Soldier’s medals could sell for up to £120,000

A soldier who was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for saving the lives of his men when he picked up and hurled away a Taliban grenade is selling his medal collection.

Deacon Cutterham had just five seconds to plunge his arm into murky d i t c h w a t e r, retrieve the highexplosive device and throw it to safety during a tour of Afghanistan in 2011.

Mr Cutterham, who was a Serjeant with the 1st Battalion the Rifles, is now selling the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross – one level down from the Victoria Cross – along with other medals he was awarded during his career.

His medal citation reads: “The action itself was utterly courageous, carried out with composure and clarity of thought. Cutterham’s gritty leadership and gallant act saved lives and inspired his men.”

The collection of seven medals is expected to fetch up to £ 120,000 when it is sold by Dix Noonan Webb on November 12.

Mr Cutterham, now aged 37 and from Bristol, joined the Army at 16 and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan during a 19-year military career.

The incident happened as Mr C u tt e r h a m and his patrol were wading through an irrigation ditch knee-deep in water when the grenade came flying over a high wall.

Mr Cutterham said: “The 19 years I served in the Army were the best of my life.

“I t ’s a fantastic organisation and I have a lot to be thankful to it for.”

Explaining why he is selling his medals, Mr Cutterham said: “My medals were hardearned and I will be investing the proceeds carefully to help ensure my future financial security.”