AN ARMY captain whose bravery in the Iraq war was revealed by the Manchester Evening News has been honoured by Prince Charles.

Capt Grant Ingleton, 43, took off his combat helmet and pulled on his distinctive maroon beret.

Then he encouraged his men to attack enemy positions, despite the lethal danger from incoming artillery rounds.

He hammered home to his soldiers that they were fighting for their lives - and he urged the men to keep firing the guns in their artillery battery.

His regiment was providing cover for Paras who were forced to withdraw after being attacked by Iraqi forces.

As it did so, 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery also came under fire.

For the next four hours, the gunners fought a pitched battle, exchanging artillery fire with Saddam Hussein's forces until they surrendered.

Capt Ingleton was one of 20 soldiers to receive the Military Cross in honour of their bravery in Iraq at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

The coveted Military Cross was established During the First World War in 1915 and is awarded for gallant and distinguished services in action.

Encouraging

The citation for the award said: "Capt Ingleton removed his helmet and donned his maroon beret as a symbol of defiance and with complete disregard for his own safety, walked tall round the gun position, in full sight of his soldiers, verbally and physically encouraging his men.

"Despite the danger from further incoming rounds he maintained an infectious sense of humour throughout and this, along with his selfless leadership, ensured the battery maintained its rate of fire, allowing 1 Para to withdraw safely."

Capt Ingleton, from Aldershot, said: "It was a great honour to receive the Military Cross but my men also deserve credit for their bravery on that night and during the war."

M.E.N. reporter Martin Dillon was one of the journalists who was attached to the 7 Para RHA and witnessed at first hand the drama of the evening of March 22 last year.

Dillon said today: "This was our first artillery exchange of the war in Iraq and it was a frightening few hours.

"We were within range of the Iraqi artillery - and without the bravery of Capt Ingleton and the gunners we could easily have suffered casualties."

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