Charles honours bravest of the brave at special church service
The nation’s military and civilian heroes were remembered at the event.
Some of the bravest of the brave who have won the UK’s highest awards for gallantry have been remembered at a special service.
There were 20 recipients of the Victoria Cross or the George Cross, along with widows and families of those who have posthumously received the honours, at the tribute at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London’s Trafalgar Square.
The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Metropolitan Police Commissioner joined the service of remembrance and rededication where hymns were sung and prayers for world peace, the Queen, country and Commonwealth, were said.
The retired officer, who served for two decades in the special forces, returned a dozen times to the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi in 2013 to search for survivors and lead them to safety, after al-Shabab extremists stormed the centre armed with machine guns and grenades.
Mr Troulan described his debut appearance, including meeting the other attendees and chatting with Charles, as an “out of body experience, humbling and fascinating”.
Mr Troulan said the “humbling” thing for him was the many ordinary people who stepped in to help as the nightmare unfolded at the shopping mall.
He said: “This medal is not just about me, it is about lots of other people.”
The nation’s military and civilian heroes are remembered at the service, which is held every two years to reflect on sacrifices made in the service of others.
The Last Post and Reveille were also performed during the solemn event, which supports the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.
The elite group of invited guests included Johnson Beharry, who in 2005 became the first living recipient of the Victoria Cross since 1965.
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour “in the face of the enemy” to members of the armed forces.
The George Cross (GC) is the highest civil decoration and is awarded to those who have displayed the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage whilst in extreme danger.
The Prince of Wales, who has been president of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association since 2003, later hosted a tea party at St James’s Palace for the veterans and their families.
