Second George medal for bomb hero

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.

Sergeant Major Gary O'Donnell, 40, of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, has been awarded a second George Medal for "repeated and sustained acts of immense bravery", the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

News that Sgt Maj O'Donnell had been awarded a posthumous Bar - a second medal - to the George Medal he won for his work in Iraq in 2006 emerged as MoD officials announced that dozens of servicemen had been given gallantry awards in recognition of their efforts while fighting in Afghanistan last year.

Lieutenant General Sir Graeme Lamb, commander of the British field army, said: "Gary O'Donnell - George Medal and Bar. Bigger than life. Brave as a lion. Look no further for your 21st Century role models. These are our real heroes... They are truly the right stuff."

Sgt Maj O'Donnell's wife, Toni, 40, said: "You cannot describe the feelings I have. I am so proud of him. He was a larger-than-life character. He just got on with it. He loved his job. He did what had to be done... He would be chuffed about this."

Sgt Major O'Donnell left four children - Cayleigh, 16, Dylan, 14, Aidan, eight, and Ben, eight months. Ben was born nine weeks before Sgt Maj O'Donnell was killed.

Mrs O' Donnell said: "He saw Ben. He got home for 10 days. It was a precious time.

"I'll tell the children about him. He was a brave man. A big man. It was wonderful to hear what Gen Lamb said about him. That was just how he was."

Sgt Major O'Donnell, who was born in Edinburgh, was trying to clear a path for soldiers when he died.

He began his army career in 1992 and was a member of the Royal Logistics Corps serving in Sierra Leone, Iraq, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan, the MoD said.