"I was just thinking about the guys in my vehicle and the guys behind me and my safety. So I just carried on." The words of Grenada-born British soldier Johnson Beharry, who is being awarded Britain's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, today. The citation describes not one, but two acts of extraordinary heroism by Private Beharry while he was serving in southern Iraq last year. He is still recovering from head injuries caused in one attack by a rocket-propelled grenade round. Family Pride Private Beharry’s moment of glory is also being celebrated by his relatives in Grenada. His sister Jill Beharry told BBC Caribbean radio: “The feeling is very nice. We are overjoyed. Speechless. "Everyone in Grenada is very proud of him.” She related that they also had anxious moments while he was on duty in Iraq. “He would email us and we would get news from his wife (in London). "He told us that it was matter of life and death and asked us to pray for him.” The former construction worker, who came to the UK in 1999 and joined the army in 2000, has also served tours in Northern Ireland and in Kosovo Private Beharry, from 1st Battalion the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, said he was "speechless" when told he was winning the VC. "Maybe I was brave, I don't know. I think anyone else could do the same thing," he said. Mr Beharry is one of only 13 recipients of the award still alive. "I want to return to service, but I don't know when that will be and I would go back to Iraq if I had to." Chief of the UK's Defence Staff Sir Mike Jackson said: "His citation is an extraordinary story of one man's courage in the way he risked his life for his colleagues, not once, but twice. "We all know that the Victoria Cross is held in such high regard in our country and any holder of it is rightly given enormous respect for what he has done." Pte Beharry receives the Victoria Cross for two separate acts of outstanding gallantry of the highest order whilst based in Al Amarah, Maysan Province, Iraq, in 2004. In the first incident on May 1 2004, Pte Beharry was driving the Platoon Commander's Warrior armoured vehicle that had been called to the assistance of a foot patrol caught in a series of ambushes. The Warrior vehicle was hit by multiple rocket propelled grenades, causing damage and resulting in the loss of radio communications. The platoon commander, the vehicle's gunner and a number of other soldiers in the vehicle were injured. Pte Beharry showed initiative and great courage driving through the ambush, taking his own crew and leading five other Warriors to safety. He then demonstrated outstanding bravery by extracting his wounded colleagues from the vehicle, all the time exposed to further enemy fire. He is cited on this occasion for "valour of the highest order". Whilst back on duty on June 11, 2004, Pte Beharry was again driving the lead Warrior vehicle of his platoon through Al Amarah when this vehicle was ambushed. A rocket propelled grenade hit the vehicle and Pte Beharry received serious head injuries. Other rockets hit the vehicle incapacitating his commander and injuring several of the crew. Despite his very serious injuries, from which he is still recovering, Pte Beharry showed great strength of character, taking control of his vehicle and driving it out of the ambush area before losing consciousness. His citation reads "For his repeated extreme gallantry and unquestioned valour, despite intense direct attacks, personal injury and damage to his vehicle in the face of relentless enemy action, Private Beharry deserves the highest possible recognition". The Press Conference in recognition of Pte Beharry and several of his colleagues was held today March 17 2005 at the Ministry of Defence, Whitehall, London. Ms. Michelle Lawrence, Attaché at the High Commission for Grenada attended the conference and stated "Today is indeed a proud day for Grenada as one of our Nationals have been recognised from such bravery under exceptional circumstances." Sources: High Commission for Grenada, London and BBCCARIBBEAN.COM