Marines are honoured for bravery

Royal Marines from 40 Commando in Taunton in Somerset have been honoured for their bravery in Afghanistan.

The eight marines returned from a six-month tour of Helmand Province in April where they were training local police and rebuilding communities.

One of the marines is Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher who received the George Cross for saving his comrades lives by throwing himself on a grenade.

They will receive the awards in October at Buckingham Palace.

'Executing young boys'

There were 600 marines taking part in the tour and eight individuals were picked for the awards.

Major Dan Cheeseman, from Salisbury, who will receive an MBE said: " It's very nice to be marked out individually but I certainly will be wearing mine with respect and honour of the rest of the men of Bravo Company."

Major Cheeseman was made an MBE for defeating the Taleban on the battlefield and working on reconstruction projects to improve the local communities.

He said: "We fought the Taleban back - so we did a lot of fighting.

"We spent $10m US dollars (£5m) on reconstruction projects - built roads, opened clinics and opened schools.

"When we arrived the Taleban were executing young boys - hanging them and burning them at the same time. We couldn't buy a flag as there was too much intimidation.

"At the end of it, 200 Afghan flags were flying in the town. The kids were running around saying 'good morning, hello, goodbye'. There were big smiles on their faces and ours."

Warrant officer, David Layton, who was mentioned in dispatches, said: "I don't think bravery is the right word. You're just doing a job and it's something that needs doing. People are relying on you."

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