WILLITON police officer David Masters spoke of his pride this week after watching his son receive the Military Cross from the Queen at Windsor Castle. Lance Corporal Wesley Masters was serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps in Afghanistan when he risked his own life to tend to a severely wounded colleague. The Military Cross is the third highest level of recognition for gallantry, leadership and bravery on active operations. David, who is the Williton beat manager, attended his son's investiture at Windsor Castle and said: "It was a fantastic day. I'm very proud of him. "To be awarded the Military Cross is something that is set in stone and will stay with him for life. "One day people will look back at what he, and others like him, did as we now look back at the heroes of the First World War and other conflicts." Wesley was battling insurgents in Afghanistan last July when the drama unfolded. Despite coming under heavy enemy fire, he sprinted 300 metres to help a soldier who had been shot in neck. The bullet narrowly missed the injured man's vital arteries but the force of the shot threw him off a compound roof. Wesley reacted instinctively and despite being directly targeted by gunfire - rounds were landing just four metres away from him - he managed to treat the soldier and stabilise him. The injured man was eventually evacuated, with Wesley escorting him under enemy fire to the helicopter. He then fought on for a further hour alongside his military colleagues. Speaking about how he learned of his son's actions, David said: "Wesley drip-fed details of the incident and at first just told us he'd been involved in an incident and he'd saved his best mate's life. "He wasn't specific about what happened and I was only told the full story when he returned from his tour of duty. "He knew it would have caused me even more worry and upset had I known about it while he was still in Afghanistan. "My initial reaction when I heard was a mixture of shock and pride, but now I'm just extremely proud of what he's done." Wesley's citation states: "Masters' immediate and selfless act in the face of sustained enemy fire was a display of impressive valour. "His gallantry was in the highest traditions of combat medic and is only surpassed by the cool headedness and professionalism he demonstrated treating his injured comrade: the margins for error were vast and the consequences could have been fatal." David added: "My son has a respect for what I do every day but he plays down his own role and views what he does as just another day of the office."