YOUR CHAMPIONS: Moreton soldier nominated for saving lives in Afghanistan

Sep 21 2011 by Linda Foo Guest, Birkenhead News

A WIRRAL soldier has been nominated for a Your Champions award for saving his platoon from the Taliban.

Wirral News has teamed up with ScottishPower to highlight the good work of an individual or group which has benefited the community.

Lance Corporal Alan Redford, 35, of Moreton, was awarded the Military Cross from the Queen for his gallantry.

His brother-in-law, Ian Brennan, who nominated him for the person category, says he saved many lives through his bravery.

Ian told the News: “His section were going in to an ambush, so his whole platoon would have been killed if it wasn’t for him. No-one has recognised this and that a lot of lives would have been lost if he hadn’t have acted.

“He was awarded the Military Cross for bravery but no-one has mentioned the lives he actually saved in Afghanistan.

“Alan also did a lot of work to help the local people there, and handed out his food rations to youngsters because they were starving and had nothing.

“He would help people in distress who had lost relatives, his sections would help and get them home safely. He would come up with ideas to help people – such as if there were bombings and civilians were involved, he would try and get them out and in to a safe zone.

“There are lots and lots of things he has done there, and he also served in Iraq and Northern Ireland.

“I think he is a winner for going forward alone over and above bravery.

“He saved his whole platoon and brought them forward to fight off the Taliban. I think he is heroic for what he had done.”

YOUR CHAMPIONS INFORMATION: There are five categories – person of the year, volunteer, young person, team and sporting. The deadline to send your nominations is October 14. The winning champions will be honoured at a presentation ceremony at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Chester on Friday, November 18, where they will also be in the running for a regional Champion of Champions award. To nominate, log on to www.wirralnews.co.uk or send this form to Your Champions, Wirral News, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L69 3EB.