BRAVE soldiers from the SAS based in Hereford who have won a host of gallantry awards for courageous service in Afghanistan are to stay silent heroes.

Their identities, and the military honours awarded to them, will remain a secret.

This week the Ministry of Defence published the names of 140 members of the Armed Forces honoured for their part in operations all over the world between last October and March this year.

Their names, rank and regiment or unit, together with their medal are listed.

Conspicuous by its absence is the name of 22 Special Air Service Regiment based at Credenhill.

The only clue to the contribution of SAS men in Afghanistan comes in a short paragraph at the end, which refers to additional awards for gallantry and distinguished service during the same October-March period.

They are one Distinguished Service Order, one Commander of the British Empire, four Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses, two George Medals, five Military Crosses, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, eight Mentioned in Despatches and eight Queen's Cross for Valiant Service.

The Hereford Times can establish that of these 34 some, but not all, have gone to SAS men. The rest are shared with other Special Forces units in the country.

The Ministry of Defence never comments on the role of Special Forces, never talks about the SAS and was not likely to name its heroes.

The Hereford Times has also consistently protected the identity of serving members of the locally-based SAS regiment.

Past honours

But after the Gulf War it was able to report that 30 men had been honoured for gallantry in action and another seven received special awards.

The SAS won more than any other regiment in relation to the number of men involved and this newspaper was able to tell the public which medals were awarded and the rank and squadron of those who received them. Similar information following this week's honours list is unobtainable.

The Ministry of Defence in London says only 'sorry we can't help', while at SAS HQ at Credenhill there is an embarrassed 'sorry, we can't either'.

Since the Gulf War and the publication of an array of books said to be based on regimental activities there has been a tightening up on information, with soldiers having to sign disclosure notices making the gleaning of information even more difficult.

But there is local speculation that a member of the regiment won the highest award, the DSO, and that four others are recipients of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. At least two in this group were wounded in action.

Not all the awards were given to men involved in front line action. Some went to those planning and administrating the SAS role in Afghanistan.

This week while other regiments are paying tribute to their men honoured for gallantry, it is anonymity as usual and getting on with the job for the SAS.

The community in Herefordshire might not have been told the names of those in their midst who won honours for bravery in the Afghan conflict but they can be assured that the regiment did all that was expected of it, maintaining its own fine traditions.