Bravery award for tank driver who fought to save Motherwell solider

Jul 31 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

A TANK driver who risked his own life in a desperate bid to save a drowning Motherwell soldier in Iraq has been awarded a prestigious honour for his outstanding bravery.

Guardsman Paul McGhee (27) was driving a tank in pitch-black conditions at 3am when he noticed another armoured vehicle, being driven by Army comrade Stephen Ferguson, in trouble.

The pals, who were in the same platoon, were patrolling with The Scots Guards near their Confinery Operation Base in war-torn Iraq when the tank Stephen was driving plunged into a canal.

Paul jumped into the water in an effort to save his friend, who was known as Fergie.

But, tragically, his efforts were ultimately in vain and 31-year-old Stephen lost his fight for life.

Now Paul's heroic actions have been recognised as he has been awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery.

This week, he told how he did all he could to try to rescue his friend.

Paul said: "The incident happened during the first month of our tour of Iraq in December last year. We were patrolling at 3am and I was driving one vehicle, with Fergie driving the other.

"I was the driver in the tank behind and I could see through my night sight that Fergie was 300 metres ahead.

"Suddenly, the back end of his vehicle went up. We didn't realise there was a canal there and Fergie's tank had slipped into it.

His hatch was right under the water. I drove up and tried to tow the vehicle out. I was worried because I knew that Fergie was under the water."

At this point, Paul jumped out of his vehicle and plunged into the water, where he battled against a strong current to get the heavy hatch open in a bid to save the pal he had known for seven years.

Determined Guardsman Paul, from Lochwinnoch, didn't give up and dived underwater twice.

"I got Fergie out, but he was unconscious," said Paul. "He had no heartbeat and wasn't breathing.

"I did mouth-to-mouth on him for 15 minutes until the ambulance arrived."

Fergie, who had been underwater for up to 15 minutes, was taken to hospital for emergency treatment.

The Motherwell man managed to hold on to life until his father flew out to Iraq.

Paul's proud mum Anne and sister Kelly believe he truly deserves the Queen's Commendation for Bravery, which comes in the form of a distinctive silver oak leaf.

Anne said: "Paul was very friendly with the boy who died and we were very upset for his family, but we are also proud of what he did."

Stephen was later buried at Dalziel St Andrews Church wearing a strip donated by his heroes at Motherwell Football Club.