Heroic South Oxhey medic honoured for Afghanistan bravery (From Watford Observer)
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Heroic South Oxhey medic honoured for Afghanistan bravery
5:06pm Monday 5th October 2009 in News
A heroic army medic from South Oxhey who witnessed bitter frontline fighting in Afghanistan has been honoured with a Pride of Britain Award.
The annual awards, sponsored by the Daily Mirror newspaper, celebrate the best in British society: courage, self sacrifice honour and integrity.
At just 25-years-of-age Holly Percival demonstrates all these traits and more.
For the last six months the former Bushey Meads pupil has routinely dodged bombs and bullets in Helmand Province, joining members of 2nd Battalion The Rifles on perilous foot patrols from a forward operating base.
This week she accepted the POB award from cricket star Andrew Flintoff and Gary Lineker for outstanding courage on behalf of the Camp Bastion Medical unit.
Holly, speaking from the war-torn country, describes in today’s Mirror how she was once pinned down by enemy fire for more than 24 hours.
She told the paper: “They were firing off rocket-propelled grenades and setting off IEDs (improvised explosive devices). One guy lost a leg and others had blast injuries, gunshot wounds, heat injuries and broken legs and I was having to treat them while being shot at.
“I remember lying on the desert floor and a bullet went past my ear. I thought I was going to die.”
Proud father Ivan spoke to the Watford Observer from the family’s home in Gosforth Lane.
He said: “We are so proud of what she is doing. I am really happy the medics have got the recognition they deserve “Of course we are very worried about her about there. Every letter I receive from her seems to contain more and more details about the danger she is facing out there.
“Four medics from her regiment have already been seriously wounded – one had their legs blown off and another was shot through the chest.
“But I know she has tremendous courage and fortitude – that’s why she was so keen to join the army.
“As soon as she finished college she knew that was what she wanted – to become an Army medic. She is doing what she dreamed of doing and I couldn’t be more proud of her.”
The Pride of Britain Awards will be broadcast on ITV 1 on Wednesday evening.
Comments(2)
the sniper
says...
4:19pm Wed 7 Oct 09
BicesterLee says...
10:22am Wed 7 Oct 09
I feel so proud of all of our armed forces wherever they are around the world but you expect to hear news about the brave men and forget how many brave women are now in the front line also.
After the positive impact of The Choir another fantastic story about a South Oxhey resident and someone the whole estate can be justly very proud off.
It must be very comforting to the soldiers around her knowing that she will be there in their hour of need.
Well done Holly, you're a very special young lady, although like all of our heroes you'll just say you're simply doing your job, but it's much, much more than that.
God bless all of our superb armed forces and a big thank you to Holly and her comrades in arms for the job they're doing and the immense respect and pride that they give to all of us who respect what they're trying to do.
You're all Simply The Best.