Getting a gong from the Queen was scarier than 60 Taliban, says war-hero soldier

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

But the most daunting moment in Royal Marine Corporal John Thompson's courageous career as a commando came in the grand ballroom at Buckingham Palace yesterday - when he collected a gallantry medal from the Queen.

"I'm quite happy getting shot at all day but that was the scariest thing that's ever happened to me," he said afterwards.

Pinning yet another medal to his chest, he added: "It's a bit embarrassing when the Queen asks you what you did - I didn't really want to say I took out 60 Taliban, so I just told her I got blown up in an ambush."

The 29-year-old Corporal, from 42 Royal Marine Commando in Devon, was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for repeated displays of "exceptional bravery and leadership under fire".

The medal is the highest military prize after the Victoria Cross.

He led a series of operations during six months in Helmand province from October 2006 to last April, during which time his only injury was perforated ear drums.

During one attack, he deliberately drew fire away from his colleagues after they were caught in a deadly ambush.

But they emerged as victors after Corporal Thompson, who is married with a seven-year-old daughter, fired 4,500 rounds from a mounted machine gun, two Javelin missiles and 5,000 other machine gun rounds during what became an intense battle lasting four hours.

Yesterday he said: "There are a lot more people out there who deserve this medal equally as much as I do.

"And it's a great shame they're coming home to find that the Government is giving virtually nothing to the armed forces while they're bailing out banks and throwing money at everything else."

• Last Of The Summer Wine star Peter Sallis, 86, was 'honoured and delighted' to receive an OBE.

Sallis said the Queen referred to the Wallace and Gromit films, in which he is the voice of the cheese-loving Wallace.

"The Queen said it must have great fun doing it. I said it still is.

'She said, "You're going to do a new Wallace and Gromit".

She knew about it all, bless her heart."