Matthew Croucher

Matthew Croucher
Born	Solihull, England
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Marines
Years of service	2000–
Rank	Lance Corporal
Unit	40 Commando
Battles/wars	War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Awards	George Cross Iraq Medal Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Volunteer Reserves Service Medal

Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher, GC, VR (born in 1983) is a member of the Royal Marines Reserve and a recipient of the George Cross, the highest British and Commonwealth medal for gallantry not in the face of the enemy, for his extreme valour in risking his life to safeguard the lives of his comrades. The award was announced by the Ministry of Defence on 23 July 2008, and gazetted on 24 July 2008, with a lengthy citation.

Croucher was born in Solihull in the West Midlands in 1983 and attended Lyndon School.

Prior to joining the Royal Marines in November 2000, he was a member of 2030 (Elmdon & Yardley) Squadron Air Training Corps. He served three tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan. He was a member of 40 Commando from 2002 to 2005 and again from 2007 to 2008. The unit is based at Taunton in Somerset, and served in the Commando Reconnaissance Force. Before his Reserve Service, he was a member of the regular Corps of the Royal Marines.

On 9 November 2007 Croucher was credited with helping to save the life of a seriously wounded comrade who had been shot in the chest. Due to the intensity of the firefight, the company medical assistant was pinned down and could not help for over 20 minutes, during which time Croucher stabilised the casualty until he could be evacuated. Croucher himself was injured in a road accident during an operation the following week, and had to be returned to the United Kingdom for treatment on a suspected broken leg. After intensive physical therapy, he returned to Afghanistan in a matter of weeks to resume his duties.

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