Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.
The September issue of the magazine has four pages on the life and career of Lance-Corporal of Horse Christopher Finney, who was just eighteen years old when he took part in a dramatic battlefield action for which he would become the youngest serviceman to receive the George Cross (GC).
Furthermore, Finney is also believed to be the only serviceman to receive this prestigious gallantry medal as a result of a “friendly fire” incident – what the military call a “blue on blue” attack.
Finney, who was born in Brussels but brought up in Manchester and, later, Dorset, joined the Household Cavalry – the Blues and Royals – in January 2002.
His GC action took place in Iraq on March 28 2003 when he showed relentless bravery, including saving an injured comrade, in the wake of Allied air attack in which US aircraft had mistaken the British force for the enemy.
Finney, who was himself was injured in the attack, was awarded the GC on October 31 2003 when his citation praised him for his “complete disregard for his own safety”. He left the Army in 2009 and now runs two garden centres in Cornwall with his wife, Liz. The couple have three daughters.
Lord Ashcroft’s articles for Britain at War over the past six years have been largely based on excerpts from his six books on gallantry: Victoria Cross Heroes, Special Forces Heroes, George Cross Heroes, Heroes of the Skies, Special Ops Heroes and Victoria Cross Heroes Volume II.
Lord Ashcroft is a military historian who has lectured extensively on courage and his various medal collections.
- Lord Ashcroft’s latest article appears in the September issue of Britain at War which is on sale now.
