Karl Ley
Encyclopedia
Karl Ley is Class 2 Warrant Officer
in the British Army
and a bomb disposal
expert from the 11 EOD Regiment who was awarded the George Medal
for bomb disposal duties in Afghanistan
, where he defused more roadside IEDs than anyone else during his six month tour of duty.
, Ley is married and has three children. As a child, Ley attended the Ecclesfield School
.
in the Royal Logistic Corps
.
. During this period, Ley was a Staff Sergeant
engaged in Operation Moshtarak as part of the 15,000 troops involved in the operation. He was posted to the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Task Force, responsible for providng IEDD operations to the task force. During the operation, Ley was interviewed and commented that, "We were on MOSHTARAK before MOSHTARAK started. We had to make sure that the routes were clear of devices so that the infantry guys could pass through safely." Ley recovered 139 devices during his tour in Helmand Province
. This was "twice as many as any other bomb disposal expert." Ley was classified as a "high threat operator", once having to deactivate 42 bombs in a single village.
Upon his return from his tour of duty, Ley was awarded the George Medal on 24 September 2010 for "conspicuous gallantry whilst serving". The Medal was presented by Prince Charles on 17 December 2010. He also, along with his unit, received service medals from Tim Stevenson, the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire."
Warrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
and a bomb disposal
Bomb disposal
Bomb disposal is the process by which hazardous explosive devices are rendered safe. Bomb disposal is an all encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated functions in the following fields:*Military:...
expert from the 11 EOD Regiment who was awarded the George Medal
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
for bomb disposal duties in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, where he defused more roadside IEDs than anyone else during his six month tour of duty.
Personal life
Born in SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, Ley is married and has three children. As a child, Ley attended the Ecclesfield School
Ecclesfield School
Ecclesfield School is a secondary school situated on Chapeltown Road between Chapeltown and Ecclesfield, South Yorkshire in the East Ecclesfield district of Sheffield. It is in the Sheffield LEA, and is for ages 11–16. It has around 1,750 pupils.-History:It used to be known as Ecclesfield...
.
Early career
Ley joined the British Army as an Ammunition TechnicianAmmunition Technician
An Ammunition Technician is a British Army soldier trained to inspect, repair, test and store, and modify all ammunition and explosives used by the British Army...
in the Royal Logistic Corps
Royal Logistic Corps
The Royal Logistic Corps provides logistic support functions to the British Army. It is the largest Corps in the Army, comprising around 17% of its strength...
.
Afghanistan
Ley was sent on active service with the British Army in 2010 as part of the task force engaged on Operation HerrickOperation Herrick
Operation Herrick is the codename under which all British operations in the war in Afghanistan have been conducted since 2002. It consists of the British contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force and support to the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom...
. During this period, Ley was a Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
engaged in Operation Moshtarak as part of the 15,000 troops involved in the operation. He was posted to the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Task Force, responsible for providng IEDD operations to the task force. During the operation, Ley was interviewed and commented that, "We were on MOSHTARAK before MOSHTARAK started. We had to make sure that the routes were clear of devices so that the infantry guys could pass through safely." Ley recovered 139 devices during his tour in Helmand Province
Helmand Province
Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation....
. This was "twice as many as any other bomb disposal expert." Ley was classified as a "high threat operator", once having to deactivate 42 bombs in a single village.
Upon his return from his tour of duty, Ley was awarded the George Medal on 24 September 2010 for "conspicuous gallantry whilst serving". The Medal was presented by Prince Charles on 17 December 2010. He also, along with his unit, received service medals from Tim Stevenson, the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire."