Corporal Croucher,I made a comment early on, about you being a credit to your Marine Corps, I should have said, you are a credit to OUR Marine Corps. This country owes a lot to our Marines. Again "Royal" well done, and THANK YOU for your service.

Ian Campbell, Southsea, Hants

hey dude way to go man! now chill. you've earned it.

mike, Nashville, TN, USA

What a superb man, prepared to lay down his life for his friends a much braver act than those losers who commit suicide and kill innocents most of the time.

Tony, Worthing ,

God Bless You

Joe, Stamford CT, USA

Every person in the U.K. should be very proud of you and your heroic act of valour. Thank you and God Bless.

Jackie , Isle of Skye

J. Middleton, Portree, U.K.

BZ Lance Corporal Croucher GC! Your humility and modesty in interviews are a credit to both you and the Royal Marines.

To answer the question "Why not VC?" - VC: outstanding bravery in the face of the enemy; GC - outstanding bravery not actually in the face of the enemy. A subtle difference.

Lester May, Camden Town, London, UK

'Hero' is a word so flippantly tossed around by the media but here is a true example of one.

Should never have to pay for a pint again.

We are all so proud of you.

Steven Ubsdell, Leicester, UK

Gallipolli...armed grenade fell back into trench.Scots soldier David Lauder stood on it....blown out of the trench badly injured into no-man's land.George Young climbed out of the trench and pulled Lauder back to safety.Lauder won VC and Young the MC.Young was my husband's grandfather.Such courage!

EBlair, Gourock, scotland

I am humbled in the face of such bravery. Congratulations Lance Corporal Croucher.

Chris, Derby,

Why not a Victoria Cross, or Is Afghanistan not a war? The George Cross was introduced, many years ago, mainly for civilians, but, also for soldiers not In the "front line", who perform extraordinary acts of heroism. VC awarded In Iraq recently.

michael patrick thomas, Brisbane., Australia

I would like to add my congratulations to you Lance Corporal Croucher, on the receipt of your richly deserved George Cross.

Malcolm Smith, London, Kent

That's gotta be worth a pint or two at your local . Outstanding !

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

Thanks to our American Allies for those nice comments. In a world where too many of us regard our 'soccer stars' as heroes and people / celebrities are after instant fame on programs such as Big Brother etc. This is a breath of fresh air.
Well done young man.

kirk, Rotherham, UK

Words cannot describe what you did for your fellow commrades, utterly unbelieveable. You are a credit to the armed forces and you should be extremely proud, as I know England will be.

Sarah, London,

Incredible story of courage. Brought a tear to my eye. With an act so brave you deserved the George Cross; more to the point, you deserved to survive the grenade. How wonderful that you did and can tell the tale to your grandchildren one day. My hat's off to you Corporal.

mick, london,

Lance Corporal Croucher, you Sir, are a credit to to your unit, the training you have received and your parents.

I and the rest of the UK hold you in the highest regard. Thank you for your service, professionalism and dedication.

Andrew Livesey, Happy Valley, Hong Kong

Lance Corporal Croucher, thank you for making us all so proud. I hope you live a long time to cherish the memory of your great deeds.

Mark, Solihull

Mark Sheasby, Solihull, United Kingdom

Good man, you are a credit to yourself, your unit and your family.

Best of luck with the future, you are a real hero.

S Pepper, newport, wales

The old joke about the US Marine seeing a Royal Marine in uniform and asking "what is the R.M. for on your uniform," to which the Royal replies "Real Marine" aptly apllies to Lance Corporal Croucher. He is a real Marine.

Dhobbs, Glendale, USA

George Cross or Victoria Cross.. Its time we started treating our heros as they rightly deserve..They should have a financial reward that ensures that they can live the rest of their days in comfort..tax free.. vat free..too many are reduced to selling their medals just to survive..

alan, llandybie, wales

Well done, "Royal". You are a credit to your Marine Corps.

Ian Campbell, Southsea, Hants

This man has rightly earned the respect and admiration of us all. It is also perhaps a lesson in what we are fighting against, men, women and even children who ferevently desire to die in battle or by suicide attack. This type of foe is never to be taken lightly, now or in the future.

Jarvis Dee, Wedmore, UK

Well deserved.
Thanks to all our Armed Forces personnel over there.

jim, London,

This is a real man doing a real man's job. What a difference between Matthew and some of those in the Navy who were captured by the Iranians awhile ago.
This is one of the few honours, of any kind, this government has given that is deserved.

P.Robinson, Northants,

Well deserved.
Thank you to all our Armed Forces over there.

jim, London,

This guy's an exemplary hero. This guy was in the line of fire with a weapon in hand and should be viewed as a VC recipient

Perhaps the MOD would care to begin providing our troops with a little more in the way of pay, protection and post traumatic care

Jim Townsall, Lowestoft, UK

How many of us would have made the split-second decision chosen by Lance Corporal Croucher? He deserves not only the George Cross; somebody should say a polite word to his parents.

Joe, New York, US

A fantastic bloke

David, Southampton, England

Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher, may our Heavenly Father Bless you a lot! You are truly a great soldier and you deserve more than the George Cross! Greater Love hath no man than one who is readily willing to give it all up for his mates! Hats off to you Sir!

Elias, Stevenage, UK

Well done. See you in September .

derek g kinne G.C., Tucson ARIZONA, U.S.A.

Lance Corporal Croucher is a credit to the Royal Marines, and a wonderful example of what Esprit de Corps actually means.

joseph , Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Lance Corporal Croucher, my husband and I are Official Greeters for the USMC, we are so thankful for men like you!
If you ever make it out to San Diego, look us up, it'd be our honor to meet you!

Semper Fi!

Joyce and Curtis Orrell

Joyce, Valley Center, CA, USA