Published: Wednesday, 14th May, 2008 12:00
Former Largs man is war hero in Iraq
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Major Neil Sutherland, Royal Marines, was awarded an M.B.E. recently for outstanding service, including active command of a company fighting in one of the world’s hot spots in which British forces are currently engaged.
His mother, Mary Neil, worked in a major retail outlet in Ayr before marrying Iain Sutherland, a police officer who retired a few years ago when in post at Largs. They now live in Exmouth.
Major Sutherland, who was educated at Largs Academy, commanded an outpost in the deserted market town of Nowazad, a stop-over point for enemy infiltrators near the Sangin Valley in the notorious Helmand province.
His 42 Commando company, which could only be supplied by helicopter, held the base despite Taliban attacks by rocket-propelled grenades from only 100 yards away.
A military spokesman was quoted as saying: “What the Royal Marines did while in Nowazad was resolute and professional. They did not give an inch to the Taliban and continued to take care of local civilian matters while uncompromisingly battling every day. Striking that balance for Major Sutherland was not easy but he managed to do it in the worst of circumstances.”
Major Sutherland, who is 36, is married with two children. His sister Gayl (32) is in nursing service as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
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