A HERO TELFORD soldier who took control after his commanding officer was injured in a firefight in Afghanistan has been honoured for his bravery.

Sergeant Stuart Laurie was second in command of an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team which came under fire during a joint operation with a battalion of Afghan National Army soldiers in 2009. Six soldiers, including both commanders, were injured.

Sgt Laurie, 30, from Donnington, was described by his commanding officer as a “rock of calm courage” after taking control of treatment of his wounded comrades and arranging their evacuation from the field.

Married father-of-three Sgt Laurie, who serves with Two Mercian Regiment, was commended for his actions by his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Banton.

Lt Col Banton’s citation read: “With both the ANA company commander and his OMLT commander injured, Sgt Laurie’s composure and control of both the OMLT and ANA forces ensured the swift evacuation of a large number of casualties against a highly volatile backdrop.

“Despite being only a Sergeant, he took command in the most arduous circumstances and safely and effectively synchronised the force’s evacuation.

“His personal example held the ANA at their posts and prevented a withdrawal becoming a rout.

“Sgt Laurie’s actions were in the finest tradition of British Army non-commissioned officers and he was a rock of calm courage when all around was chaos.”

Brigadier Mark Banham, commanding officer for 143 West Midlands Brigade, based at Copthorne Barracks in Shrewsbury, added: “The level of leadership and courage demonstrated by this young sergeant typifies the professionalism and dedication that is achieving success in some of the most challenging roles in Afghanistan.”

Sgt Laurie has been married to wife Karis for nine years and they have three children — Ellie, eight, Cameron, six, and Harvey-Kian, two.

The drama happened on August 6, 2009, when Sgt Laurie was on duty with a battalion of ANA soldiers and a British company.

By Simon Hardy