Johnson Beharry VC

Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry was born on the Caribbean island of Grenada in 1980. He was born into a large family and grew up in the small village of Diego Piece in the north-west corner of the island. He attended the local Samaritan Presbytarian School, leaving at the age of 16. He went to work, first as an apprentice motor mechanic then as a painter and decorator.

He left the island at the age of 19 to come to the UK. After attending college briefly in London, he returned for a while to painting and decorating before joining the British Army.

He received his Victoria Cross for two acts of extraordinary heroism while serving with the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment in Al-Amarah, Iraq, in May and June 2004.

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Early Life

Like most boys growing up in Grenada, Johnson enjoyed playing football and cricket while at school. In order to help his family make ends meet, he also worked in local plantations. There he picked nutmeg – Grenada’s most famous export produce – after school and during the holidays.

Life in Grenada was tough, but supported by various members of his extended family, in particular his beloved grandmother, Johnson grew up to be a resourceful, fiercely independent individual. He retains fond memories of his island birthplace and visits it frequently. He received a hero's welcome there in 2005 when he returned for the first time after receiving the VC. He has been appointed the island’s Ambassador-at-Large.

Awarded the VC

Johnson was 20 when he joined the British Army. He served in Kosovo and Northern Ireland before being deployed in 2004 to Al-Amarah on peacekeeping duties. Trouble flared soon after the arrival of his battalion. On 1 May his patrol of 'Warrior' armoured fighting vehicles was attacked as it made its way into the centre of the town.

Johnson was the driver of the patrol commander’s vehicle.  He was positioned at the head of the column of vehicles when his   Warrior, Whiskey Two Zero, got struck by multiple rocket-propelled grenades.

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The initial explosions seriously injured his commander, the gunner and the dismounts in the back of the vehicle. Taking the initiative, Johnson negotiated barriers and improvised explosive devices.  He also survived further RPG explosions and a bullet to the head to lead his patrol out of ambush.

On the other side of town, close to a British Army enclave known as CIMIC House, he pulled his commander from the burning turret of Whiskey Two Zero whilst still under heavy small arms fire. He then led the other members of the crew to safety. After disabling the vehicle to prevent it falling into enemy hands, he collapsed with exhaustion.

Six weeks later, despite receiving horrific injuries from an RPG blast six inches from his head, Johnson drove his vehicle out of ambush and again saved his crew. It was for these two actions that he received the Victoria Cross.  He is the first living recipient of Britain’s highest award for gallantry for 40 years.

Johnson Beharry VC wears the medal with pride. “For me,” he says, “the medal represents the lives that I saved. When I wear it, I always think of them.”

Written by Nick Cook co-author Barefoot Soldier

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