British military heroes honoured for brave rescues in hurricanes

BRITISH military personnel have been recognised for their efforts in the wake of two devastating hurricanes which pummelled the Caribbean.

Barrelling through the region and unleashing life-threatening winds, category-five Hurricane Irma tore a destructive trail and sparked a major UK aid operation in September last year.

Anguilla and Turks and Caicos were impacted, while the British Virgin Islands bore the brunt of the damage, with buildings reduced to their foundations and a state of emergency declared.

The most powerful storm in decades was followed less than two weeks later by category five Hurricane Maria, which decimated the islands of Dominica and Puerto Rico. At the peak of relief efforts, more than 2,000 UK troops were in the Caribbean – with some being decorated in the latest round of operational military honours announced by the Ministry of Defence.

Flight Lieutenant Alexander Eveson has been awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service after he saved the life of a seven-month-old baby on September 22 last year.

The RAF Chinook pilot and his crew were tasked with flying to the island of Dominica to rescue the child, who was struggling to breathe. It was feared she would die without medical attention.

The two pilots, two aircrew and two medics flew to the island through treacherous conditions.

The 34-year-old, who is part of 27 Squadron and based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, said the award was an “incredible honour” that took him by surprise, and stressed the rescue was “undoubtedly a crew effort”.

Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Amy Gilmore, Royal Marines 40 Commando’s Major Tom Quinn and Sergeants William MacFarlane and James Oldale also received the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service.