Queen honours soldier
A FORMER pupil of Eastwood high school was this week honoured by The Queen for heroism during deadly explosives disposal work in Afghanistan.
In Edinburgh on Tuesday the monarch personally presented lance corporal David Timmins (19) with the Queen's gallantry medal for exemplary bravery.
The high honour recognises the loyalty and courage of the 19-year-old as he instantly went to the aid of a fellow soldier, wounded by an improvised explosive device.
Ignoring obvious risks, the teenage member of a high-threat IED disposal team advanced to the casualty, clearing a safe route for others to follow while offering reassurances to his team leader then reporting back to their commander.
Directing two others to start first aid, the soldier known to mates as Davie secured a wide safe area for them to work in, before taking over successful life-saving treatment himself.
L/cpl Timmins, who has a two-year-old son, Rhys, later said: "I didn't feel I'd done anything that really stood out. You just act and the training kicks in.
"My job was to be the ears and eyes for the ammo technicians so they can focus – like close protection – but we have the training too so if you need to you can just get on and do it yourself".
L/cpl Timmins continued to serve at the front of kinetic activity in Afghanistan until he himself was injured in an IED explosion.
Now based with his wife and son in Edinburgh, he was previously highly commended earlier in his Afghan tour by hospital staff for ensuring the survival of two Afghan National Army warriors, seriously injured in Nad-e-Ali.
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Weather for Glasgow
Thursday 24 May 2012
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Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
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