Birmingham hero soldier sacked while on sick leave

Apr 12 2009 by Nick McCarthy, Sunday Mercury

Cleared

“I need to find work now, but people put my name through the internet and find out that I was accused in this case. Everybody just assumes that I was involved because of all the press coverage at the time, but nobody reported that I was cleared.’’

Cpl Clemie was mentioned in despatches for gallantry in September 2005. He helped avert disaster in Basra when his squad came under fire one evening near to an area called ‘Cigar Island’ in the north-west of the city.

The brave Midland soldier moved forward with a colleague and used night vision to find that the firing was coming from men wearing Iraqi police body armour.

He quickly called a ceasefire and informed the patrol that they were exchanging fire with friendly forces.

Cpl Clemie was also praised by Major Montheim MBE soon after receiving the award. The major, second in command of the battalion at the time, said: “He is an intelligent, loyal and a self-motivated man who has given 13 years of outstanding service to the British Army.

“The loss of a man of such intelligence, experience and quality will be a blow to the Regiment and the Army.”

But after being contacted by the Sunday Mercury about the case the Ministry of Defence launched an investigation – and put the £8,000 repayment claim on hold.

A spokeswoman said: “We are looking into this matter and no action will be taken to recover any possible overpayment while this investigation is taking place.”