Shropshire soldier to receive Military Cross
Friday 24th September 2010, 11:31AM BST.
An heroic soldier from Shropshire who lost both his legs, an eye and fingers from both hands in a bomb blast in Afghanistan is to receive the Military Cross for his bravery.
Corporal Ricky Furgusson went to the aid of wounded soldiers injured by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) four times before he was caught in a blast and badly injured.
The 25-year-old, who serves with the 4th Battalion The Rifles (4 Rifles), was on his first patrol in Sangin District in October last year when his squad was hit by a huge IED.
He assisted in the evacuation of a fellow comrade – saving the soldier’s life.
A month later Corporal Furgusson, from Stirchley, Telford, went to the aid of two colleagues wounded by an IED.
On the same day his own patrol was also hit by an IED. The treatment he gave on the battlefield saved a soldier’s life.
But on January 13, the former Lord Silkin School pupil was struck himself by an IED and was seriously injured.
Today the soldier said he was shocked when he received a phone call with the news he is to receive the Military Cross.
The medal is awarded in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land.
The Military Cross is a level three medal, just two levels behind the Victoria Cross.
He said: “I’m very pleased. I had a slight inkling I might get an award but an MC was totally out of the window and I wasn’t expecting that at all. I don’t think it has quite sunk in at all and it won’t until I walk into Buckingham Palace.
“I am proud. Even if I didn’t get the Military Cross I am still proud of the way I treated the blokes and saving their lives.”
Cpl Furgusson, who is currently on stilts, said he was determined to walk again.
By Jason Lavan
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My God, if ever there was a true hero Ricky is it. My son ( the same age), knows of Ricky and told me what had happened and we were all praying for him, and to see him know what an inspiration. My sons are both serving in the Army and have been to Afghan and as a mum I can only imagine the heartache his family have been through. And now the joy of seeing him getting on with his life! Go Ricky!!
God bless you mate x
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Stories like this make me feel totally inadequate. Congratulations Ricky and my best wishes for your future.
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Congratulations Rick! You truly are an inspiration!! Amazing!
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Deserves it, and deserve more money and better treatment by the British government .
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What a true hero! God bless you x
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A real hero. Your family must be so proud of you. Congratulations! x
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Rick, you’re a true hero, I wish you well!
xxxxx
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A true hero. All the best :-) xxx
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Rick, What a hero,What a man, What a soldier. God Bless you mate.
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Well done Rick we all owe you,you are such a brave man,a rare thing today,so few lead by example.Please carry on and serve we all need brave people like you thankyou.
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I would just like to express my extreme pride in rickys award,i myself am ex navy and was out in bastion as a civvy from nov 09 until june 10 and have unquivering respect for your sacrifice for country and freedom as a whole, if there were more people like yourself the world would a better place no doubt,enough respect and love to you and your family god bless!
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There are very few true Heroes in the world we live in, but you can hold your head up high because you are definatly in them few. Be proud, you deserve it. All my best wishes.
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Congratulations Ricky, if anyone deserves a medal hon it’s you.
Well Done xx
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Congratulations on your extraordinary bravery and all the very best for the future.
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A true Shropshire hero.
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Glad to see the Shropshire Star has spelt this brave lads name correctly unlike many of the national rags.
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A true British hero, good luck for the future.
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Congratulations Ricky … You must be so proud. Another true Shropshire Hero. All the best for the future
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well done ricky you truely deserve this award all the best for the future m8 and god blessxxxx
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Best of luck for the future Ricky.The family and I wish you well.
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Ricky.
there are no words to express my feelings towords your Bravery,It makes me very proud to have been born in Shropshire. and served with the local KSLI.You deseve every thing that comes your way ,and I hope that there will be lots of it . Just want to wish you good luck in your futer.
All the Luck in the world will never make up for your sacrifice, “GOD BLESS YOU”
From Canada
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