Watch clips from an intense three-hour battle in which VC recipient Daniel Keighran drew enemy fire to help injured soldiers.

WATCH dramatic footage from the Battle of Derapet, the three hour fire-fight that saw Corporal Daniel Keighran awarded with the Victoria Cross.

The footage, released by the Department of Defence, shows the troops taking cover and returning fire against Taliban forces.

Corporal Keighran was honoured today for his role in the gunfight, where he helped clear the way for the rescue of casualties.

During the battle between Australian and Afghan troops, he repeatedly broke cover to draw fire, allowing the enemy locations to be identified and neutralised.

In the citation it was noted the enemy fire was "accurate and intense". He repeatedly exposed himself to life-threatening gunfire coming from multiple directions.

On one occasion he moved from cover to draw fire away from a team that was treating a casualty, and then assisted in clearing the landing zone for an evacuation. The Australian and Afghan forces sustained no further injuries.

Speaking to Channel Nine soon after the battle, he said he had "no idea" how he avoided being shot.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross by Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

Ms Bryce described Corporal Keighran, who enlisted in 2000, as a man of profound physical and moral strength.

"A man selfless in the face of threat, courageous in the face of terror, generous in the face of suffering and humble in the face of an honour bestowed," she said.

Ms Bryce said there were other heroes on that day, but what he did was different.

After the ceremony, Corporal Keighran told of his "utter surprise" when he was told the Queen was awarding him the Victoria Cross.

He said he wouldn't be here today "if it wasn't for the boys that I served with".

"Acknowledging it here now does not diminish the efforts and sacrifices of those who fought beside you,'" she said.

"They need you to be here."

"Because by being here the story of that day is told and through it, their stories are told."