Facts: - battles: war in afghanistan iraq war - allegiance: united kingdom - awards: george cross - birth date: 14 december 1983 - serviceyears: 2000 -- - name: matthew croucher - branch: 23px royal marines - unit: 40 commando - birth place: solihull , england - rank: lance corporal Based on these bullet points, write a short biography describing the life of matthew croucher .
lance corporal matthew croucher gc -lrb- born 14 december 1983 -rrb- 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 .