating suicide bomb close to the German Embassy in Kabul in May last year.
Warrant Officer Keogh devised an "inspired" medical response system during his time in Kabul as well as coming up with vital counters to the threat of magnetic improvised explosive devices (MAIEDs), used to attack British forces.
Sgt Mather will receive a Mention In Despatches for his actions, while WO 2 Keogh, who also received a Military Cross in 2011, will be given the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS).
'Utter carnage'
Sgt Mather's actions came in the wake of the bomb which killed more than 150 people.
The soldier, from Liverpool, was said to have saved lives with "rapid reactions and determination" in the face of "utter carnage".
His citation states: “Mather, who was operating metres away from within the inner cordon at the German Embassy, went to assess the scene. Inevitably, given the size of the attack, he was met with utter carnage and an intelligence report indicated that there was imminent threat of a subsequent attack targeting incident responders.
“Mather acted without hesitation and co-ordinated the initial Quick Reaction Force response. Directing the stretcher party, he administered immediate first-aid despite casualties continuing to appear, threatening to overwhelm his party.
“With a US Airforce medical helicopter inbound, he had a short window to extract casualties to the New Kabul Compound landing site. Mather reacted immediately, securing a safe route, while preparing the casualties for extraction to ensure the highest priority casualties made it to the rendezvous.
“Saving precious seconds, he moved four of the injured into Foxhound vehicles, to achieve the helicopter timings; this took exceptional skill given the porous local security force cordon, disruptive civilian crowds – all in the knowledge of a potential secondary attack.
“Amongst all this devastation and complexity, Mather led his small team to overcome all challenges through clarity of thought and decisive action, saving at least one life and preventing the deterioration of others.”
Sgt Mather said: “I’m honoured to receive this award, however I wouldn’t be receiving it without the support of my chain of command and the tireless work ethic of the lads in my platoon.”
Dynamic deployment
WO 2 Keogh's actions included important contributions to improving vehicle IED (improvised explosive device) drills, airborne reaction force procedures and the casualty evacuation process in theatre.
His citation states: “Throughout a dynamic deployment he exploited his professional expertise to observe and develop counters to the evolving threat of magnetic improvised explosive devices (MAIEDs). He has analysed Air Reaction Force (ARF) procedures and refined existing tactics.
“He also created a medical response dashboard, now part of NATOs Common Operating Picture of Kabul, the scale of what Keogh has delivered is incredible. What is more impressive is that he delivered this work in addition to his extremely busy day job.
“Keogh’s innovative idea was simple yet inspired and enabled immediate access to the quickest routes and UK approved helicopter-landing sites.
"Not only NATO sites, but he also incorporated the data for local Afghan medical facilities, saving critical planning time for first responders.
“He has been at the centre of each incident response, putting himself at risk and using that unique position to stress test new capabilities.
"His achievements have already helped save lives and protect the force, and these enhancements will endure to support future missions."
WO 2 Keogh said: “It is an honour to accept this award on behalf of the hard work, courage and determination that the men of B Company showed during this unusually busy tour. It is dedicated to all those members of B Company who I served with in Kabul.”
Lieutenant Colonel Matt Lewis, Commanding Officer of 1 R IRISH, added: “I am extremely proud of the performance of our officers and soldiers on Op Toral. Although the battalion is no stranger to Afghanistan, this eight-month tour of Kabul brought new challenges and called for different qualities to those demanded by our previous experiences in Helmand Province.
"These awards underline the courage, professionalism and commitment of our people.”
