Queen gives Irish soldier medal for bravery

[Matt McNamara]

Lance Corporal James White from Co Tipperary who was presented with the Military Cross for bravery by the Queen

A YOUNG Irish soldier who joined the British army has been honoured by Queen Elizabeth for multiple acts of bravery in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal James White (28) from Cappawhite, Co Tipperary, was presented with the Military Cross by the queen for his heroic acts.

A member of the Parachute Regiment, James joined the army in 2005 after leaving his home in Tipperary.

His father Pat White said his son always wanted to be a soldier.

"He tried to join the Irish army, but failed on the medical because he had asthma as a child, but he quickly grew out of that. He worked here for a bit before moving to England and joined the army." Mr White said. During his service, he took part in two seven-month tours of Afghanistan as part of a 'Special Forces Support Group'. He won his award following three incidents on his last tour.

On one occasion, two platoons were pinned down by enemy fire and he ran across 200 metres of open ground to assist his comrades. With automatic gunfire and RPGs firing all around him, James cleared out enemy positions to alleviate the two platoons.

Another time, he took out an insurgent machine gunner and on a third occasion, he helped the evacuation of soldiers -- who were taking casualties -- by attacking a compound.

James was one of 136 members of the British Armed Forces to make the honours list and received his award from the queen last November.

"His girlfriend, Jean O'Brien, is an officer in the Irish army and she was with him with his mother when he got it," Mr White said.

- Barry Duggan

Irish Independent

Well done Lance Corporal White. The Irish Army’s loss was the English Army’s gain.

[kathyo]

Make's you proud to be Irish Well done lance corporal James White
all the best kathyo

[gaul]

Indeed a very brave young man.
However as someone who is very proud to have served as an Irish soldier both at home and many times abroad I take grave exception to a member of the parachute regiment ,which slaughtered unarmed innocent civilians in Ireland,being called "an Irish soldier".
This young man is a mercenary in a foreign army.An Irish soldier is one who dedicates his professional life to protect the Irish state and is proud to wear the uniform of it's national army.
I am of the opinion that the much impoved relations with Britain are welcome and overdue,however lets not forget that we are Irish and not western British.

[kellquinn]

Hi Gaul
I would like to add my little bit to your comment. It is people like yourself, who bury their head in the sand in respect of keeping the old fires burning, what happened then and I have always condoned it, it is now history. I have some great friends in the British Army and would welcome them in my presence at any time. Lance Corporal White, choose the British Army because he was not eligible to join the Irish Army due to previous ill health. Our loss their gain, how many young men had to join foreign Armies due to the fact that they were not accepted in the Irish Army, for various reasons, i.e. recruitment embargos etc, and who have done exceptionally well in their chosen service. I say, fair play to them and to that courageous young man and may he endure a long safe life.
Regards
JKelly

[jim]

Hi Gaul,
don't be so hard on the Irish Media.
What qualifies for 'reporters' in Ireland, be it TV or print know very little about Irish soldiers or soldiering; or tell the difference between an APC and a Tank, an MP from a Bandsman, a Corporal from a Captain, or indeed, in all other military matters - their ass from their elbows. ; D

[Sean Tracey]

Could not agree more with Jim AND kELLYQUINN Irish Armys Loss British Armys gain well done. Sean Tracey.

[gaul]

Hello JKelly,
Thank you for your reply.I was surprised at its tone, and your allusion to the location of my head.
I presume you meant that you do Not condone the crimes carried out by the British army against Irish civilans.
I think I made it very clear that this is a brave young man,and would certainly be addition to any army. I also stated that the improved relations with Britain was a good thing.
Why is it that a certain section of the population see red when they perceive a critism of Britain. Is it the hope of some day being more than second class Brits.
As I have already said, I was proud to be an Irish soldier as was my father and grandfather.
If my son decides to join the French army will he be an Irish soldier ?.

My simple point is the title Irish soldier is a soldier in the Irish army. I believe that to regard that in any other way is to diminish the place of the Irish army,that this view comes from ex army members is to say the least surprising.

[johnnykelly]

Re:Queen gives Irish Soldier medal for Bravery
Hi Gaul
your reference to young White being a mercernary is very much ill concieved and i agree with your sentiments in your views as to atrocities carried out in Ireland by the Crown forces, but during the war of Indenpendence there were atrocities carried out by both sides sometimes families torn apart by their opinions and views, which rankles on to this day, We as professional soldiers wprk hand in hand with members of the Crown forces both home and abroad without bitterness or rancour, and if one of my own were to join up as thousands of young men and women have done so in the last 20 odd years due to being not good enough to join our Defence Forces and modt of them are doing quite well for themselves, do i label them as Mercenary, I dont think so, bye keep well Johnny

[danwhelan438]

hi gaul
Been attacked by the kelly,s wow???
I too have served with the said crown forces in kosovo
and by the way most were irish or of irish decent as joey said
i dont think he was rude, the point he was making its a long long time
since most of us heard that argument of young irish men
serving with the british army.i have a neice who,s boyfriend is a royal marine commando (english lad) one of the nicest chaps you could meet.Ive been to his base in england and been an irish soldier was welcomed with open arms.by his comrades and his officers so i think and its MY opinion!!!!the thoughts of young irish lads not been irish soldiers just because the serve in a diffrent army.is long gone .but i might add you are entitled to your opinion as is everybody on this forum.well done to young white .
cheers dan

[andybrennan]

Edmund, you from my past with the Polaroid camera, me thinks that you done a Michael noonen put the big foot in it, Saying that old friend from the shores of Derby house etc, you are more then entitled to your opinion. on the subject of mercenary or not mercenary.
My point of view and all on the forum entitled to theirs. When de brother whom I love dearly, never admit it to him, after daddy died, worked here in the 26 and when that dried up joined the none mercenary army, the PDF, as we know it both of us being in it.
He was discharged as not suitable from the PDF but then enlisted in the Brits not for mercenary ideals but poverty . in order to give the ma a few bob. Which he did.
To be sure he was not accepted there either, being classed as a Paddy.
When he did get leave which was scarce an envelope dropped from a faceless patriot through our letter box in Clarke Tce warning him to bugger off back to England

What a lonely life he led.
A good lad and man to this day.

Other side of the coin me pal Charlie 004 a forum member he joined the PDF and was also castigated by his brethren in the dark north,
After serving his time in the great army of the South not the Mercenary type on going home as a young man to be told to bugger off to the south if he needed help from the State

Strange that this subject arises on the 40Th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and though the Brits have eventually apologized, us non mercenaries cannot do the same

Listen to Mandela

not having a shot at you or any one else.
De brother is my brother and Charlie is my pal neither are or were mercenaries ,

I have nothing but admiration for both.

Andy

Young Whyte you are good.

[afcmoore]

Hi Gaul.
Do you think that all the Irishmen and Women who left Ireland to make a living in other parts of the world are second class not quite up to the mark.
Many Irishmen fought and died in the World wars in British uniform and they deserve our respect or maybe we would have been better off under Hitler ?
We all know what happen in Ireland in the not too distant past but i hope that we can all find it in our hearts lay it to rest and go forward to a peaceful future.
I would like say the Irish soldier has fought for many Countries with courage and leadership
down the centuries.
Lance Corpal White well done a true brave Irish man & Irish Soldier.

Regards
Anthony.

[andybrennan]

Dan of the big Stint

good to see you are active in all things Curragh (oops I hope I have this right)

Nurse jackie is minding you

Keep safe pal

Andy

[andybrennan]

Mea Culpa


My friend Charlie can stand in his own .

and to that young man Mr Whyte well done.

Andy

[Brendan]

Hi Gaul:

You’re belief and feelings are understandable. Countless of Ireland’s brothers and sisters have always had a unique relationship with our closest neighbour and nemesis, Britain. When I left Ireland having spent over 12 years in the army, there was a trickle of guilt joining the British Police. Having done so, I have never looked back! My eyes were open to a different world.

Like Joey said, economic circumstances forces the population to look to “greener” pastures. Ironically the UK has been home to millions of “Paddy’s.” Being one of them, I am proud of my choice.

I don’t want to bore you about the fact that we are a small open economy, but it is an indelible fact that we are dependent upon the larger economies of Europe and the world.

Lance Corporal James White is a credit to ALL Irish men and women. He may be serving the Queen, but he, in turn, is serving everyone who wants to live free. I am proud that he is a son of Ireland!

I urge you to stop living in the past and look to the future. We are all in this together. We should never forget our history, but at the same time, we need to push aside our grievances to enable us to grow and be a part of something wonderful and great.

Brendan

[afcmoore]

Well said Brendan.
It's one big melting pot lets get on ,better the olive branch than the sword.
Well G night all .
Regards
Anthony Just hope we don't need the housewife from the inside tunic pocket.