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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Marine honoured with George Cross | Marine honoured with George Cross |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| A Royal Marine reservist who shielded his comrades from a grenade blast in Afghanistan has been awarded the George Cross by the Queen. | A Royal Marine reservist who shielded his comrades from a grenade blast in Afghanistan has been awarded the George Cross by the Queen. |
| Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher, 24, of Solihull, West Midlands, lay in front of the grenade after walking into a trip wire in Helmand Province. | Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher, 24, of Solihull, West Midlands, lay in front of the grenade after walking into a trip wire in Helmand Province. |
| His rucksack took the brunt of the blast and he suffered severe bruising. | His rucksack took the brunt of the blast and he suffered severe bruising. |
| He is among eight Royal Marines based at 40 Commando in Taunton, Somerset, to be honoured. | He is among eight Royal Marines based at 40 Commando in Taunton, Somerset, to be honoured. |
| The marines collected their medals from the Queen at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace earlier. | The marines collected their medals from the Queen at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace earlier. |
| 'Huge honour' | 'Huge honour' |
| The George Cross is awarded only rarely for "acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger". | The George Cross is awarded only rarely for "acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger". |
| L/Cpl Croucher had been on patrol on 9 February with 40 Commando Royal Marines. | L/Cpl Croucher had been on patrol on 9 February with 40 Commando Royal Marines. |
| His reconnaissance force had been investigating a Taliban compound where they suspected bombs were being made. | His reconnaissance force had been investigating a Taliban compound where they suspected bombs were being made. |
| He felt himself walk into a tripwire which pulled the pin out of a grenade. | He felt himself walk into a tripwire which pulled the pin out of a grenade. |
| He said earlier this year: "I thought 'I'm going to get gravely injured whatever I do so I might as well jump in front of the grenade and try to save the lads'. | |
| "Being awarded the George Cross is a huge honour, for me and for 40 Commando. | "Being awarded the George Cross is a huge honour, for me and for 40 Commando. |
| "But there are so many acts of bravery by the lads that don't make it into the press. | "But there are so many acts of bravery by the lads that don't make it into the press. |
| "It's all part of the job - they would have done the same. You just do it." | "It's all part of the job - they would have done the same. You just do it." |
| L/Cpl Croucher served as a regular Royal Marine for five years, including two tours of Iraq, before working as a director of a security company. | L/Cpl Croucher served as a regular Royal Marine for five years, including two tours of Iraq, before working as a director of a security company. |