Sgt Terry Bryan
Year: 2005
Rank/Regt: Operation TELIC – Basra Consolidation - Iraq. Award of CGC – Sgt Terry Bryan – E Battery RHA. Sgt Terry Bryan was commanding a two Land Rover mobile patrol travelling along a dual carriageway near Basra with the aim of releasing another ambushed mobile patrol when it was also ambushed. Sgt Terry Bryan’s patrol managed to drive out of the initial ambush successfully but then their Land Rovers were immobilised by roadside bombs; as the patrol bailed out, once again, it came under heavy, sustained, small arms fire from a nearby, allegedly ‘friendly’, IDF base. The now dismounted patrol was immediately threatened by a hundred plus strong mob but kept them at bay as a fierce fire-fight developed while the Gunners took up a defensive position in a nearby house. Under Sgt Terry Bryan’s inspired leadership, his nine-man patrol managed to keep threinforced mob out of the house despite a series of fire-bombs and mob assaults. Just as the patrol was running out of ammunition, it was rescued by back-up Warrior APCs. This is thought to be the first award of a CGC to a Gunner.