VC hero to meet Queen | National News | Breaking National News in Australia

Samuel Cardwell | 7th November 2009

Mark Donaldson.

AUSTRALIA'S first Victoria Cross recipient in 40 years will meet the Queen next week in London as part of official Remembrance Day commemorations.

SAS Trooper Mark Donaldson was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), the military's highest honour, in September last year for acts of gallantry during his tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Whilst on patrol in the Southern Afghan province of Oruzgan, Trooper Donaldson's combined Afghan, United States and Australian convoy was ambushed by Taliban fighters.

During the fighting Trooper Donaldson repeatedly endangered his own safety in order to protect others including running nearly 100 metres under machine gun fire to rescue a wounded interpreter.

Trooper Donaldson, who is presently in the UK for Remembrance Day and to meet with other VC holders, will have a 15 minute audience with the Queen at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.

He is the first Australian to be awarded the VC since 1969 when Warrant Officer Keith Payne was decorated for gallantry during the Vietnam War.

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