Harvey promoted for bravery under fire
Private Lennox Harvey, who was shot in his left eye by Linden London called 'Blackie' during the February 9, siege at the Toucan Guest House at Eccles, was yesterday promoted to the rank of Substantive Lance Corporal for his bravery under fire. Harvey's promotion took effect from March 1, 2000 and he was decorated with his new badge of honour by Captain Fitzroy Warde, officer in charge of the 31 Special Forces Squadron at Camp Ayanganna. According to Public Relation's Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Captain Wycliffe McAllister, Harvey actually received a double promotion, since his new position surpassed that of an acting Lance Corporal. Harvey, who had his eye and six ounces of dead brain tissue removed during an operation last month, said that the injury was not really affecting him at the moment. He said he doubted that his injury would hinder him in anyway in his line of duty. McAllister said that Harvey's situation would be monitored. He could not say at the moment whether the young soldier would be able to continue in the same line of duty he was used to. Questioned by reporters as to whether the army would make it possible for Harvey to be taken overseas for medical treatment if his injury warranted this, McAllister said he was certain that his superiors would see to it that the young soldier received whatever medical treatment was necessary. However, he said, it was hoped that Harvey, whose left eye is still bandaged, would not develop any other complications with his injury. In a release earlier this week from the GDF it was stated that after Harvey was transferred from the hospital to the GDF Medical Centre, Camp Ayanganna about two weeks ago, he apparently suffered a relapse and was readmitted to the hospital. It said that he had reportedly experienced pain in his head, but had since been returned to the medical centre. Harvey had been shot in the eye by London after he had succeeded in forcing open the door to the room in which London had been hiding at the Toucan Guest House.
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