Johnson Beharry carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg through the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Victoria Cross
The VC was introduced on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War. Since then, the medal has been awarded 1,356 times to 1,353 individual recipients As the highest award for valour of the United Kingdom, the Victoria Cross is always the first award to be presented at an investiture, even before knight- hoods, as was shown at the investiture of Private Johnson Beharry who received his medal before General Sir Mike Jackson received his knighthood Since the end of the Second World War the original VC has been awarded 13 times
And they were pouring water on me. About four to six hours later I wake up in camp. Johnson's actions that day saved 27 of
his comrades. But he also encountered more danger six weeks later. Once again he drove into an ambush. This time a grenade exploded six inches from his face. He managed to reverse the vehicle out, under heavy fi re, but his whole head was smashed and he was given only a 1% chance of survival - with his head and spine injured, and severe damage to his shoulder. Nevertheless, Johnson pulled through. He
is philosophical about his survival. Johnson: Anyone who has been through
what I’ve been through and survived it, well, I can’t think of a second person that has been through what I’ve been through and survived. I wouldn’t say I’m lucky, I’d say I’m blessed. Johnson now supports numerous charities
and is passionate about educating teenagers to give them a sense of purpose in life. In his view, you "can't give up" on them, but have to get through to them to use their energies. b