I switched on the television news yesterday morning and caught the last part of an interview with a young army captain who had just been awarded the Military Cross for bravery in Afghanistan. The man was quite clearly a hero (the Military Cross is one of the country’s highest awards for gallantry) but, when lauded by the interviewer, the soldier modestly refused to be accepted as such.

Instead of describing the act of courage which led to the award he spoke instead of his pride in being part of a team of men all of whom, he inferred, would unthinkingly support their comrades in a similar manner, whatever the price. He spoke of loyalty, of duty, of honour and responsibility. Old-fashioned words and values, you may feel.

It was both humbling and heartening to listen to such a man. It was refreshing too, to be reminded that, in an age of largely negative news stories and constant disappointment in public figures, whether self-serving politicians or cheating multi-millionaire footballers, there are still some real heroes out there and true role models for our children.