THE courage, selflessness and resolve of a Worcester soldier in Afghanistan has been honoured in the latest operational honours list.

Sergeant James ‘Tommo’ Thomas, of 61 Field Squadron, part of 33 Engineer Regiment has been mentioned in dispatches – the oldest form of recognition of gallantry within the UK Armed Forces.

Married to Jane, with two children Victoria, aged seven and Harry, five, Sergeant Thomas is to receive the honour for his gallant leadership and courage in what is statistically the most dangerous work in Helmand – the search for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

A former pupil at South Bromsgrove High School, Sgt Thomas, aged 32, commanded a team working in an area heavily seeded with IEDs in Khar Nikah.

In December last year work began on two observation posts (OP) close to his compound, to give Afghan troops greater security.

Sgt Thomas and his team cleared the compound of IEDs for the first OP, and then, using their engineering skills, led the effort to construct the base.

The watching insurgents responded to the threat the OP presented by firing a rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire at the engineers throughout the building work.

Undeterred, Sgt Thomas continued to lead his men in the construction project, in full view of the enemy, only pausing once when a soldier on the roof of the building was injured by small arms fire. Sgt Thomas carried him down a ladder to safety and then rallied the work party to return to the construction project.

Moving to start on the second OP, however, a soldier struck an IED. He lost three of his limbs.

Sgt Thomas immediately set about clearing a safe route, but a second IED was activated, causing a second soldier to lose both legs. Sgt Thomas, who was right behind the soldier, administered first aid with two others and arranged his evacuation.

“He then picked up his search equipment and personally led the continued route clearance towards the second OP.

Again, he was the first to volunteer to help build the new OP, which once again came under sporadic fire.

His citation read: “Through both incidents, Thomas displayed not only remarkable composure and fortitude but a staggering indefatigability. The OPs have since transformed the lives and confidence of local nationals within their aegis.”

The awards are for actions during the period October 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011.