Soldier is Presented with Military Cross

Patrick Hyde, also known as the 'Bomb Magnet' has been             Awarded the Military Cross by Prince Charles

Patrick Hyde after the explosion, being presented with the award by Prince Charles and with the Military Cross

I discovered this truly inspirational story in the Daily Express on Saturday 12th July 2014.

Warrant Officer Class 1 Patrick Hyde, 38, from Cheltenham, was presented with the Military Cross by Prince Charles , after an Afghan soldier stepped on an improvised explosive device. He won the award last August after the "horrific" blast. Patrick Hyde entered the compound to rescue the soldier due to fear that it was a bomb trap. His citation said: "As he entered a compound, a huge explosion engulfed him. Wounded by shrapnel and in shock ... he seized the initiative to enforce an evacuation of the injured, the General and his men from the compound." He has been blown up 17 times, earning him the tag 'Bomb Magnet'.  After receiving his award, he said "There's no lucky charm ... I'm just fortunate enough to be alive."