'Extraordinary' hero's George Cross

2:24am Thursday 24th July 2008

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A Royal Marine receiving the George Cross for throwing himself on a grenade has been hailed as the most "extraordinary hero" by the head of the British armed forces.

Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher, 24, from Solihull, Birmingham, is to become one of just 20 living recipients of the award, which ranks alongside the Victoria Cross as the highest decoration for bravery.

Paying tribute to him, Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup said: "He acted to save his comrades in the most certain knowledge that he would not himself survive. His exemplary behaviour and extreme heroism are fully deserving of the nation's highest recognition."

And L/Cpl Croucher, who escaped with just a nosebleed, said he would "definitely do it again".

He said he believed he was going to die at least 12 times during his service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

L/Cpl Croucher initially jumped on his front when he triggered a trip wire during a mission in Helmand province.

He said: "But I knew I would definitely die, I had to flip on to my back."

L/Cpl Croucher, a bachelor whose father and grandparents were in the armed forces, added: "Of course I would do this again - I believed I was going to die on many other occasions, probably at least 12."

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