Corporal Andrew Wardle, 22, of the Yorkshire Regiment, who risked his life to give first aid to a wounded Afghan child during a fire-fight is to receive the Military Cross for his courage against the Taliban.

Andrew dashed across 50 yards of open ground to rescue the ten year-old child who had a severe gun-shot wound to the back. He was lying in the open ground in full view of the enemy positions. Acting on impulse, raced across, picked up the child, and returned to safety to give first aid.

Speaking about the incident, Andrew said: “At first I didn’t realise it was happening. Then I just saw the child out of the corner of my eye. The Taliban had started firing towards it.

“Then I didn’t really think twice, because it was a child. So, I ran out and then ran back. It all happens so fast –you get a bit of tunnel vision – you just go for it.

“I’m glad I was there, really, to get him out.”

This was not the only incident that required Andrew’s first aid skills. During his six month tour he treated five seriously injured casualties, and personally found 17 IEDs during his time mentoring the Afghan National Army.

On discovering IEDs, Andrew said: “In one way you’re glad that you’ve found it, although, you can be wary because you get a reading, then you think, what would have happened if I’d carried on walking.”

During his six-month tour, based north of Musa Qala in Helmand province, Andrew mentored soldiers from the Afghan National Army on daily patrols, where they would regularly encounter insurgent aggression.

Despite the regular contacts with the Taliban, Andrew’s group always enjoyed positive morale and would spend their down-time watching TV or cooking. Andrew even cooked Christmas dinner for his patrol base comrades, putting his cooking skills to the test.

The medal citation reads, “Acting Corporal Wardle fought the enemy for six months with repeated acts of exemplary courage and an indomitable offensive spirit. He inspired the Afghan soldiers in his charge, led numerous attacks onto enemy positions, personally found 17 improvised Explosive Devices [IEDs] and showed selfless courage and compassion to rescue, and care for a wounded Afghan child.”

The Military Cross was instituted in 1914, and recognises gallantry during active operations against the enemy.