Last week saw the unveiling of a new memorial in London honouring the service and duty of those who fought in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
More than 800 UK military personnel and civilians died in three wars between 1990 and 2015.
Her Majesty the Queen dedicated the memorial, which also recognises the contribution made by civilians in the conflicts, last Thursday.
Among those present at the ceremony was SSgt Donald Campbell CGC from Iochdar, South Uist, and his wife Amy of Griminish, Benbecula.
A member of 39 Engineer Regiment, SSgt Campbell was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) in March 2008 for his bravery in Afghanistan. Second only to the Victoria Cross, the CGC is a second level military decoration of the British Armed Forces.
SSgt Campbell was awarded his CGC for driving an unarmoured and unprotected piece of plant into an enemy killing zone and was ‘under very intense, accurate fire for a considerable amount of time’. The then 26 year old moved his front loader vehicle towards the enemy offering a huge and vulnerable target, then, when in position, climbed out of his cab to release the fascine (large bunch of pipes) into the ditch in front of him which allowed the following armoured vehicles to cross. He refused to seek cover even when bullets, rocket propelled grenades and mortar fire shattered the windows of his cab badly damaging his vehicle, missing him by inches.
Donald grew up in Iochdar, South Uist, while his wife Amy is from Griminish, Benbecula. Pictured at the memorial unveiling last week, the couple live with their two young children in Forres, but maintain very strong links with the islands.
