A British soldier, who saved the life of a Polish pizza delivery man wounded during the Real IRA attack on an army base in Northern Ireland, will be honoured by President Lech Kaczynski.
Twenty one year-old Sapper Marc Fitzpatrick, from Caerphily, Wales, is currently recovering from injuries sustained in the assault on soldiers at the British Massereene base, County Antrim.
“He demonstrated huge courage and saved the Poles’ life. The decision to honour the British army soldier has already been made. Now it is being decided whether he should receive the Order of Polonia Restituta or the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland,” informed head of the National Security Bureau, Aleksander Szczyglo, quoted in the Dziennik newspaper..
Two British soldiers died eleven days ago when they were fired upon when taking delivery of pizzas. As members of the Republican splinter group opened fire, Sapper Fitzpatrick managed to get into the pizza truck and pushed the 31-year-old Polish man under the steering wheel. He himself had been shot in the head and chest. His shattered wrist required a nine-hour-long surgery.
The funeral of one of the British soldiers takes place today.
The soldier could be distinguished by the Polish ambassador in Great Britain or – if he comes to Poland – could receive the order from President Kaczynski. However, for this to happen Queen Elizabeth II needs to give her consent. (pg/jm)