Bryan Budd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bryan Budd
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| Born | 16 July 1977 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 20 August 2006 (aged 29) Sangin, Afghanistan |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Years of service | 1995–2006 † |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Service number | 25048092 |
| Unit | Parachute Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War
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| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Bryan James Budd, VC was a brave soldier in the British Army. He was born on July 16, 1977, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Sadly, he passed away on August 20, 2006, while serving in Afghanistan.
Corporal Budd received the Victoria Cross. This is the highest award for bravery a soldier can get in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. It is given for amazing courage when facing the enemy. He was a corporal in the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment. He died from injuries during a firefight with Taliban forces. This happened in Sangin, Helmand Province.
Bryan Budd was the 20th UK soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2001. On December 14, 2006, the Ministry of Defence announced his Victoria Cross award. It was only the 13th time this medal had been given since the end of the Second World War.
Life as a Soldier
Bryan Budd served in the British Army for ten years. He was part of the Pathfinder Platoon. This special group goes deep behind enemy lines to gather information. He served in many places, including the former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
In 2002, Corporal Budd did very well in his commander's training course. He was going to be promoted to platoon sergeant. He was also an expert in combat survival, rock climbing, and parachuting. In 2004, he worked at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate. There, he helped train young soldiers.
In June 2006, Corporal Budd joined A Company, 3 PARA. This was part of a large British force sent to Afghanistan. His company was based in Sangin, a town in southern Afghanistan.
Corporal Budd was due to return home on August 25, 2006. However, he was killed on August 20. He was defending his team during a heavy Taliban attack outside Sangin. His actions allowed his team to get back to safety. His body was found an hour later.
Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Tootal was his commanding officer. He said Bryan was "an outstanding leader." He also said Bryan's professional manner "inspired confidence." Tootal added that Bryan "died doing the job he loved." He was "leading his men from the front."
On December 14, 2006, the Victoria Cross award was confirmed. It was the first time this medal was given after a soldier's death since the Falklands War in 1982. Bryan's wife, Lorena, received the medal on March 7, 2007.
A new training center at Colchester Garrison was named after him. It is called the Corporal Budd VC Gymnasium. It opened on July 4, 2008.
His Final Act of Bravery
On August 20, 2006, Corporal Budd's team was in Sangin, Afghanistan. They were ordered to hold a small outpost. This was to protect engineers working nearby. The outpost was often attacked by the Taliban.
On that day, three teams were on patrol. There were 24 soldiers in total. They were spread out in a tall cornfield. Corporal Budd saw four Taliban fighters approaching. They were about 50 meters away. He used hand signals to lead his team around the cornfield. They tried to surprise the enemy.
But the Taliban spotted them and started shooting. More Taliban fighters also opened fire from a wall. The British soldiers faced heavy gunfire. They tried to find cover. Some soldiers were injured.
Corporal Budd realized his team was in great danger. He knew they might be killed. So, he bravely stood up and ran straight through the cornfield. He moved towards the Taliban, who were only 20 meters away. He fired his rifle at them. The Taliban's shooting immediately lessened. This allowed the rest of his team to pull back to safety. The injured soldiers could then be helped.
After his team pulled back, Corporal Budd was reported missing. Most of his company went back to find him. Air support from Apache helicopters and Harrier jets was called in. They helped push the Taliban back. An hour later, Corporal Budd was found. He was next to three dead Taliban fighters.
Corporal Andy Waddington's team found Corporal Budd. He was badly wounded and had no pulse. Corporal Budd was declared dead when he arrived at the outpost.
Corporal Budd's Victoria Cross is now on display. You can see it at the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Museum. This museum is located at the Imperial War Museum Duxford in Cambridgeshire, England.
Family Life
Bryan Budd was married to Lorena Budd. She worked in the Royal Artillery. They had two daughters. Isabelle was born in 2004. Imogen was born a month after Bryan died in Afghanistan. He also had a brother and a sister.
Awards and Recognition
Corporal Budd received several military awards for his service. These include:
General Service Medal
NATO Medal – Kosovo
NATO Medal – Macedonia
OSM "Sierra Leone"
OSM "Afghanistan"
Iraq Medal
Golden Jubilee Medal
His official Victoria Cross award description explains his incredible bravery:
In July and August 2006, Corporal Bryan Budd's company was in Sangin, Afghanistan. They were constantly attacked by the Taliban.
On July 27, 2006, during a patrol, Corporal Budd's team found two enemy gunmen. They were on a building roof. During the intense fight, two of his team members were hit. One was seriously injured and lay in the open. He was still exposed to enemy fire. Corporal Budd knew he had to act. He needed to push the enemy back so the injured soldier could be moved.
Under fire, he personally led an attack on the building. This was where the enemy fire was strongest. He forced the remaining fighters to run across an open field. There, they were successfully engaged. This brave and quick action helped turn the tide. Corporal Budd took a great personal risk. His strong leadership and clear bravery allowed his wounded friend to be moved to safety. This saved his life.
A month later, on August 20, 2006, Corporal Budd was leading his team. They were on a patrol near Sangin. His team saw enemy fighters 30 meters ahead. Corporal Budd tried to surprise them. But the enemy saw another vehicle. The element of surprise was lost for the whole group.
To regain control, Corporal Budd decided to attack the enemy. He ordered his men to follow. As they moved forward, his team came under heavy fire. Three of his men were hurt. The constant enemy fire forced his team to take cover. But Corporal Budd kept attacking on his own. He knew the danger. He was wounded but kept moving forward. He attacked and killed the enemy as he rushed their position.
Corporal Budd's example inspired the rest of his group. They reorganized and pushed forward their attack. They eliminated more of the enemy. This eventually forced the Taliban to retreat. Corporal Budd later died from his wounds. When his body was found, it was surrounded by three dead Taliban fighters.
Corporal Budd's amazing bravery in these two fights saved many of his friends' lives. He acted knowing that his men were either hit or had to take cover. His decision to attack alone against a stronger enemy, even while wounded, shows incredible leadership and supreme courage. For this, Corporal Budd was awarded the Victoria Cross.
See also
- British Forces casualties in Afghanistan since 2001
