A BRAVE Royal Marine dodged Taliban bullets in a 40-metre sprint to help protect comrades.

John Kendrick was on foot heading towards a local mosque when his group was shot at by insurgents.

Marines and Afghan National Army members at the head of the patrol became segregated from the main group, making them easy targets.

Marine Kendrick, 25, said: “I spoke to my boss and said, ‘I’m going to close the gap and give them cover’.

“I had the fastest 40-metre dash of my life.

“I ran in a zig-zag to prevent myself from being shot.

“Once at the location, we spotted a hole in the neighbouring wall and targeted it with our weapons.”

The patrol group soon grouped together and carried onto the mosque to meet the local Mullah.

Marine Kendrick added: “The Mullah said he rarely has ISAF visitors because whenever they come this way, they’re targeted by insurgents.

“This is the most memorable thing that’s happened to me in the Royal Marines - helping my colleagues out of trouble and being thanked by the locals for caring.”

Marine Kendrick is looking forward to a rest and recuperation period next month, when he will spend time with his wife, Amber, and two-year old daughter, Lila, at home in Taunton.

Why not send a message of support to our Royal Marines in Afghanistan and their families at home - click on the Shoulder to Shoulder related link on this story.

And you can download our Shoulder to Shoulder poster to display in your window.