Mother tells of her pride at hero soldier's posthumous decoration

8:00am Saturday 20th March 2010

By Stephen Bailey

THE mother of Captain Mark Hale spoke of her pride as the Bournemouth soldier won a posthumous decoration.

The 42-year-old, who grew up in Winton, was a logistics officer killed in Afghanistan in August after volunteering to go on foot patrol.

He was helping a wounded comrade to a helicopter when the men were hit by another explosion.

Captain Hale won the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service, similar to a Mention in Dispatches. It recognises meritorious work in support of operations.

Mum Diana Russell, Wallisdown, speaking on behalf of her family, said: “We are very proud – it’s just a shame he is not here to receive it himself.

Captain Hale was serving in the Sangin valley with 2 Rifles, the unit which has suffered the most of any British unit during a deployment.

The full citation cannot be released, but a Ministry of Defence spokesman summarised it, saying: “He ensured the men never ran short of critical equipment or supplies.

“He also went out on a lot of patrols with Riflemen. He would usually carry the heaviest piece of equipment - and the men loved him for that.

“He was also very involved in insuring that injured men got the best care very quickly.”

Captain Hale spent 26 years in the army and lived near his unit’s Northern Ireland barracks. He had a wife, Brenda, and two children.

His honour came in the same set of awards that saw bomb disposal expert Olaf Schmid awarded a posthumous George Cross.

Captain Hale’s commanding officer, acting Colonel Robert John Thomson, was himself awarded a DSO.

He said when Captain Hale died: “His ability to absorb work, pressure and other people's worries was genuinely legendary.”

The money raised will go to The Undentable Trust, a foundation set up his memory to support servicemen.

Auction prices include: two spa days at the Chewton Glen Hotel in the New Forest; VIP tickets to the Wireless Festival; shirts signed by tennis star Andy Murray and Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic; tickets to see England play the Barbarians; a submarine tour; two aeroplane flights; and Boscombe beach hut rentals.

Tickets cost £50 per person, £450 per table of 10, or £540 for table of 12. Email brodieresidence@aol.com or visit theundentabletrust.co.uk.

His family will also be collecting in Poole’s Dolphin Centre today from 9am to 4.30pm.