The widow of a Black Watch soldier killed saving two soldiers and a mother and her two children in Afghanistan spoke of her pride as he was honoured for his courage.

Sergeant Sean Binnie, 22, was given the posthumous award of a Mention in Dispatches (MiD) - one of the military's oldest forms of recognition for gallantry.

At a presentation ceremony at the Black Watch base of Fort George, in Ardersier on the outskirts of Inverness, his widow Amanda, 23, said: "He died a hero and I am so proud of him. It is devastating in a way because I wish he was here to pick up the award himself. I am delighted and honoured to be collecting it on his behalf.

"He died saving five people, including children. I am over the moon for him, but he would be embarrassed at getting such recognition.

Sgt Binnie's mother, Jan, 43, was also at the ceremony and she said afterwards: "It is brilliant. The Army was his life."

The Aberdeen sergeant was one of 20 Black Watch soldiers to collect awards on Friday. He was part of a 10-man operation on a fighting patrol to the north of Musa Qaleh on May 7 last year.

Major Matt Munro, who made the presentation, said: "He died whilst storming an enemy position in order to save the lives of two of his Afghan comrades who were pinned down by enemy fire. Binnie's actions also resulted in saving the lives of a mother and her two young children who were also caught up in the fire fight.

"His posthumous mention in dispatches for his unflinching bravery in the face of a ruthless and determined enemy is a fitting tribute to an immensely brave soldier."

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Sgt Binnie's citation reads: "His actions not only destroyed the enemy posing the immediate threat, but also broke the cohesion and will to fight of the remaining enemy in the vicinity.
"He went to the aid of trapped colleagues with no thought for his own safety, saving them from death or serious injury, and giving his own life in the process."

His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, who was made an OBE, said: "I hope Sean Binnie's family can derive some consolation from the fact that he died a hero, leading from the front. This is a great honour for the Battalion and for the Regiment and is in the finest traditions of our forebears. Our thoughts are with Sean's family."

Of his own award, Lt Col Cartwright, from Inverness, said: "I am obviously thrilled. But it is a collective award for the whole Battalion. I have been fortunate to have led such a great Battalion. It is a great honour."

The 41-year-old Commanding Officer led his soldiers in 13 dangerous Battle Group operations over six months, leading his men from the front in eight of the campaigns.

Based at Kandahar Airfield, the group conducted the largest number of aviation assaults in Southern Afghanistan by conventional UK forces. Of particular note were three audacious aviation assaults behind enemy defences during the initial clearance of Babaji as part of Operation Panther's Claw.

Major Munro said: "Throughout, he has planned and conducted his operations with great measure thereby, crucially, limiting the extent of collateral damage."

Four military crosses were awarded to the Black Watch soldiers including Corporal Craig Sharp, the lead section commander responsible for providing flank protection for the improvised explosive device disposal team.

Major Munro said: "As Sharp's team began climbing over compound walls into the main street of the village, the enemy opened fire with machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.

"The nature of the terrain was such that the rest of the Brigade were unable to provide much fire support, which resulted in Sharp having to lead his section through what became a desperate 12-hour struggle for the village. He called for a mortar mission less than 80 metres from his position, successfully destroying several of the enemy."

Cpl Sharp, 24, from Kilmarnock, said after the ceremony: "I am honoured to have led such a brave section of guys. I am ecstatic at the award. The guys under me were excellent in the heat of the battle. There was eight of us involved and it was a scary situation."

His citation reads: "Sharp was incredible. He displayed such tenacity and aggression that the enemy actually reported being frightened over their radios. He would not let them breath, advancing forwards constantly, at one stage exchanging fire with a rocket propelled grenade man from a distance of only seven metres"

The military cross also went to Lt Alexander Phillips, Cpl Richard Clark, and Cpl Christopher Reynolds.