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 May issue of the magazine has four pages on the life and career of Colour Sergeant Alwyn Stevens CGC, who showed outstanding bravery while serving in Afghanistan.
Stevens, who was born and raised in the remote British Overseas Territory of St Helena, enlisted in the Army on October 18, 1999. Following basic training, he joined the Royal Irish Regiment and in 2006 he qualified as a sniper.
On September 12, 2008, while serving as a corporal, he performed remarkable acts of gallantry in Helmand Province that led to the award of the CGC. He displayed outstanding and prolonged bravery in a firefight with the Taliban.
At one point, he had a sudden engagement with eight Taliban who engaged with heavy small arms fire. Instinctively, Stevens charged the enemy, firing from the hip as he advanced. With his initial response, he killed two men, wounded another and forced the others to withdraw.
The citation for his Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) stated: “Stevens displayed extraordinary courage, selflessness and leadership. He personally engaged and killed several Taliban fighters and set conditions for the defeat of a strong enemy force.”
Stevens was discharged from the Army in October 2021 after 22 years’ service. Married with three children and aged 43, he now lives and works in Inverness, Scotland.
Lord Ashcroft’s articles for Britain at War over the past nine years have been largely based on excerpts from his seven books on gallantry: Victoria Cross Heroes, Special Forces Heroes, George Cross Heroes, Heroes of the Skies, Special Ops Heroes, Victoria Cross Heroes Volume II and Falklands War Heroes.
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 May issue of Britain at War which is on sale now.
“Stevens displayed extraordinary courage, selflessness and leadership. He personally engaged and killed several Taliban fighters and set conditions for the defeat of a strong enemy force.”
Citation for Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC)
