CORPORAL Richard Pask is matter-of-fact about the six-hour firefight with Iraqi insurgents after his tank was blown up.

for the full story of his exploits. The married soldier spent four days in an army hospital, from where he told parents Steve, 49, and Jane, 48, and wife Heather, 20, of his injuries.

He returned to duty just days later.

Corporal Pask, who returned home after seven months of duty at the end of November, will visit Buckingham Palace in May to receive the top military honour from the Queen.

"I was shocked to receive the honour. It's happened to me but there are a lot of other people in my regiment it could have happened to," he said.

"But I'm proud and so are my family. I will where it with pride."

The former Pontnewydd Primary and Croesyceiliog Comprehensive pupil joined the Army 10 years ago at the age of 17 and has served in Bosnia, Kosovo and completed two tours of Iraq.

Lieutenant Colonel James Swift, commanding officer of the regiment said: "What Corporal Pask did was immensely brave. He is the very best example of the heroism of the Royal Welsh."

  • A total of 184 members of the armed forces will receive medals for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Twenty-eight military crosses, the largest number given since the second world war.