Heroic Scott from Guiseley is honoured after saving soldier's life (From Wharfedale Observer)

Heroic Scott from Guiseley is honoured after saving soldier's life

10:34am Thursday 4th October 2012 in Local news By Jonathan Redhead, Ilkley/Otley Reporter

A life-saving soldier who ran through a barrage of enemy fire to aid a colleague wounded by a bomb has been recognised for his heroism.

Brave Corporal Scott Dyson, of the 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, ran 200 metres under fire through ground not cleared of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to try to help colleagues while out on patrol with the Afghan National Army (ANA).

Now the 29-year-old from Guiseley has been praised for his “outstanding leadership and personal courage” in the “face of grave danger”, which saved the life of a soldier.

Cpl Dyson admitted he ‘pushed his luck’ in the daring incident in the village of Llara Kalay in Nahr-e Saraj, which saw the patrol targeted with machine gun and small arms fire, as well as rifle-launched grenades.

Cpl Dyson was on joint patrol with the ANA, when the Afghan platoon came under fire.

He marshalled the ANA troops in how to suppress enemy fire and protect themselves, while the remainder of his own platoon took cover 200 metres away.

As the other patrol tried to occupy a compound, they struck a large IED, critically wounding two soldiers.

But ignoring the risk to his own life, Cpl Dyson ran through the uncleared ground and into a ditch to help the casualties.

“I was worried there were more IEDs but I decided I had to help the casualties,” the former Guiseley School pupil said.

“There were four guys involved. I went to the one who had initiated the IED first but there was nothing I could do for him. Two others were dazed and a third was out cold and had serious injuries to the back of his legs. The first two regained their senses and we got the unconscious guy on a stretcher and extracted him.”

Still under fire, Cpl Dyson treated the casualties and arranged their evacuation by an emergency helicopter.

“I went back to the soldier who had been killed, and from the crater caused by the IED, pulled him across to me,” he said. At this point, I started thinking ‘I’m pushing my luck here’.

“I got him onto a stretcher and covered him up. The gunfire had stopped by now. I take my hat off to the ANA. They suppressed the enemy enough to allow the extraction.”

Cpl Dyson also paid tribute to the soldiers who played their part in ensuring there were no more casualties.

“Without them, it wouldn’t have been possible,” he said.

The soldier will now get a Mention in Despatches, which is one of the oldest forms of recognition for gallantry in the United Kingdom Armed Forces.

The citation concludes: “Dyson displayed outstanding leadership and personal courage when responding to the fatal IED blast whilst under insurgent fire.

“Through outstanding personal example and prompt action in the face of grave danger, Dyson ensured control of this chaos was regained, despite the personal danger he was in.

“His actions had a galvanising effect on the other soldiers involved and saved the life of another soldier.”