Bryan Budd died of injuries sustained during a fire fight with Taliban forces in Sangin, Helmand Province, from a bullet probably fired from a NATO weapon.
26 Facts About Bryan Budd
1.
2.
Bryan Budd was the 20th UK serviceman to die in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001.
3.
On 14 December 2006, it was announced by the Ministry of Defence that Bryan Budd would be posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, only the 13th award of the medal since the end of the Second World War.
4.
Bryan Budd had been in the British Army for ten years, serving with the Pathfinder Platoon, which carries out reconnaissance deep behind enemy lines.
5.
In May 2002, Bryan Budd passed his section commander's battle course with distinction, and was due to be promoted to platoon sergeant.
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Bryan Budd was a qualified combat survival instructor, rock climber and free-fall parachutist.
7.
Bryan Budd was posted to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate in 2004, where he trained young soldiers.
8.
In June 2006, Bryan Budd joined A Company, 3 PARA as part of the 3,600-strong British task force.
9.
Bryan Budd's body was recovered an hour later, and he was confirmed dead.
10.
Bryan Budd's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Tootal, described Bryan Budd at the time of his death as "an outstanding leader" who had a professional manner "that inspired confidence in all that worked with him".
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Bryan Budd was proud to call himself a paratrooper and we were proud to stand beside him.
12.
Bryan Budd realised that he needed to regain the initiative and that the enemy needed to be driven back so that the casualty could be evacuated.
13.
Bryan Budd spotted four Taliban approaching, at a distance of 50 metres.
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Bryan Budd opened up on them in fully automatic mode with his rifle, and contact was immediately lost, but the Taliban fire lessened and allowed the rest of his section to withdraw back to safety so the casualties could be treated.
15.
An hour later, Bryan Budd was found beside three dead Taliban.
16.
Corporal Andy Waddington's section of men pushed forward through the cornfield and discovered and extracted Bryan Budd, who was badly wounded and had no pulse.
17.
Bryan Budd was declared dead on arrival at the platoon house.
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Bryan Budd was married to Lorena Bryan Budd, a clerk in 5 Regiment, Royal Artillery at Catterick, North Yorkshire.
19.
Bryan Budd had been awarded a number of military decorations and service medals.
20.
On 27 July 2006, whilst on a routine patrol, Corporal Bryan Budd's section identified and engaged two enemy gunmen on the roof of a building in the centre of Sangin.
21.
Corporal Bryan Budd realised that he needed to regain the initiative and that the enemy needed to be driven back so that the casualty could be evacuated.
22.
Undetected, and in an attempt to surprise and destroy the enemy, Corporal Bryan Budd, initiated a flanking manoeuvre.
23.
But, Corporal Bryan Budd continued to assault on his own, knowing full well the likely consequences of doing so without the close support of his remaining men.
24.
Bryan Budd was wounded but continued to move forward, attacking and killing the enemy as he rushed their position.
25.
Bryan Budd acted in the full knowledge that the rest of his men had either been struck down or had been forced to go to ground.
26.
In recognition of this, Corporal Bryan Budd is awarded the Victoria Cross.