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Wednesday 19 November 2014

Unique Opportunity to Meet Johnson Beharry VC

Milford on Sea is privileged to have the unique opportunity for people to meet and hear Johnson Beharry VC.

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Lance Sergeant Johnson Beharry VC, is the first living recipient of the Victoria Cross in more than 30 years, and he will be talking about his inspirational life experiences and how he faced enormous & unimaginable challenges.

Johnson is an engaging, charismatic and inspirational speaker with a story to enthral. He captivates an audience with his engaging style and humorous anecdotes.

If you would like to hear his incredible story, and to meet Johnson Beharry VC wearing his full military dress uniform and Victoria Cross medal, then details about how to buy tickets are at the foot of this page.


More about Johnson Beharry VC

Johnson was born in Grenada, moving to the UK in 1999. His early life had been full of challenges and he initially took the wrong path before deciding he wanted to make something of his life. Joining the army proved a challenge in itself, but his determination won through.

In August 2001 he joined the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. After training at Catterick, he became a driver of Warrior armoured vehicles in C Company, 1st Battalion. Prior to Iraq, he served for six months in Kosovo and three months in Northern Ireland.

He then went to Iraq. On 1 May 2004, Beharry helped assist a foot patrol caught in a series of ambushes. On 1 May 2004, he was driving a Warrior Tracked Armoured Vehicle that was hit by multiple rocket propelled grenades. The platoon commander, the vehicle’s gunner and a number of other soldiers in the vehicle were injured. Beharry was forced to open his hatch to steer his vehicle, exposing his face and head to withering small arms fire. Beharry drove the crippled Warrior through the ambush, taking his own crew and leading five other Warriors to safety. He then extracted his wounded comrades from the vehicle, all the time exposed to further enemy fire. He was cited on this occasion for 'valour of the highest order'.

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While back on duty on 11 June 2004, a rocket propelled grenade hit Beharry's vehicle incapacitating his commander and injuring several of the crew. Despite his very serious head injuries, Beharry took control of his vehicle and drove it out of the ambush area before losing consciousness. He required brain surgery for his head injuries, and he was still recovering when he was awarded the VC in March 2005.

The full citation was published in a supplement to the London Gazette of 18 March 2005 and commented, "Private Beharry carried out two individual acts of great heroism by which he saved the lives of his comrades. Both were in direct face of the enemy, under intense fire, at great personal risk to himself (one leading to him sustaining very serious injuries). Beharry displayed repeated extreme gallantry and unquestioned valour, despite intense direct attacks, personal injury and damage to his vehicle in the face of relentless enemy action."

Johnson competed in the 2011 series Dancing On Ice. Today he supports a number of military charities, has his own JBVC Foundation and he is also a member of the WW1 Victoria Cross Panel. His story is told in his own book entitled: Barefoot Soldier.

Meet & Hear the remarkable Johnson Beharry VC at either of the events below:
  
An Afternoon with Johnson Beharry VC
3pm Start
First Half: Johnson's extraordinary life up to going to war.
Second Half: Johnson's heroic experiences at war and the inspiring story of rebuilding his life.

~~~ AND ~~~

An Evening with Johnson Beharry VC
7pm Start
First Half: Johnson's extraordinary life up to going to war.
Second Half: Johnson's heroic experiences at war and the inspiring story of rebuilding his life.

Tickets are £15 which includes a charitable donation. These are expected to sell out fast, so don't miss this unique opportunity and buy your tickets now. 

All profits from the event will go to The Royal British Legion’s ‘Everyman Remembered’ campaign.

Buy Tickets from: Milford on Sea Community Centre Box Office or online from: www.ticketsource.co.uk/lovemilford | Box Office open from 10am to 4pm on weekdays, and from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays. Tel: 01590 644861.

PS: Struggling for Christmas gift ideas - a ticket or two could make the perfect present for anyone!


Johnson Beharry VC
www.johnsonbeharryvc.com


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