Major James Wadsworth MBE CGC, has served in the Army for 29 years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operator. He has completed multiple tours including, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He is honoured to have received the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for bravery in Iraq. Waddie was also awarded an MBE in 2019 for services to the armed forces and to military charities for whom, to date, he has raised nearly £100,000.
Waddie came to support Combat Stress through the charity’s inaugural Race to Remember ultramarathon, he completed the 76km race so quickly (in just 7 hours and 15 minutes) that he sparked a frantic dash for the team to set up the finish line!
He has since become an incredibly valued and tireless volunteer and Challenge Ambassador for Combat Stress, running webinars and providing support for participants of various events including the London Marathon. He has also arranged vital corporate introductions that have been invaluable to the charity’s fundraising and awareness raising efforts.
Together with his partner Steph, he took on Combat Stress’ D-Day 44 Challenge in June 2024, a 44-mile ultramarathon across the Normandy beaches to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. His enthusiasm and support to the charity continues to be unwavering and we are incredibly grateful to him.
Proud Dad
Waddie is a proud and supportive father to his 14-year old son, Toby. He has a very close relationship with him and strives every day to set him a good example, endeavouring to make Toby proud.
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Previous challenges
Awards
Conspicuous Gallantry Cross
2008
In 2008, Waddie was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, the second highest military decoration of the British Armed Forces, for extraordinary, selfless courage while serving as a bomb disposal expert in Iraq. He successfully defused by hand, and recovered the largest roadside bomb ever found in southern Iraq - while his fellow-soldiers fought a gun battle against local insurgents trying to overrun the site. The massive bomb containing around 120lb of explosives was spotted buried beneath a pavement opposite a hospital in the centre of Basra, ready to flatten the area and cause untold carnage when a British convoy passed. "Normally you would spend three or four hours dealing with a device like that but we were under fire in the city centre. The greatest danger is spending time on the ground. I made it safe in 27 minutes. We only realised how big it was when we came to move it. I remember it was 55 degrees in the shade. Our unit was so busy we hadn't slept for days." His extraordinary, selfless courage saved a nearby hospital and prevented potentially severe and untold consequences.
MBE
2019
Waddie was honoured and grateful to appear on the New Year’s Honours list 2019. He was awarded an MBE in recognition of both his role in the military and his charitable work. "I am so honoured to have been recognised and hope to achieve so much more in the future to help those who have served in the Army. I have dedicated my life to my country and work tirelessly to raise money for those who need it most, and don’t expect anything in return, so I’m privileged to be receiving an MBE”.
Combat Stress Extra Mile Award
In 2024 Combat Stress were proud to give Waddie an Extra Mile Award for his role in helping the charity.
On his award, Major Wadsworth said:” ‘I am incredibly honoured to receive this award, but being recognised in this way is never at the forefront of your mind. My sole focus is on supporting the incredible and vital work of Combat Stress, and I only wish I could do more.
“I have lost two friends to PTSD, and many more deal with mental health issues every day. I give thanks for the award but I thank Combat Stress for helping my friends, in their hour of need, so much more. I will always be indebted to the charity, and all the amazing people that make it possible. I salute you”.
