Sergeant Johnson Beharry VC

Beharry was formally invested with the Victoria Cross by Queen Elizabeth II on 27 April 2005 and is the first living recipient of the Victoria’s Cross in over 30 years. On 18 September 2005 Beharry obtained a publishing deal to write an autobiography of his experiences. His book, entitled Barefoot Soldier, was written in collaboration with Nick Cook.

Beharry was interviewed for the 2006 television docudrama Victoria Cross Heroes, which also included archive footage and dramatisations of his actions. He spoke out on BBC News, criticising the lack of support for ex-servicemen and women suffering from mental health problems, and revealing his own ongoing flashbacks and other symptoms. Johnson also works with Scotland Yard visiting young offender prisons inspiring them with his life story and encouraging them regain focus and aim for success.

He launched his new charity, The JBVC Foundation in 2014. Its mission is to help teen gang members immersed in the drug and gang culture to  the get the help they need to move on with a better quality of life and become mentors for younger gang members.