Brit war hero who won Military Cross aged 18 for bravery saving wounded commander during Taliban ambush in Afghanistan is selling medal because it is a ‘painful reminder’ of trauma

A hero soldier who is Britain’s youngest known Military Cross recipient in 80 years is selling his prized gallantry medal because it is a ‘painful reminder’ of his time in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Alexander Kennedy was just 18 years old when he displayed ‘exceptional bravery’ during a Taliban ambush to save the life of his severely wounded platoon commander.

The rifleman’s unit came under intense fire from multiple enemy positions during a patrol at Garmsir in Helmand Province in 2009.

Lance Corporal Kennedy, of 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment, crawled over to Captain Andy Bell who had been shot in both legs to give him first aid.

He was knocked to the ground himself by a bullet which struck his light machine gun – leaving him temporarily blind and deaf.

But he quickly regained his senses and continued to tend to Capt Bell in the exposed position under relentless fire from at least nine enemy combatants.

At the same time, he directed covering fire and called in armoured support to enable Capt Bell to be evacuated from danger and survive.

Lance Corporal Kennedy engaged the enemy with accurate machine gun fire which drew their attention away from his injured superior.

Lance Corporal Alexander Kennedy was just 18 years old when he displayed ‘exceptional bravery’ during a Taliban ambush to save the life of his severely wounded platoon commander

He was awarded the prestigious Military Cross, becoming the youngest recipient of the medal in 80 years

His Military Cross citation for June 8, 2009 reads: ‘Private Kennedy was point man during a patrol in Garmsir, Helmand province.

‘He came under fire from multiple Taliban positions.

‘His platoon commander, Captain Andy Bell, was shot in the leg.

‘Kennedy was hit by a bullet that smashed into his light machine gun, knocking him to the ground, temporarily blinding and deafening him.

‘Nevertheless, he continued to fight, gave first aid to the officer, and called in armoured support.

‘He undoubtedly saved the life of his platoon commander, and without thought for his own safety, continued to engage the enemy and rally his fellow soldiers.

‘Had this not happened the multiple would have taken many more casualties.

‘All this was done by a private soldier with six months experience in the Army.

Lance Corporal Kennedy (second from right) with (from left to right) Major Neil Grant, Corporal Craig Adkin and Captain Craig Brown at Buckingham Palace on the day they were all received the Military Cross for their respective heroism, July 9, 2010

The rifleman’s unit came under intense fire from multiple enemy positions during a patrol at Garmsir in the Helmand Province in 2009

Lance Corporal Kennedy, now aged in his early 30s, is selling his medals and the shrapnel-covered helmet he was wearing that day at Aubreys Auctioneers, of Guildford, Surrey

Lance Corporal Kennedy’s Military Cross. It is expected to sell for £33,800

‘Kennedy acted with a level of composure and situational awareness above that expected of a private soldier.

‘It is for this demonstration of selfless bravery and a cool head under fire that Kennedy is highly deserved of public recognition.’

Lance Corporal Kennedy, originally from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, received his MC from the then Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace on July 9, 2010.

At the time, he downplayed his heroism and said he had just been ‘doing his job’.

He said in a 2010 interview: ‘I don’t feel like a hero – that title should really go to those who go out to Afghanistan and don’t make it back.’

He remained in the Army for a few more years before returning to civilian life.

Lance Corporal Kennedy, now aged in his early 30s, is selling his medals and the shrapnel-covered helmet he was wearing that day at Aubreys Auctioneers, of Guildford, Surrey.

The auctioneers say his medals had become a ‘painful reminder’ of the horrors he lived in Afghanistan which had left him with PTSD.

The auctioneers say his medals had become a ‘painful reminder’ of the horrors he lived in Afghanistan which had left him with PTSD

Lance Corporal Kennedy in his desert fatigues in Afghanistan

Lance Corporal Alexander Kennedy’ helmet

Lance Corporal Kennedy’s medals. From left to right: the Military Cross; the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan; the Nato Service Medal 

In the 20 years that British troops were deployed in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021, 457 UK armed forces personnel were killed.

Lance Corporal Kennedy’s medals are estimated at £20,000 to £30,000.

Aubrey Dawson, managing director at Aubreys, said: ‘L/Corp Kennedy has suffered with PTSD and, though proud of their meaning, his medals are a painful reminder of quite a difficult time.

‘Letting them go is not a rejection but a step toward healing.

‘He would like to move on with his life and hopes his medals go to a new home and to someone who will cherish them.

‘What he did was an incredible act of bravery for someone of any age, but particularly somebody who was barely 18 – just remarkable.’

Lance Corporal Kennedy is believed to be the youngest Military Cross recipient since the Second World War. 

His medal group consists of The Military Cross; The Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan; and the N.A.T.O. Medal 1994.

The sale takes place on May 28.

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