Christopher Finney Lance - Corporal of Horse Christopher Finney ( born 23 May 1984 in Brussels , Belgium ) is a British soldier of the Blues and Royals awarded the George Cross for bravery under friendly fire during the 2003 invasion of Iraq . Finney grew up in Marple , near Stockport , before moving to Dorset and then joining the British Army in September 2000 . His first operational deployment came in the Iraq campaign . On 28 March 2003 the Scimitar armoured vehicle he was driving came under attack from a pair of American ground attack aircraft in a friendly fire incident . He rescued several of his comrades despite being hit by the attacking aircraft . For his valour he was awarded the GC — the highest award for acts of conspicuous gallantry performed when not in the face of the enemy , becoming the youngest serviceman in the British Armed Forces to receive it . Early life . Finney grew up in Marple , near Stockport , later moving to Wimborne , Dorset where he joined the Dorset Army Cadet Force at the age of 13 . Army career . He joined the Army in September 2000 , at the age of 15 years and 9 months . Initially he joined the Coldstream Guards before moving to the Blues and Royals after being persuaded by his Section Commander during his training . At the age of 16 he attended the a year - long course for junior soldiers attending the Army Foundation College in Harrogate . He joined up with the Household Cavalry Regiment at Windsor in January 2002 , after completing his initial training . Finney left the UK for Iraq , along with his squadron for his first operational deployment , in February 2003 . Iraq war and George Cross . On 28 March 2003 the Scimitar armoured vehicle he was driving near the Shatt al - Arab waterway north of Basra came under attack from a pair of American ground attack aircraft in a friendly fire incident . Finney escaped from the burning vehicle , but returned to it when he realised that his gunner was trapped in the turret and succeeded in rescuing him . Realising that his comrades were all injured , he returned to the vehicle a second time to inform his headquarters of the situation . He then proceeded to help the wounded gunner to safety even while the two aircraft carried out a second attack , hitting Finney in the lower back and legs . Finally , he returned to the scene of the attack a third time to attempt to rescue the injured driver of another burning vehicle . The citation concludes with : " During these attacks and their horrifying aftermath , Trooper Finney displayed clearheaded courage and devotion to his comrades which was out of all proportion to his age and experience . Acting with complete disregard for his own safety even when wounded , his bravery was of the highest order throughout . " On 31 October 2003 he was awarded the GC — the highest award for acts of conspicuous gallantry performed when not in the face of the enemy , becoming the youngest serviceman in the British Armed Forces to receive it , and only the 154th direct recipient since its inception in 1940 ( a number of recipients of other medals had their award converted to a GC ) . Lance - Corporal of Horse Mick Flynn , also of the Blues and Royals , was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for the same action . Sergeant Andrew Sindall of the Royal Engineers , who was attached to D Squadron , was awarded the Queen ' s Gallantry Medal . The award was made at Buckingham Palace on 25 February 2004 by Queen Elizabeth II . It had been suggested that Trooper Finney was to be nominated for the Victoria Cross , the highest military award of the British military , but the suggestion was rejected because the Victoria Cross is for acts of valour " in the face of the enemy " , and as Trooper Finney and his comrades were under attack from American forces , he did not qualify for the medal . Finney was awarded a special award at the Pride of Britain Awards in 2004 in recognition of his bravery . He also received an engraved gold watch from " the citizens of Marple " to congratulate him on his " deed of heroism " . After he returned from medical leave , Finney continued to serve in the army . He was promoted to Lance - Corporal of Horse . In January 2005 , he became part of the regimental information team that travels around the country at schools and recruiting fairs , attempting to recruit people into the army . Post Army career . Finney left the army in July 2009 as he had " simply fallen out of love with the Army . " He took a course in fibre optics and copper cable installation but was unable to find employment . He found work in a call centre in Poole , Dorset . After giving an interview in a national newspaper that criticised the Government and the situation he now found himself in , he was offered a job by Joe Calzaghe Enterprises as a corporate ambassador . He was employed to promote a testimonial dinner for the charity Help for Heroes . Finney lives with his fiancee , Liz , and their daughter in Cornwall where they run Goonhavern Garden Centre .