'The Taliban were shooting .. but I knew it was just something that had to be done' HONOURS FOR ARMED FORCES HEROES.

Byline: By MAGGIE BARRY

A SCOTS soldier given a top award for bravery yesterday told how he dodged Taliban bullets to help fellow squaddies in Afghanistan.

Corporal Donald Campbell, 26, this week received the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross - second only to the Victoria Cross - for driving an unarmoured vehicle in the face of enemy fire, then jumping out to lay a path over a ditch for other soldiers to follow.

The Royal Engineer, the first ever from his regiment to receive the award, said yesterday: "At the time I knew that it was something that had to be done and I just thought that it was a good idea.

"I was driving a front loader, a big civilian tractor with a load of fascines in the bucket. I drove under fire to the ditch, but before I could unload, I had to jump out and cut the bindings. The Taliban were shooting, then I had to get back under cover."

Cpl Campbell, from Benbecula, went on: "I was very shocked and very surprised at the award and still am. I come from the Island of South Uist and when I phoned my Mum, I don't thing she really knew what it was all about. I am surprised and happy about the award, I feel good about it."

Warrant officer Brian Boyter, of 26 Engineering Regiment, said: "Donald is one of my section and his bravery is second to none. I have been privileged to command him both in the barracks and on operations.

"This is the second highest award for bravery in the British army and it is the first time an engineer has won it."

The citation for Cpl Donald read: "Campbell is awarded for his incredible act of premeditated bravery, intentionally driving an unprotected piece of large plant machinery into an enemy killing zone, whilst under very intense accurate fire for a considerable amount of time, he carefully placed a fascine into a ditch enabling an armoured advance."

Three other Scots were awarded the Military Cross this week - the third highest bravery award - for separate actions of courage in Afghanistan.

Lance Bombardier Michael Frew, 26, from Dundee, sprinted through enemy fire and took on Taliban fighters so comrades from the 19th Regiment Royal Artillery, The Highland Gunners, could flee to safety.

His citation read: "He is awarded for his extraordinary bravery, application of firepower and tenacity to succeed in the face of perilous danger."

Bombardier Paul Greenwood, of the same regiment, was with the Afghan National Army when they came under fire.

One Afghan soldier was killed and three wounded. All but three of the ANA fled while the wounded were being taken out.

Those left had less than a magazine of ammunition each and realised they were about to come under renewed attack from advancing Taliban forces.

Bdr Greenwood volunteered to run through the enemy fire to get essential ammunition despite knowing that if he were hit no-one would be able to rescue him. He left his position of safety and returned with enough ammunition to hold the enemy at bay for four hours. His group was then able to stage a fighting withdrawal.

Corporal Michael Lockett, of the Mercian Regiment, was honoured for his leadership, command, control and courage when his forward section sustained serious casualties.

He dashed into the "killing area" in a fiveman extraction party and moved forward three times to rescue wounded troops.

In all 10 Scots were among 184 awards given to servicemen and women this week.

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CAPTION(S):

BRAVE: Cpl Campbell and, inset, Conspicuous Gallantry Cross; BRAVE: L Bdr Frew MC; BRAVE: Bdr Greenwood MC; BRAVE: Cpl Lockett MC