Book puts soldier's heroics in spotlight; MARINE: City George Cross hero's autobiography recalls brushes with death.

Byline: Paul Bradley

THE death-defying story of Birmingham Marine Matt Croucher is being told in full with the publication of his autobiography. In February 2008, Lance Corporal Croucher, a Royal Marine with 40 Commando, accidentally activated a grenade while on patrol behind enemy lines.

His actions in the following five seconds saved the lives of three of his comrades and won him the George Cross.

L/Cpl Croucher's instincts kicked in and he dived on the grenade.

Miraculously, and against all odds, he survived as his back pack took the bulk of the blast.

Earlier this year, 25-year-old L/Cpl Croucher told the Birmingham Mail: "I looked down and saw the grenade and realised I had to do something quickly.

"I don't really remember thinking too much - it was pure instinct.

"I thought the best thing to do would be to lie down next to the grenade and provide a barrier between it and the other soldiers.

"I never thought that action would change my life so much.

"I'd like to think that I would do exactly the same thing if I was put in that position again.

"I was quite tight with those three lads and they had saved my bacon a few times."

The book, titled "Bullet Proof: One Marine's Ferocious Account of Close Combat Behind Enemy Lines" tells how L/Cpl Croucher defied death a total of six times during his tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.

It recounts the time he survived a roadside bomb as well as a rocket attack. Since his return from action he has backed the Birmingham Mail Badge of Honour campaign which gives members of the public the chance to nominate their local military heroes for a special award. He still trains at HMS Forward, Birmingham's Naval Reserve Base, in Small Heath.

CAPTION(S):

Instinct: L/Cpl Matthew Croucher with the backpack which took the brunt of the blast.