Johnson Beharry VC

Hear from Colour Sergeant Johnson Beharry VC as he shares stories of his Army service and discusses his personal journey of recovery following injuries sustained in the line of duty. 

In 2004, while serving with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment in Iraq, Johnson Beharry twice risked his life to save his crew and others during enemy ambushes. For these actions, he was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for gallantry in the British military. 

On both occasions, Beharry sustained injury. During the second ambush, a rocket-propelled grenade hit the front of his Warrior tank, exploding six inches from his head. Following the impact, he spent five weeks in a coma and underwent major brain surgery.

Eighteen years to the day since he was awarded the VC, Johnson Beharry will speak at the National Army Museum about his military service and his personal journey of recovery following the injuries that he sustained in action.

This talk is part of our all-day Military Medicine and Recovery spotlight event. Beharry’s story also features in our temporary exhibition Road to Recovery.

About Johnson Beharry

Colour Sergeant Johnson Beharry VC COG was born in Grenada in 1979. He joined the Army in 2001 and served on operational tours in Kosovo (2002) and Iraq (2004). He is the founder of the JBVC Foundation, which helps rehabilitate young offenders. He has also published an autobiography, 'Barefoot Soldier'.