Royal Marines awarded medals

By Caroline Wyatt BBC Defence Correspondent

Marines Mark Ormrod (left) and Ben McBean were awarded medals

It was a moment that brought tears to the eyes of many of the families and friends watching.

The Royal Marine dubbed "Prince Harry's hero", double amputee Ben McBean, 21, and his comrade, triple amputee Marine Mark Ormrod, 24, stood proudly on their new prosthetic legs to receive their Afghanistan campaign medals shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues from 40 Commando.

The thousands of onlookers cheered loudly as both men walked onto the parade ground to be given their medals at the ceremony at Norton Manor Camp in Taunton, Somerset, just months after they were seriously injured in landmine blasts in Afghanistan.

Marine McBean was flown back to Britain on the same flight as Prince Harry.

He said they had stayed in touch via e-mail, with Harry sending him a good luck message for Wednesday's ceremony.

"I still can't believe he said I was a hero - everyone here today, all my comrades here are the real heroes, for being out there, getting us out of Afghanistan alive and safely home," he said, sitting down next to Marine Ormrod after the ceremony.

"This isn't just about me - the lads here getting their medals today are all heroes.

"But this meant the world to me. It has been the proudest day of my life, being able to come here, stand up and walk to get it.

"But all the Marines are positive people - we believe in getting back up on your feet and just cracking on."

'Proud moment'

Marine Ormrod, who was recently filmed at Headley Court rehabilitation centre chatting to Princes William and Harry, said that getting back on his feet to come to the ceremony had been a goal that spurred him on through his rehabilitation.

The 6ft marine, who lost both legs and his right arm in a blast on Christmas Eve in Helmand Province, now walks using his new bionic legs, "C legs" which are computer-controlled, after just three months of getting used to them.

I did miss my wife, family and home - it's a relief to come home safely Marine Peter Redmond

"It's been a very emotional and proud day for me," he said.

"Today was awesome. It was one of the biggest targets I had set myself, and to be walking for this has been such an achievement. I really had to work hard.

"To get up, walk and stand there for the time we did - and then get back - was a very proud moment. The worst thing was when the wind picked up, as it blows you off balance and it takes a lot of concentration to keep standing up."

His whole family had travelled to Taunton in a five-car convoy from Plymouth to watch the ceremony.

His grandfather Fred Ormrod had "a bit of a cry" as he watched his grandson on parade.

Marine Ormrod's next challenge will be to walk unaided at his wedding to girlfriend Becky Hayes, who was also there to watch him.

At the ceremony, the Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Adrian Johns CBE, paid tribute to all the men of 40 Commando.

"Today is really important to get you back together again, to share your stories of success. But that success is not easy, and there is a price to pay. Three men paid the highest price," he said.

The observation was a reference to the Royal Marines who died, and the 25 who were injured, during the Marines' gruelling six month tour.

Many of the men on parade said they were thinking of the three Marines - Corporal Damian Mulvihill, Marine David Marsh and Lieutenant John Thornton - who were killed in action weeks before their tour was scheduled to end.

Some of their families also attended the ceremony, some overcome with emotion as they looked on.

'Personal hero'

Vice Admiral Johns said the common dangers the men had shared had brought them together, while their professionalism and dedication were "hugely important', and would continue to "shine brightly".

Today is really important to get you back together again, to share your stories of success - but that success is not easy, and there is a price to pay Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Adrian Johns CBE

He also mentioned Marine Joe Townsend, who is still recovering in Selly Oak and will receive his medal there, as well as Captain Sim Jemmet, who was blinded in an explosion but had recovered enough of his vision to return to work.

The vice admiral also praised the 82 Royal Marine reservists now heading back to civilian life after their tour of duty.

Marines from 40 Commando took on responsibility for Battle Group North in Helmand Province from last September until this April, where they operated from spartan forward operating bases in the Gereshk and Sangin valleys, often taking part in fierce gun battles with the Taliban, and playing a key role in the recapture of the town of Musa Qala.

The pride of the families gathered in the bright sunshine to celebrate the mens' achievements in Afghanistan was clear.

Marine Peter Redmond, 23, a medic, came to the ceremony with his wife Laura, 18, and three-day-old baby daughter.

"The best bit when I came back from Afghanistan was seeing my wife's face when I got to the airport, and the hug I got," he smiles.

"I did miss my wife, family and home. It's a relief to come home safely."

He missed most of his wife's pregnancy, although he says he is now making up for it on frequent nappy changing duties.

"Being apart for six months it wasn't the easiest thing," admits Laura Redmond.

"But you just have to get on with it. There wasn't a day where I didn't worry about him in Afghanistan, though."

Becoming 'a man'

However, re-adjusting to life back in England can take time. Marine Will Charters, 19, who was photographed in Sangin rushing an Afghan child injured by a Taleban rocket for medical treatment, said his time in Afghanistan had changed him.

"You go to Afghanistan as one person, but you come back another. It makes a man of you.

Being apart "never gets easier", even after 20 years of marriage

Reverend Stuart Hallam, the Marine chaplain for 40 Commando, has spent time since his return visiting the families of the dead and injured Marines.

"That puts things into perspective in a major way."

His wife Laura says she is delighted to have him back home safely.

"Slowly and surely we're getting re-acquainted with each other, telling each other our stories of what happened while we were apart."

Royal Marine Neil Warrington, 45, his wife Tracy, 39, and their daughter Emily, were also grateful to be back together as a family, as they enjoyed the barbecue put on for families after the parade.

The two have been married for almost 20 years, but say that being apart while he is on operations "never gets easier."

And 2nd Lieutenant Tom Williams, 26, whose girlfriend Suzanne Leggett watched him receive his medal, admitted there had been "some hairy moments" for the men in Afghanistan, but said that they had "slotted back in" to life back at home.

She said his first treats upon returning home had been steak and chips and a comfortable bed.

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