A YOUNG Guernseyman has been hailed a hero for his role in Iraq. The 19-year-old was one of five soldiers from the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment who launched the first British Army bayonet charge since the Falklands War, routing more than 100 Iraqi rebels.

John-Claude Fowler helped come to the rescue of ambushed comrades, saving their lives in a bloody four-hour battle.

When the dust settled, at least 28 of the enemy lay dead with the same number dragged away by surviving rebels.

The men travelled in Warrior armoured vehicles to the scene, where two Land Rovers were pinned down by machine-gun fire. When they arrived they, too, were targeted by enemy fire, which included rocket-propelled grenades, so dismounted and attacked on foot.

Private Fowler’s grandfather Claude Way read about the charge yesterday morning in The Sun, the first he had heard of it.

Mr Way has been proud of John-Claude since he joined the Army aged 16 and he attended his passing-out parade. Yesterday, he said his grandson was a hero.

‘I was a bit concerned about him but I’m very proud of him, particularly to be mentioned in a national newspaper,’ he said.

‘The only news we had of this was from The Sun; he is very limited in what he can say. After the battle, he phoned and said ﾓGrandpa, don’t worry, I’m all rightﾔ.

‘We couldn’t understand what it was all about, but now we know.’

Colonel Richard Graham, aide-de-camp to Lt-Governor Sir John Foley, is a former member of the same regiment, nicknamed The Tigers, and was delighted to hear of Pte Fowler’s heroism.

‘The current crop of officers and soldiers is as good as they have ever been. Certainly, I’m aware the battalion of my regiment that was out there was under attack almost daily for the last few months.

‘It’s a war that’s going on that we don’t hear reported first-hand very often. I happen to know that it is quite hairy out there at the moment. I’m delighted to hear five soldiers have done something that sounds wonderful.

‘Bayonets don’t often get used for charging with, but the British infantry still practises with them. You never know when you are going to need it.’

Jenny Tasker was head teacher of La Mare de Carteret Secondary School, which Mr Fowler attended.

‘He’s done so well since he joined up,’ said Mrs Tasker. ‘I’m very pleased to hear that he is continuing to do well in his career in the Army.

‘That was something he had wanted to do and we always try to encourage students in what they want to do.

‘I saw his father recently and he told me how well he had done. I was very pleased to find that he had been able to carry on with his ambition. He was always a very cheerful, friendly cove. He always had a wide circle of friends.’