33 Soldiers

WO 2 Andy Mudd.

Exemplo Ducemus, ‘by example we lead’, is the motto of the Royal Military Police. Andy Mudd proudly wears on the lapel of his jacket a red plumed badge. It is the Royal Military Police, ‘Close Protection’ badge on which the word Protegimus, ‘protect’ is inscribed.

As a Staff Sergeant and Close Protection Team Leader he was awarded a British Empire Medal in the 1990 Queens New Years Honours List for the protection of HM ambassador Sir Allan Ramsay, his family and the FCO Staff in the Lebanon.

It was during the time Terry Waites and others were held hostage. Salman Rushdie had published his controversial book, ‘The Satanic Verses’, and threats had increased dramatically.

“Midway through the tour Civil War broke out. Areas of our living and working life were put under siege. Both ground terrorist type bombs and ariel shelling took place daily”.

The Citation for his award read. “On one particular occasion he displayed exemplary qualities of courage and leadership in rescuing members of Embassy Staff from their apartments whilst under machine gun and rocket fire. The team were exposed to considerable danger in carrying out its responsibilities. S.Sgt Mudd’s quick, calm and professional leadership during this period was outstanding”.

To quote Andy. “They were a great team and it was a privilege and honour to receive this award on their behalf”.

Andy is very proud of his service in the Corps, to the Queen and his country. For this role he has paid a high price.

On 14 March 1984, a Ulster Defence Association team from Rathcoole in Northern Ireland attempted to assassinate Sien Fein Leader Gerry Adams. Adams was attending a court in Belfast and as he moved from there they shot at him from their car in the street. Adams was hit three times but survived.

By coincidence, the then Corporal Mudd and his driver were passing on a recce for a forthcoming close protection assignment. As the assassination car sped away, Mudds driver, Steve Haughton, quickly went in pursuit.

The car pulled over into a crowded shopping area and two men fled. Mudd and Haughton chased them on foot, weapons drawn ready to shoot.

The men realised they were caught and were arrested in the street. In Andy’s words “Short and sharp, no fuss”. Both were awarded a Mention in Dispatches.

In the quagmire of political conspiracy that followed the IRA claimed...“The fact that British personnel were in the vicinity immediately raised the possibility that the British were aware of the attack and were prepared to let it go ahead”.

In 1989, 5 years after this event, Andy and his wife Maggie set out on a Christmas shopping trip to Colchester. The IRA had planted a bomb under the wheel arch of his car. The blast resulted in Andy losing both legs and part of his hand, Maggie suffered facial injuries.

In his portrait Andy proudly wear his BLESMA tie. He serves on the board of this charity, set up to support injured service personnel.

Two years ago he volunteered to be in a choir for Gareth Malone in a BBC documentary. He is a member of the Invictus Games Choir, formed with 10 wounded, sick and injured personnel. They sang in Florida at the opening ceremony of the Games. The choir has now grown to over 50 members.

“For me having gone through the ordeal of the bomb in Colchester and loosing my wife Maggie to Cancer I see my greatest achievement in life as having my two children Jack and Katy and bringing them up to be lovely people with great purpose and intent in their lives. “

Andy continued to serve as a member of the RMP for a further seven years after his injury. Despite the brutality of his trials and the passing of time, his pride in having served does not diminish, it flourishes.

A dedicated father, singer, an enthusiast in the art of Bonsia, BLESMA executive and a skilled photographer. Andy with astonishing grit and defiance has not allowed his life changing injuries to destroy his life...by example we lead, Exemplo Ducemus.

 

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