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Warrant Officer Class 2 Johnson Gideon Beharry, VC, COG (born 26 July 1979), is a British Army soldier who, on 18 March 2005, was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valour in the British and Commonwealth armed forces.

Key Information

Saving members of his unit, the 1st Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, from ambushes on 1 May and again on 11 June 2004 at Al-Amarah, Iraq, Beharry sustained serious head injuries in the latter engagement.

Queen Elizabeth II formally invested him with the Victoria Cross on 27 April 2005.[2]

Personal life

[edit]

Beharry was born in Grenada, and has four brothers and three sisters of Dougla (African and Indian) descent.[3] His surname is the anglicised depiction of Bihari, originating from a region of India from which indentured labourers were brought to the Caribbean.[3] He moved to Great Britain in 1999 and in 2002 married Lynthia née Suarlie, who is also from Grenada. The couple divorced, following which the Ministry of Defence released an official statement declaring that the trauma of his war experiences had caused difficulties in his marriage.[4]

Beharry married secondly in London on 18 March 2013 to Mallissa Venice née Noel by whom he has three children, two boys and a girl.[5] Beharry is an active freemason, attending London's Queensman Lodge No. 2694.[6]

Army career

[edit]

Beharry joined the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment in August 2001. After training at Catterick, he became a driver of Warrior armoured vehicles in C Company, 1st Battalion. Before serving in Iraq, he served for six months in Kosovo and three months in Northern Ireland.[7]

Actions in Iraq

[edit]
Beharry's medal group as of 2005

On 1 May 2004, Beharry was driving a Warrior Tracked Armoured Vehicle that had been called to the assistance of a foot patrol caught in a series of ambushes. The Warrior was hit by multiple rocket propelled grenades, causing damage and resulting in the loss of radio communications. The platoon commander, the vehicle's gunner and a number of other soldiers in the vehicle were wounded. Due to damage to his periscope optics, Beharry was forced to open his hatch to steer his vehicle, exposing his face and head to withering small arms fire. Beharry drove the disabled Warrior through the ambush, taking his own crew and leading five other Warriors to safety. He then extracted his wounded comrades from the vehicle, all the time exposed to further enemy fire. He was cited on this occasion for "valour of the highest order".

While back on duty on 11 June 2004, Beharry was again driving the lead Warrior of his platoon through Al Amarah when the vehicle was ambushed. A rocket propelled grenade hit the vehicle six inches from Beharry's head, and he received serious shrapnel injuries to his face and brain. Other rockets then hit the vehicle, incapacitating his commander and injuring several of the crew. Despite his life-threatening injuries, Beharry retained control of his vehicle and drove it out of the ambush area before losing consciousness. He required brain surgery for his head injuries, and he was still recovering in March 2005 when he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

VC citation and first living recipient since the Vietnam War

[edit]

The full citation was published in a supplement to the London Gazette of 18 March 2005 and commented, "Private Beharry carried out two individual acts of great heroism by which he saved the lives of his comrades. Both were in direct face of the enemy, under intense fire, at great personal risk to himself (one leading to him sustaining very serious injuries)... Beharry displayed repeated extreme gallantry and unquestioned valour, despite intense direct attacks, personal injury and damage to his vehicle in the face of relentless enemy action."[8]

Beharry became the first Victoria Cross recipient since the posthumous awards to Lieutenant Colonel H. Jones and Sergeant Ian John McKay for service in the Falklands War in 1982. He was the first living recipient of the VC since Keith Payne and Rayene Stewart Simpson, both Australian, for actions in Vietnam in 1969, and the first living recipient of the VC in the British Army since Rambahadur Limbu, a Gurkha, in the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation in 1965. At the time of his award, he was one of only ten[nb 1] living recipients of the VC.[9]

Post-active military service

[edit]

As of 23 September 2006, as a result of his injuries, he still had severe pain in his back and head. Beharry continued to be financially supported by the Army but was unfit for duty due to the serious nature of his injuries in combat.[10]

On 26 September 2006 he was promoted to the rank of lance corporal.[11]

In February 2007 his portrait was presented to the National Portrait Gallery in London by the artist Emma Wesley and has since become part of the gallery's collection.[12]

On 3 September 2007 Beharry visited the veterans mental health charity Gardening Leave to open the Poppy Collection.[13]

On 19 May 2007 Beharry carried the FA Cup onto the pitch at the new Wembley Stadium before the final between Chelsea and Manchester United.

On 11 November 2008 Beharry served as an escort to 110-year-old Harry Patch, then one of only three remaining British survivors of the First World War, at The Cenotaph in London's Whitehall to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the signing of the armistice which ended that conflict. On 11 November 2009, Beharry, and Mark Donaldson—the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia (though not the first Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross)—handed a wreath to the Queen during a service in Westminster Abbey which marked the deaths in 2009 of the last three veterans of the First World War resident in the United Kingdom, Bill Stone, Henry Allingham and Harry Patch. The wreath was then laid on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.[14]

In December 2008 he drove his car into a lamppost at 100 mph in a suicide attempt, depressed and haunted by nightmares of his time in Iraq. He escaped unharmed and sought help from the organization Combat Stress. He later spoke out urging similarly affected veterans to seek help.[15]

On 30 April 2010 Beharry visited Duke of York's Royal Military School to take the salute at parade and to present the Baroness Thatcher Sword of Honour to the JUO of the winning Guard at Drill Competition. The Sword of Honour was first presented by Baroness Thatcher the previous year. He took time to talk to pupils on parade and visited the boys of Roberts House.

On 1 June 2012 Beharry was promoted to corporal and transferred to a public relations role with the Household Division. He therefore held the appointment of lance sergeant, as do all corporals serving in the Household Division.

On 30 June 2012 Beharry carried the torch for the 2012 Summer Olympics through the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas.[16]

In addition to still serving in the army within the London District, he is now very active with his charitable foundation set up on 5 September 2014.[17] The JBVC Foundation supports youths in getting away from gang culture and helps rehabilitate former offenders, helping with training and getting them into sustainable employment in the future.[18]

He was part of the delegation receiving the then-Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall during their 2019 royal visit to Grenada, where he spoke of the royal family’s important and unifying role.[19] He also defended the royal family against accusations of racism by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in 2021 after her and Prince Harry’s interview with Operah Winfrey.[20]

At the 2022 State Funeral of Elizabeth II Beharry pushed the wheelchair of Captain Keith Payne, VC, AM.[21]

His current rank as of March 2024 is Warrant Officer Class 2 (Sergeant-Major).[22]

At the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla, Beharry was the Standard-Bearer for Grenada in the procession of Commonwealth officials.[23]

Publishing deal

[edit]

On 18 September 2005 it was reported in the press that Beharry had obtained a publishing deal worth £1.5 million to write an autobiography of his experiences.[24] His book, entitled Barefoot Soldier, was ghostwritten in collaboration with Nick Cook and was published in October 2006.[25]

Media coverage

[edit]

Beharry was interviewed for the 2006 television docudrama Victoria Cross Heroes which also included archive footage and dramatisations of his actions.

According to The Daily Telegraph, a planned 90-minute drama about Beharry was cancelled by the BBC in 2007 allegedly for being too positive about his military service and might alienate members of the audience opposed to the Iraq war.[26]

Beharry then spoke out on BBC News on 28 February 2009 criticising the lack of support for ex-servicemen and women suffering from mental health problems, and revealing his own ongoing flashbacks and other symptoms.[27]

From 9 January to 20 March 2011, Beharry competed in the 2011 season of Dancing on Ice. He was partnered with Canadian ice-skater, Jodeyne Higgins, and reached the semi-finals, broadcast on 20 March 2011.

In 2013 a portrait was painted of Beharry in the first series of Artist of the Year by Nick Lord.

On 11 November 2012 Beharry appeared on the Aled Jones Radio 2 show.

On 28 October 2016 Beharry appeared on the BBC cookery show Great British Menu where he, along with other recipients of honours from Elizabeth II, was guest at a banquet honouring Great Britons who had been honoured with the OBE during Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

On 11 September 2023, Beharry attended the opening ceremony of the National Army Cadet Force Museum, in the Octavia Hill Birthplace House. While at the museum, Beharry was interviewed about his history with the military and his own conversations with the cadets present at the opening ceremony.[28][29]

Military decorations and campaign medals

[edit]
Country Date Appointment Ribbon Post-nominal letters Notes
United Kingdom 18 March 2005 Victoria Cross VC [30] For valour in Iraq
29 May 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal [30][31][32]
4 October 2016 Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military) [30] For 15 years regular army service
Grenada 2017 Companion of the Order of Grenada COG [30][33]
United Kingdom 6 February 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal [31][32]
6 May 2023 King Charles III Coronation Medal [31][32]
NATO Medal for Kosovo [30] For service in Kosovo
Iraq Medal [30][33]

Beharry served three months in Northern Ireland during the firefighters' strike, when he manned a fire tender. As such he was not engaged in military operational service in Northern Ireland and did not qualify for the General Service Medal (GSM) with Northern Ireland clasp.

Civilian honours

[edit]

In addition to his military decorations, WO2 Beharry has also been awarded:

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Johnson Beharry

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Johnson Gideon Beharry, VC, COG (born 26 July 1979), is a Grenadian-born British Army soldier who was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valour in the face of the enemy, for his actions during operations in Iraq in May and June 2004 while serving as a private with the 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. On two separate occasions, Beharry drove a Warrior infantry fighting vehicle through intense enemy fire to rescue wounded comrades, sustaining severe head injuries from an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire that required multiple brain surgeries and left him with lasting impairments. His award, announced on 18 March 2005, marked the first Victoria Cross bestowed in the 21st century and the first to a living recipient since 1969. Beharry, who immigrated to the United Kingdom from Grenada and enlisted in the Army in 2001 after prior service in Kosovo, continues to serve as a warrant officer, having also received the Companion of the Order of Grenada for his contributions to that nation.

Early Life

Childhood in Grenada

Johnson Gideon Beharry was born on 26 July 1979 in the rural village of Diego Piece on the island of , to parents Michael Bhola and Florette Beharry. He was the fourth of eight children in a family of modest Dougla heritage, facing chronic economic hardship typical of many rural Grenadian households in the post-independence era. The Beharry family resided in a basic two-bedroom , relying on and limited resources, with daily meals often consisting of beans and amid broader conditions of scarcity. Beharry frequently walked for three miles to attend , an experience that underscored the physical demands and isolation of village life, while instilling practical lessons in endurance and familial duty. Formal education was curtailed early; at age 13, Beharry withdrew from school to engage in manual labor as a decorator and general laborer, supporting the household through physically demanding work in Grenada's agrarian economy. These formative years in a tight-knit rural community emphasized self-reliance, resourcefulness, and mutual aid, shaping his character amid the constraints of island poverty and limited opportunities.

Move to the United Kingdom

Beharry emigrated from to the in 1999, at approximately age 20, to join relatives including an aunt in and pursue improved economic prospects amid limited opportunities in his home country. In the UK, he supported himself through low-skilled manual labor, working as a painter and decorator, automobile , and general on building sites. These roles provided but left Beharry increasingly dissatisfied with the aimlessness and of existence, prompting his search for greater purpose, , and long-term , which influenced his enlistment decision two years later.

Military Career

Enlistment and Initial Training

Beharry enlisted in the in August 2001, joining the 1st Battalion, as a private. He completed basic training at in , where recruits undergo rigorous instruction in , physical fitness, weapons handling, and tactical skills. This phase, typically lasting around 26 weeks for infantry soldiers, instills foundational competencies required for frontline service. Following basic , Beharry specialized as a driver for tracked armoured fighting vehicles in C , receiving specialized instruction on vehicle operation, maintenance, and crew coordination in scenarios. The , a key equipped with a 30mm and capable of carrying up to seven dismounts, demands precise handling skills to navigate varied terrain while ensuring crew safety and mission effectiveness. This equipped him with the technical proficiency essential for roles, emphasizing rapid response and defensive maneuvers under simulated combat conditions.

Deployments Prior to Iraq

Beharry's first operational deployment came in 2002 with the 1st Battalion, , to as part of 's peacekeeping mission following the . Serving as a driver of the Warrior tracked armoured vehicle, he participated in routine patrols through ethnically tense areas, conducting and escort duties amid potential threats from residual activity and civil unrest. This six-month tour provided initial exposure to multinational operations under command, involving coordination with forces from multiple nations and adaptation to post-conflict stabilization tasks, such as monitoring ceasefires and supporting refugee returns. The Kosovo experience honed Beharry's skills in operating armoured vehicles in unpredictable terrain and built familiarity with measures in environments where ambushes and improvised threats remained possible, though encounters were generally non-kinetic compared to later combat zones. It marked a transition from training exercises to real-world application, emphasizing discipline in movements and rapid response protocols within a framework. Subsequently, Beharry undertook a three-month tour in , contributing to security operations during the post-Good Friday Agreement phase, which involved patrolling urban areas and supporting police in maintaining public order amid sporadic dissident republican activity. These duties further developed his proficiency in urban navigation with the vehicle and heightened awareness of asymmetric threats, such as potential bombings or risks, fostering a mindset geared toward vigilance in settings. These pre-Iraq deployments collectively equipped Beharry with practical operational tempo, cross-cultural military integration, and threat assessment instincts, serving as a foundational buildup to more intense engagements without involving direct losses for his unit.

Combat Actions in Al-Amarah,

In the spring of 2004, Private Johnson Beharry served as a driver of a with the 1st Battalion, (PWRR), deployed in Al-Amarah, a city in southern controlled by Shia insurgents affiliated with groups like the . These insurgents frequently employed rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) launched from rooftops and urban hideouts to ambush British convoys in narrow streets, aiming to disable lead vehicles and pin down follow-on forces. Beharry's conducted resupply and missions amid this intensifying urban insurgency, where quick tactical maneuvers were critical to avoiding encirclement and casualties. On 1 May 2004, in the early hours, Beharry's company was tasked with replenishing an isolated outpost in central Al-Amarah. As the driver of the lead , his vehicle came under from multiple rooftop positions firing RPGs and small arms. An RPG detonated adjacent to the driver's position, destroying Beharry's armored and wounding the gunner with shrapnel; with visibility impaired, Beharry opened the driver's hatch, exposing himself to , and maneuvered the vehicle through the kill zone to reach relative safety. Once halted, he extracted his unconscious crew members— the commander, gunner, and another soldier—despite sustaining fragmentation injuries himself, enabling their evacuation and preventing their capture or death in the ongoing firefight. This action allowed the remainder of the convoy, including five trailing Warriors, to proceed and complete the resupply, preserving the operational integrity of the against the insurgents' attempt to isolate the outpost. Beharry returned to duty weeks later, and on 11 June 2004, while again driving the lead during a nighttime through Al-Amarah's streets, his was ambushed by insurgents using similar RPG tactics from elevated positions. An initial RPG struck the turret, injuring the gunner and , and another impacted near the driver's hatch, causing severe blast and fragmentation wounds to Beharry's face and body, including temporary blindness from blood and debris. Despite these injuries and the vehicle filling with smoke, Beharry maintained control, driving exposed through the barrage of fire to extract the from the zone and link up with support elements. He then personally evacuated his incapacitated crew to safety, actions that directly mitigated the insurgents' goal of destroying the lead vehicle and halting the , thereby safeguarding over two dozen comrades across the affected units in both incidents through his persistent command under fire.

Victoria Cross Award and Citation

Private Johnson Gideon Beharry was awarded the on 18 March 2005, as published in , recognizing two separate instances of extreme gallantry under direct enemy fire that saved the lives of multiple comrades. The official citation emphasized his "repeated extreme gallantry and unquestioned valour, despite intense direct attacks, and damage to his vehicle in two distinct actions." Beharry was formally invested with the medal by Queen Elizabeth II at on 27 April 2005, during a private investiture ceremony. This marked the first awarded in the and the first to a living recipient since Keith Payne's actions in in 1969, underscoring the award's stringent threshold in eras of low-intensity and where opportunities for such singular acts of valor diminish. The VC, established by royal warrant on 29 1856 under to honor Crimean War exploits, demands "most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy," criteria that prioritize causal impact on preserving lives at proportionate personal hazard beyond routine operational demands. With only 1,358 VCs conferred across British and Commonwealth forces since inception—fewer than three per year on average—its modern scarcity reflects not diminished heroism but the of conflict away from set-piece battles toward dispersed insurgencies, where gallantry often manifests collectively rather than in isolable feats warranting the VC's exacting standard. The award's rationale, rooted in first-principles evaluation of risk-reward asymmetry, validates actions where failure to intervene would compromise the recipient's fulfillment of duty, as articulated in the original warrant: recipients must exhibit conduct "of the highest order of valour or self-sacrifice." Beharry's case affirmed the VC's enduring applicability, even in vehicle-borne operations amid improvised explosive and small-arms threats, by demonstrating deliberate maneuvers that extracted personnel from kill zones despite grievous wounding. This recognition process, initiated via eyewitness recommendations and vetted through the chain of command to the monarch, preserves the award's integrity against dilution in protracted, non-linear engagements.

Injuries, Recovery, and Medical Discharge

During the ambush on 11 June 2004 in Al-Amarah, Iraq, a rocket-propelled grenade detonated against Beharry's Warrior vehicle just six inches from his head, inflicting severe shrapnel wounds to his face and brain, as well as additional injuries from the blast impact. These injuries compounded trauma from an earlier 1 May 2004 incident, where he had sustained a fractured skull and other wounds while extracting his crew under fire. Beharry was evacuated to a and subsequently airlifted to the , where he lapsed into a lasting five weeks. He underwent major brain surgery to address the , followed by extensive reconstructive treatment, including to stabilize damage from the impacts. Recovery involved prolonged rehabilitation, with Beharry still undergoing treatment as of March 2005, when he received the at . The injuries resulted in permanent neurological impairments, including short-term memory deficits that persist as residual effects of the brain trauma. Despite these challenges, Beharry returned to limited duties after initial recovery, as an attempted medical discharge shortly after his injuries was overturned, permitting non-combat service. He was eventually medically discharged from active positions in 2016 due to the cumulative impact on his health, marking the end of his front-line eligibility.

Post-Military Contributions

Autobiography and Publishing

In 2006, Johnson Beharry published Barefoot Soldier: A Story of Extreme Valour, co-written with journalist Nick Cook, which chronicles his upbringing in rural amid poverty—living in a two-bedroom hut with seven siblings, subsisting on basic rations like beans and , and attending —through his to the at age 13, involvement in urban challenges including petty crime, enlistment in the in 1999, deployments to and , and culminating in his combat experiences in Al-Amarah, , during 2004. The narrative emphasizes Beharry's personal agency in overcoming adversity, from manual labor as a decorator to forging discipline through military service, without delving into geopolitical critiques of the , instead highlighting tactical decisions under fire and individual survival instincts. The book serves as a for Beharry's unembellished recollections, drawing directly from his verbal accounts to Cook, who structured the prose while preserving the soldier's direct voice on events like steering his Warrior vehicle through ambushes despite severe injuries. This approach contrasts with mediated military memoirs, offering raw insights into the physical and psychological demands of frontline service, including the chaos of improvised explosive devices and small-arms fire, as recounted by a low-ranking private rather than officers. Commercially, Barefoot Soldier reached Sunday Times bestseller status upon release by (an imprint of Little, Book Group), reflecting public interest in firsthand narratives post-award, though hardback sales totaled approximately 29,000 copies, falling short of recouping the reported £1.3 million advance amid high expectations for a national hero's story. Its publication helped sustain authentic soldier testimonies amid a publishing landscape favoring sensationalized accounts, prioritizing Beharry's emphasis on duty and over external validations.

Charitable Foundations and Advocacy

In 2014, Beharry founded the JBVC Foundation, a dedicated to mentoring disadvantaged youth aged 15 to 25, particularly those involved in or at risk of gang culture, by providing support to help them exit cycles of and rebuild their lives through guidance, opportunities, and rehabilitation programs. The foundation's initiatives emphasize personal transformation, drawing from Beharry's own experiences with urban challenges prior to his , and include efforts to steer young offenders away from toward positive pathways. Beharry serves as honorary patron of the Caribbean Development Trust, supporting community development initiatives for Caribbean diaspora groups in the . He has also extended advocacy to military welfare by participating in fundraisers for regimental benevolent funds, such as attending a charity dinner in on 11 October 2024 to raise funds for the Royal Gibraltar Regiment's support for serving and former members. In recent years, Beharry has engaged in public advocacy events, including contributions to activities organized by the British and Caribbean Veterans Association in June 2024, promoting veteran recognition and youth themes. These self-initiated efforts underscore his commitment to fostering resilience among vulnerable youth and bolstering support networks for without relying on institutional frameworks.

Freemasonry and Public Engagements

Johnson Beharry was initiated into as a member of Queensman Lodge No. 2694, which meets at Freemasons' Hall in . He advanced within the fraternity to become Worshipful Master of Richard Clowes Lodge No. 2936 in , installed on 6 2024 at the Southend Masonic Centre. Despite ongoing effects from traumatic brain injuries sustained during his military service, Beharry's commitment enabled him to assume this leadership position, reflecting the fraternity's emphasis on personal resilience and brotherhood. In this role, he has addressed lodge cluster meetings, delivering motivational talks on service and valor. Beharry's Masonic activities extend to public ceremonial engagements, including support for commemorative events such as the VE Day 80 community initiative organized by , where he planned to attend services at in May 2025. Beyond Freemasonry, he participates in public speaking on themes of resilience and veteran experiences, notably delivering a address at the British and Caribbean Veterans Association's annual Summer Ball on 28 June 2025, coinciding with observances. In veteran advocacy contexts, Beharry has engaged with parliamentary figures, including a meeting with Speaker of the Sir at an October 2024 event supporting the Oppo Foundation, which aids military families and service personnel. These interactions underscore his role in bridging fraternal networks with broader public efforts to honor .

Personal Life and Challenges

Family and Relationships

Beharry was married to Lynthia Beharry until their separation in May 2005, as confirmed by the . He remarried Mallissa Venice Noel, a fellow Grenadian, in a ceremony on March 23, 2013. The couple has three children: son Ayden Gideon Beharry, born on August 5, 2013, at 9:30 p.m. weighing 7 pounds 1 ; daughter Aniyah, born in 2018; and son Amari, born in early 2021. Beharry has described his family as a stabilizing force following his injuries, with fatherhood and contributing to his personal resilience; in a 2021 interview, he noted that becoming a husband and parent helped him heal emotionally. Mallissa Beharry echoed this, highlighting the positive impact of life on his after eight years of marriage as of 2021. The maintains ties to Grenadian heritage through both spouses' origins and an extended network spanning and the , providing ongoing support.

Health Impacts and Veteran Support Critique

Johnson Beharry has reported enduring persistent symptoms consistent with (PTSD) stemming from his combat injuries in , including recurrent nightmares, flashbacks, excessive sweating during sleep, mood swings, and unexplained rages, which continued at least five years post-injury as of 2009. These manifestations, self-described as daily torments, have included waking drenched in sweat from battle relivings and ongoing physical pain intertwined with psychological distress, as noted in later personal accounts up to 2021. In 2010, Beharry disclosed a via intentional car crash, driven by depression and unrelenting nightmares linked to his service, highlighting the severity of untreated sequelae from frontline exposure. In a February 28, 2009, BBC Radio 4 Today programme interview, Beharry publicly critiqued the UK's veteran support as "a disgrace," asserting that ex-servicemen faced undue barriers to treatment despite evident combat-induced trauma. He accused the government of neglecting its moral and causal obligation to those injured in sanctioned operations, arguing that reliance on under-resourced charities to fill gaps exemplified bureaucratic prioritization over empirical care needs, with veterans compelled to self-advocate amid growing posttraumatic stress cases. Beharry emphasized that training soldiers for lethal combat without commensurate post-service psychological infrastructure left many, including himself, ill-equipped for civilian reintegration, underscoring a to address the direct causal chain from duty-performed risks to lifelong impairments. This critique, echoed in contemporaneous reports, revealed disparities where physical rehabilitation advanced but services lagged, compelling heroes of verified valor to publicly demand accountability rather than receiving proactive state intervention.

Religious Faith and Personal Resilience

Johnson Beharry's Christian faith served as a personal source of strength during his , exemplified by his carrying of a (NIV) Bible into combat in , which he lost amid the intense fighting in Al-Amarah. The , symbolizing his spiritual commitment, was subsequently replaced by the Naval Military & Air Force Bible Society, highlighting faith's enduring role even after material loss in battle. In his autobiography Barefoot Soldier, Beharry recounts invoking "My " during a moment of direct enemy fire, reflecting an instinctive reliance on divine intervention amid life-threatening peril that underscores belief's contribution to immediate . This personal aligns with faith's causal function in bolstering under extreme stress, providing a framework for endurance without reliance on external validation. Beharry has maintained a private approach to his Christianity, avoiding public proselytizing and emphasizing its internal impact on sustaining resolve through recovery from traumatic brain injuries sustained in 2004. Such belief systems, grounded in scriptural promises of perseverance, likely aided his long-term rehabilitation by instilling purpose and , distinct from clinical interventions alone.

Honors and Recognition

Military Decorations

Johnson Beharry was awarded the , the highest decoration for gallantry in the face of the enemy in the , on 18 March 2005 for two acts of valour during Operation Telic in . The first incident occurred on 1 May 2004 near Al-Amarah, where, as driver of a Warrior infantry fighting vehicle, he manoeuvred through sustained rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) and small arms fire from over 20 insurgents to reposition and protect his dismounted comrades, enabling their extraction despite sustaining shrapnel wounds to his face, neck, and body from a grenade impact. In the second action on 11 June 2004 in the same area, he again drove under heavy RPG assault—suffering a severe from an exploding grenade that penetrated his vehicle's hatch—while refusing evacuation to ensure his crew's safety until the vehicle reached a secure position. These awards recognised his repeated extreme gallantry under direct enemy attack, marking the first VC for a living British service member since 1965 and the first of the 21st century. Beharry also qualified for campaign medals tied to verified operational deployments involving combat risks, including NATO peacekeeping in and the Iraq counter-. These reflect cumulative service exceeding 30 days in designated theatres of risk, per criteria.
AwardDate of Award/EligibilityRationale
18 March 2005Conspicuous gallantry in two vehicle rescues under RPG fire in Al-Amarah, (1 May and 11 June 2004), saving lives despite personal injuries.
(Kosovo clasp)2002Six months' service in theatre (KFOR mission), involving potential exposure to ethnic tensions and armed incidents.
Iraq Medal2004Operational service exceeding 30 days in (Op Telic), amid active insurgency and ambushes.

Civilian Awards and Titles

In 2017, Beharry was appointed Companion of the Order of (COG), the highest honor in Grenada's national order, presented during the 43rd anniversary of the island's independence for his exemplary service and ties to his birthplace. He holds the Freedom of the Borough of , granted on 12 May 2012 in recognition of his residence and contributions to the community, and the Freedom of the Borough of , awarded on 17 September 2014 for his gallantry and services to the borough. Beharry received an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering from the on 22 July 2011, honoring his resilience and public service beyond military duties. He serves as an for , promoting the nation's interests and maintaining cultural connections.

References

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  4. https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/caribbean-travel/grenada-cheers-the-poor-son-who-became-victorious-g0xrwcd9prh
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  12. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/i-gang-like-tv-top-31072427
  13. https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/beharry-johnson-1980
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  18. http://www.militaryspeakers.co.uk/speakers/johnson-beharry-vc/
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  25. https://veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/medals-and-decorations/medals/victoria-cross-vc-united-kingdom
  26. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/The-Victoria-Cross/
  27. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/victoria-cross-hero-johnson-beharry-21384606
  28. https://www.headway.org.uk/about-headway-uk/working-with-us/headway-supporters/
  29. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8010758/Victoria-Cross-Winner-Johnson-Beharry-plans-to-quit-the-Army-in-frustration.html
  30. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/heroes-share-powerful-stories-sacrifice-19615074
  31. https://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Soldier-Johnson-Beharry/dp/0751538795
  32. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/barefoot-soldier-johnson-beharry/1103740784
  33. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/dec/16/decade-best-unread-books
  34. https://www.andrewlownie.co.uk/2007/07/01/how-to-write-a-military-history-best-seller/
  35. https://www.abebooks.com/9780316733212/Barefoot-Soldier-Story-Extreme-Valour-0316733210/plp
  36. https://www.jbvc-foundation.org.uk/our-story
  37. https://www.temple-legal.co.uk/news/the-jbvc-foundation-rebuilding-lives-beyond-gang-culture/
  38. https://x.com/jbvcfoundation
  39. https://www.gbc.gi/news/johnson-beharry-shares-incredible-story-bravery-how-against-all-odds-he-turned-his-life-around
  40. https://www.chronicle.gi/victoria-cross-soldier-supports-rg-benevolent-fund/
  41. https://bcva.weebly.com/
  42. https://greatbritishspeakers.co.uk/talents/johnson-beharry-speaker/
  43. https://guernseyfreemasons.org.uk/2025/10/14/brother-johnson-beharry/
  44. https://www.ugle.org.uk/discover-freemasonry/blog/sergeant-major-johnson-beharry-vc-cog-installed-master-richard-clowes-lodge
  45. https://www.essexfreemasons.org.uk/news/rc-cm-2024
  46. https://www.essexmagazine.co.uk/2025/03/local-hero-johnson-beharry-vc-and-essex-freemasons-unite-for-ve-day-80-community-initiative/
  47. https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=1073057194822286&id=100063540468157
  48. https://x.com/PaulFosterMP/status/1850938690996257039
  49. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4526325.stm
  50. https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2013032511751/johnson-beharry-weds-hello-exclusive/
  51. https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/10310661.vc-hero-finds-joy-with-new-bride/
  52. https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/2013080613962/johnson-beharry-welcomes-baby/
  53. https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/2018110964395/johnson-beharry-and-wife-malissa-expecting-baby-number-two/
  54. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/28581749/johnson-beharry-saves-kids-from-fire/
  55. https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/hero-soldier-johnson-beharry-unveils-24801157
  56. https://www.magzter.com/stories/Celebrity/OK-UK/BECOMING-A-HUSBAND-AND-A-PARENT-HAS-HELPED-ME-TO-HEAL
  57. https://blackwallst.media/the-remarkable-story-of-johnson-gideon-beharry/
  58. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7916221.stm
  59. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/may/17/johnson-beharry-iraq-suicide-attempt
  60. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/4883944/Victoria-Cross-hero-Johnson-Beharry-condemns-failure-to-care-for-veterans.html
  61. https://www.thetimes.com/article/lance-corporal-johnson-beharry-accuses-government-of-neglecting-soldiers-f0h9rdp29qk
  62. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/feb/28/johnson-beharry-iraq-trauma-soldiers
  63. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8160294.stm
  64. https://www.biblicaeurope.com/2016/04/10/the-naval-military-air-force-bible-society/
  65. https://www.hachette.com.au/johnson-beharry/barefoot-soldier
  66. https://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbbeharr.htm
  67. https://motivationalspeakersagency.co.uk/military/johnson-beharry
  68. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-nnDSC0iss
  69. https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/7907
  70. https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/%2528S%2528czobl0450xbqi155ede3ifez%2529%2529/mgAi.aspx?ID=81803
  71. https://www.mylondon.news/news/local-news/vc-hero-johnson-beharry-hounslow-7784131
  72. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-sussex-14246504
  73. https://x.com/johnsonbeharry?lang=en
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