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 April issue of the magazine has four pages on the life and career of Major Peter Norton, who was decorated with the George Cross (GC) for outstanding bravery in Iraq.
Norton, who was born in north London in late 1962 and adopted aged three months, joined the Army aged 20. He served as a bomb disposal expert in Iraq in 2005, two years after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
On July 24 2005, he was called to the scene of a huge explosion that had killed four American servicemen and injured others. Knowing of the dangers to his comrades, he examined the scene alone.
However, his left foot triggered a hidden second device, which exploded causing him massive injuries, including tearing off his left leg just above the knee. His left hand was so badly damaged that it was later amputated and he received many other serious injuries. Yet, even at the scene, he continued to give orders aimed at saving other lives.
Norton was awarded the GC in March 2006 for “outstanding bravery” and “professionalism” during his tour of duty. Today, aged 57 and having left the Army, he is chairman of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.
Lord Ashcroft’s articles for Britain at War over the past seven 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 April issue of Britain at War which is on sale now.
