Army hero wins bravery award

A soldier who saved his comrades from the Taliban has been given an award for his bravery.

L-Cpl Levi Webb (21) had been in Helmand province just days when the Viking armoured vehicle in front of him hit a roadside bomb.

Its two crew members were badly hurt and “Webby” was left alone as his comrades went to help the injured men and were left pinned down by enemy fire inches above their heads.

In full view of the enemy, L-Cpl Webb stood up and fired shots, putting the Talibans’ heads down long enough to allow his patrol to get to the injured men.

He said: “I could see rounds ricocheting around the casualties and thought ‘I need to do something.’

“So I jumped out of the wagon and started shooting. It was just instinct.

“It would have been cowardly to just sit there and watch.

“Any soldier would have done the same thing if they were there.”

To recognise his bravery, L-Cpl Webb—of the Royal Dragoon Guards, Yorkshire’s Cavalry Regiment—was presented with a Task Force Commanders’ Commendation.

His commanding officer, Lt-Col Jamie Piggott, said: “L-Cpl Webb showed extreme valour in the face of the enemy and put his life on the line for those of his friends.

“He epitomises what it means to be a Royal Dragoon Guard and we are enormously proud of him.”

At the time of the incident last June, L-Cpl Webb, of Conisbrough, was driving an armoured vehicle in a mission to push the Taliban out of a village stronghold.

He had just taken over driving the Viking as a replacement for its normal driver, who was injured.

His Squadron Leader, Maj Yann Searle, added: “L-Cpl Webb is a credit to the squadron and to the regiment.”