Pte Bryan Johnson proposes to his girlfriend Kirstie Ward at Buckingham Palace (picture by John Stillwell/PA Wire)

by Martin Jefferies

A Kent-based soldier proposed to his girlfriend at Buckingham Palace just moments after receiving a medal for bravely rescuing a colleague in Afghanistan.

Pte Bryan Johnson, a soldier with the Canterbury-based Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, popped the question to Kirstie Ward yesterday.

Kirstie, 21, accepted and afterwards said she was "shocked and excited".

The couple had been at the palace to see Pte Johnson awarded the Military Cross.

The 24-year-old was given the honour after dragging his wounded colleague from a fire fight and delivering life-saving first aid.

They came under attack while chasing insurgents who had thrown grenades at his patrol.

After scrambling across a narrow footbridge over a canal and bursting through a compound door, the pair were confronted with two insurgents wielding AK-47 rifles.

When his colleague was shot and collapsed, Pte Johnson pulled him to cover. He then opened fire on the enemy, allowing his friend to be taken to safety.

Kirstie described her husband-to-be's bravery as "amazing".