Marine who dived on grenade to be honoured

LONDON (Reuters) - A marine who survived after diving on a live grenade to shield his comrades while on a mission in Afghanistan is to receive Britain's highest bravery award, the Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday.

Lance-Corporal Matthew Croucher, 24, a Royal Marine reservist, threw himself on the grenade after he triggered a booby trap while moving through a compound where Taliban fighters were suspected of making bombs.

Despite the lack of regard for his own safety, Croucher was left almost unscathed after his body armour and rucksack absorbed the explosion.

"I looked down and saw this trip wire on my shins. As I looked to the left the grenade fell on the floor next to me," he told Sky News.

"I turned round to the lads and shouted 'grenade, take cover, and then dropped to the floor to put my body armour towards the grenade to give myself the best chance. There wasn't too much going through my head apart from 'Oh no'."

Military chiefs said his actions had saved the lives of two colleagues or at least spared them serious injury. After the incident, Croucher and his team continued with their mission.

He is now due receive the George Cross, awarded for "acts of the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger", from Queen Elizabeth later this year.

"He acted to save his comrades in the almost certain knowledge that he would not himself survive," said Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup.

"His exemplary behaviour and supreme heroism are fully deserving of the nation's highest recognition."

(Reporting by Michael Holden)