A ROYAL Marine who saved the lives of colleagues during a fierce firefight in Afghanistan has been awarded the Military Cross, one of the highest awards for gallantry.

Warrant Officer Matthew Tomlinson was patrolling with the Armoured Support Group, part of 3 Commando Brigade, when the lead Viking vehicle was blown up by an improvised explosive device.

Ignoring incoming rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire, WO Tomlinson left his own Viking and ran more than 50 yards to the stricken vehicle which was on fire.

The 43-year-old officer helped rescue the seriously injured driver of the damaged Viking with the help of soldiers of the Queen's Royal Hussars.

As the fire spread, setting off ammunition inside the Viking, they continued to administer medical care to the driver using the vehicle as cover.

WO Tomlinson, from Street in Somerset, then further risked his life by searching for a Royal Marine who had been manning the gun turret on top of the damaged Viking.

He found the turret, which had been thrown some distance away by the explosion, with the Marine still inside but already dead.

Running back to the Viking, he directed return fire from supporting Welsh Guards towards the Taliban.

Then with help, he recovered both the driver and the turret gunner on stretchers to relative safety. The patrol then withdrew and the casualties were flown out.

WO Tomlinson said: "I am very proud and feel highly honoured to be recognised with the Military Cross. However, I must say that these were tragic circumstances.

"Also, I could not have acted with the confidence I did without the assurance that I had a top team behind me. I know that if my Viking had been hit, then I know the lads would have acted in exactly the same way.

"They were effectively a band of brothers because they worked so well together.

"I was in charge of their welfare, morale and fighting effectiveness for seven months and I am still very proud to have served with them.

"The ranks of the Armoured Support Group are the real heroes."

The Viking units act as independent patrols in their own right or escort other forces on patrol and deliver stores such as equipment, ammunition and water. They also carry out emergency evacuation of casualties.

WO Tomlinson is now serving with 1 Assault Group Royal Marines at Devonport, Plymouth, as a landing craft adviser to 300 Marines.

He has also served in Iraq, where he was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, Congo, Hong Kong, Zaire and French Guyana.

The father-of-three, who joined the Royal Marines in 1989, will receive his award at a later date.