Army hero Gordon to pick up MBE

Dec 3 2010 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

Army hero Gordon to pick up MBE

HE MAY be about to pick up an MBE.

But Patna man Gordon Muirhead isn’t worried about meeting Royalty.

He said: “I’ve met Prince Charles a few times over the years and had a few dinners with him.”

For the retired Army Major has met Prince Charles countless times.

Gordon spent 28 years in the parachute regiment.

After a colourful career, Gordon has been awarded the honour for his service in Afghanistan in 2008.

He is one of 141 service personnel who have been granted state honours by the Queen in her annual Birthday honours list.

He will receive his medal at Buckingham Palace on December 9.

Gordon joined the army at the tender age of 16, straight after he left school.

Teenage Gordon signed up for The Parachute Regiment despite never stepping on an aeroplane before.

Amazingly, it wasn’t until his 17th flight that Gordon experienced landing in an aircraft – but he had grown used to jumping out of them.

Throughout his career, hero Gordon saw active service in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Macedonia and Belize to name a few.

And he also spent time in Canada, America, Belgium, France, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Guatemala and Kenya.

The dad-of-two said: “Afghanistan was the most dangerous of all. The guys are fighting a war out there. And it’s non-stop every day.”

Before retiring, Gordon spent two years in Sandhurst teaching future officers.

The 45-year-old now works in Iraq and Dubai for a private security firm.

He said: “Although Iraq is still dangerous it’s a lot quieter. It’s a breath of fresh air.

“I work with a lot of the guys I worked with in the Army so it’s been a nice transition to civvy street.”

And he isn’t the least bit nervous about picking up his honour.

Gordon, now lives in Harrogate with his wife Janice and daughters Victoria, 19, and Kerri, 16.