Matthew Croucher

Matthew Croucher, (born 14 December 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.

Early life Croucher was born in Solihull in the West Midlands in 1983

Military career Prior to joining the Royal Marines in November 2000, 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.

Croucher was initially put forward for the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest decoration for valour in the British Armed Forces. Had he been awarded the Victoria Cross he would have been the first Royal Marine to receive the award since 1945 and only the second living British recipient in the 21st century. The George Cross (GC) is awarded for the same level of bravery expected of a VC but is awarded when no enemy is present. Croucher is one of only 11 living recipients of the medal, of which only 406 have been awarded.

Croucher was presented with the George Cross by Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace on 30 October 2008.

Civilian career Croucher is employed in the private security industry by the United Kingdom offices of Pinnacle Risk Management as Managing & Operations Director. He also works out of the offices in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

On 4 November 2023, Croucher was arrested in Dubai for spying and charged with "intentionally and illegally accessing a telecommunications network". Having initially been held in jail for four days, he was released under investigation; he had passport and phone confiscated, and was banned from leaving the United Arab Emirates. Within days of the June 2024 media coverage of his arrest, the case was dismissed as the "evidence was found to be inadequate" and he was free to leave the UAE.

Croucher received the Freedom of the Borough of Solihull on 16 December 2008.

Works Bulletproof, Century, 24 September 2009. Flash Point, Arrow Books, 2010, 90 Years of Heroes, Royal British Legion 90th Anniversary tribute, HarperCollins, 2011