British Heritage
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Johnson Beharry
A Modern Hero of British Heritage.
Johnson Gideon Beharry, VC, COG, born on the 26th of July, 1979, is a laudable figure in the annals of British history. Through his unwavering bravery and dedication, he has left an indelible mark on the British military heritage. As a Grenadian-born soldier who became a highly decorated member of the British Army, Beharry's story of valour and survival resonates with the ethos of courage, commitment, and duty that is foundational to British military tradition. His remarkable journey from Grenada to the battlefield of Iraq, where he displayed exemplary courage and devotion, earned him the Victoria Cross - the highest military honour of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. The following exploration delves into the details of Beharry's life, his military career, and the lasting legacy he has contributed to British heritage.
Beharry’s origins can be traced back to the Caribbean nation of Grenada, where he was born into a large family with seven siblings. His cultural background is a rich tapestry of African and Indian descent, an emblem of Grenada's own diverse history. The anglicised version of his surname, originally "Bihari", indicates the Indian origin of his forebears who were indentured labourers transported from Bihar, India, to the Caribbean.
In 1999, Beharry moved to the United Kingdom, a significant turning point in his life that eventually led him to join the British Army. Like many service members, his personal life faced challenges due to his military duties. He was divorced from his first wife, Lynthia, also from Grenada, with the trauma of war experiences impacting their relationship. However, Beharry found happiness in a second marriage to Mallissa Venice Noel, with whom he now shares two children. Outside of his family life, Beharry is also known to be a Freemason.
Enlisting in the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment in August 2001, Beharry embarked on a military journey that would lead him through various challenging terrains, from Kosovo and Northern Ireland to the war-stricken streets of Iraq. Despite a brief tenure in Northern Ireland during the firefighters' strike where he manned a fire tender, it was in Iraq where Beharry’s story of exceptional heroism unfolded.
Driving a Warrior Tracked Armoured Vehicle on 1 May 2004, Beharry demonstrated unparalleled courage during an ambush. With his vehicle hit by multiple rocket-propelled grenades, Beharry exposed himself to intense enemy fire to steer his crippled vehicle through the combat zone, leading five other Warriors to safety. He risked his life to extract his wounded comrades from the vehicle, displaying what his citation would later describe as "valour of the highest order".
Not long after, on 11 June 2004, Beharry was again confronted with the harsh realities of war. Driving through Al Amarah, his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade just six inches from his head. Despite suffering life-threatening injuries, Beharry managed to navigate his vehicle out of the ambush area before losing consciousness. He was later awarded the Victoria Cross while still in recovery from his injuries, including brain surgery.
With the award of the Victoria Cross, Beharry became the first living recipient since 1965 and the first in over 30 years. This feat is particularly notable, as he was one of only ten living recipients of the Victoria Cross at the time of his award.
However, Beharry's legacy extends beyond his military achievements. His injuries left him unable to continue active service, yet he remained connected to the military, serving in a public relations role within the Household Division and eventually achieving the rank of Colour Sergeant in 2021.
Off the battlefield, Beharry has made substantial contributions to British society. He has become a vocal advocate for mental health, sharing his own struggles with depression and PTSD, thereby destigmatising mental health issues among veterans. His attempted suicide in 2008 highlights the often overlooked psychological struggles that war veterans endure, and his subsequent advocacy work has helped to bring these important issues to the forefront of public awareness.
His charitable foundation, the JBVC Foundation, actively supports youths in escaping gang culture and aids in the rehabilitation of former offenders, providing training and sustainable employment opportunities.
In addition to his commendable work on and off the battlefield, Beharry's story has been immortalised in media and literature. He inked a publishing deal in 2005 to write an autobiography, "Barefoot Soldier", providing a first-hand account of his experiences. His story was also featured in the 2006 television docudrama "Victoria Cross Heroes".
While his planned 90-minute drama with the BBC was cancelled, Beharry remained a constant presence in the media, appearing in several shows such as Dancing on Ice and the BBC Cookery show Great British Menu. He consistently used these platforms to advocate for better support for ex-servicemen and women dealing with mental health issues.
The story of Johnson Gideon Beharry exemplifies bravery, resilience, and selfless service. His journey from Grenada to becoming a decorated British Army soldier illustrates the diverse heritage of the United Kingdom, while his heroic acts and lifelong dedication to service have made him an emblem of British military heritage. Beyond his military accolades, Beharry's unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy and societal contributions have cemented his legacy within the broader fabric of British heritage. His life, as an immigrant, soldier, hero, and advocate, embodies the values of resilience, duty, and public service that are central to British identity.
The Soldier’s Roots
Beharry’s origins can be traced back to the Caribbean nation of Grenada, where he was born into a large family with seven siblings. His cultural background is a rich tapestry of African and Indian descent, an emblem of Grenada's own diverse history. The anglicised version of his surname, originally "Bihari", indicates the Indian origin of his forebears who were indentured labourers transported from Bihar, India, to the Caribbean.
In 1999, Beharry moved to the United Kingdom, a significant turning point in his life that eventually led him to join the British Army. Like many service members, his personal life faced challenges due to his military duties. He was divorced from his first wife, Lynthia, also from Grenada, with the trauma of war experiences impacting their relationship. However, Beharry found happiness in a second marriage to Mallissa Venice Noel, with whom he now shares two children. Outside of his family life, Beharry is also known to be a Freemason.
A Remarkable Military Career
Enlisting in the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment in August 2001, Beharry embarked on a military journey that would lead him through various challenging terrains, from Kosovo and Northern Ireland to the war-stricken streets of Iraq. Despite a brief tenure in Northern Ireland during the firefighters' strike where he manned a fire tender, it was in Iraq where Beharry’s story of exceptional heroism unfolded.
Driving a Warrior Tracked Armoured Vehicle on 1 May 2004, Beharry demonstrated unparalleled courage during an ambush. With his vehicle hit by multiple rocket-propelled grenades, Beharry exposed himself to intense enemy fire to steer his crippled vehicle through the combat zone, leading five other Warriors to safety. He risked his life to extract his wounded comrades from the vehicle, displaying what his citation would later describe as "valour of the highest order".
Not long after, on 11 June 2004, Beharry was again confronted with the harsh realities of war. Driving through Al Amarah, his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade just six inches from his head. Despite suffering life-threatening injuries, Beharry managed to navigate his vehicle out of the ambush area before losing consciousness. He was later awarded the Victoria Cross while still in recovery from his injuries, including brain surgery.
An Enduring Legacy
With the award of the Victoria Cross, Beharry became the first living recipient since 1965 and the first in over 30 years. This feat is particularly notable, as he was one of only ten living recipients of the Victoria Cross at the time of his award.
However, Beharry's legacy extends beyond his military achievements. His injuries left him unable to continue active service, yet he remained connected to the military, serving in a public relations role within the Household Division and eventually achieving the rank of Colour Sergeant in 2021.
Off the battlefield, Beharry has made substantial contributions to British society. He has become a vocal advocate for mental health, sharing his own struggles with depression and PTSD, thereby destigmatising mental health issues among veterans. His attempted suicide in 2008 highlights the often overlooked psychological struggles that war veterans endure, and his subsequent advocacy work has helped to bring these important issues to the forefront of public awareness.
His charitable foundation, the JBVC Foundation, actively supports youths in escaping gang culture and aids in the rehabilitation of former offenders, providing training and sustainable employment opportunities.
A Soldier's Story: Media and Literature
In addition to his commendable work on and off the battlefield, Beharry's story has been immortalised in media and literature. He inked a publishing deal in 2005 to write an autobiography, "Barefoot Soldier", providing a first-hand account of his experiences. His story was also featured in the 2006 television docudrama "Victoria Cross Heroes".
While his planned 90-minute drama with the BBC was cancelled, Beharry remained a constant presence in the media, appearing in several shows such as Dancing on Ice and the BBC Cookery show Great British Menu. He consistently used these platforms to advocate for better support for ex-servicemen and women dealing with mental health issues.
Conclusion
The story of Johnson Gideon Beharry exemplifies bravery, resilience, and selfless service. His journey from Grenada to becoming a decorated British Army soldier illustrates the diverse heritage of the United Kingdom, while his heroic acts and lifelong dedication to service have made him an emblem of British military heritage. Beyond his military accolades, Beharry's unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy and societal contributions have cemented his legacy within the broader fabric of British heritage. His life, as an immigrant, soldier, hero, and advocate, embodies the values of resilience, duty, and public service that are central to British identity.
- Johnson Beharryen.wikipedia.org
