UK NEWS

HONOUR FOR MARINE WHO TOOK BLAST OF GRENADE

George Cross medal

Thursday July 24,2008

By Mark Reynolds

A ROYAL Marine is to receive the George Cross after throwing himself on an exploding grenade to save his comrades in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher dived on to the floor, rolled over and used his backpack to take the full force of the blast. He then had to wait an “agonising” five seconds for it to explode.

The 24-year-old bachelor was thrown through the air but suffered only a severe nose bleed. After the announcement of the award, Cpl Croucher said yesterday: “I’d definitely do it again.”

The George Cross ranks alongside the Victoria Cross as the highest decoration for acts of gallantry. The only difference is that the GC is awarded for acts not in the presence of the enemy.

I’d definitely do it again

Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher

The decoration, introduced during the Second World War, has been awarded 157 times, with 47 of those since 1947.

The reservist, who runs his own risk assessment business, told how he thought he was going to die 12 times during tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But it was while serving with the Commando Reconnaissance Force in Helmand Province in February, that he came closest to death after accidentally triggering a grenade.

He said: “I thought, ‘I’ve set the bloody thing off and I’m going to do whatever it takes to protect the others’.

I figured that if I could keep my head and torso intact I’d probably survive any other injuries although I fully expected to lose a limb.”

He said it took him 30 seconds to realise he was still alive. His comrades suffered cuts and bruises.

He was examined by a medic who recommended he should be evacuated, but he demanded to stay. Later that day he shot dead an insurgent.

Cpl Croucher from Solihull, Birmingham, will now receive the GC from the Queen in the autumn.

Sir Jock Stirrup, chief of the defence staff, said: “He acted to save his comrades in the almost certain knowledge that he would not himself survive. His exemplary behaviour and supreme heroism are fully deserving of the nation’s highest recognition.”