WOII Karl Ley GM

Warrant Officer Karl Ley, 30, was presented with the George Medal, Britain's second highest honour for valour when not in the presence of the enemy. He says that attending the high profile event was "far more terrifying" than his tour of duty in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province. Ley often defused roadside bombs without a protective suit or specialist robot. In a single 72-hour operation last year he deactivated 28 devices. Britain's defence ministry said Ley had defused more roadside bombs in a single tour than any other UK soldier.