VICTORIA CROSS
This weekend I had the honour of meeting and photographing L/Cpl Johnson Beharry, the first living VC in 40 years, who should have died and refused. He is a large, gentle and gathered man who, like many of the bravest I have met, shows a quiet and unassuming face belying the reality of his abilities, his determination and his tenacity.
He spoke with the children at the school and then sat for over 4 hours, signing his book, dressed in his Blues in the blazing sun while parents stood in a never ending queue; ignoring the sports day, their children and each other. Each handed over £20 each for his signed book and the money goes to the charity ‘Help for Heroes’ on this, the first armed services day.
Mr Beharry is not just an ambassador, he is a dignified man and as with many men like him, who have been places and undertaken experiences that were beyond their imagining, he brings humility and thoughtfulness in his wake.
L/Cpl Johnson Beharry. It is not everyday you see a real Victoria Cross, let alone photograph the person who won it
That was my first impression and I was a soldier for 10 years and from an army family. I shall now read his book. But my overwhelming impression is that he is what a proud woman would call a fine son.
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