Christopher Finney

Christopher Finney, GC (born 23 May 1984) is a former British soldier of the Blues and Royals who was awarded the George Cross for bravery under friendly fire during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Initially he joined the Coldstream Guards before moving to the Blues and Royals after being persuaded by his section commander during his training.

He then proceeded to help the wounded gunner to safety even while the two aircraft carried out a second attack, hitting Finney in the lower back and legs.

The citation concludes with: "During these attacks and their horrifying aftermath, Trooper Finney displayed clearheaded courage and devotion to his comrades which was out of all proportion to his age and experience.

Lance-Corporal of Horse Mick Flynn, also of the Blues and Royals, was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for the same action.

[2] Sergeant Andrew Sindall of the Royal Engineers, who was attached to D Squadron, was also awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal.

[4] It had been suggested that Trooper Finney was to be nominated for the Victoria Cross, the highest military award of the British military, but the suggestion was rejected because the Victoria Cross is for acts of valour "in the face of the enemy", and as Trooper Finney and his comrades were under attack from American forces, he did not qualify for the medal.

After giving an interview in a national newspaper that criticised the government and the situation he now found himself in, Finney was offered a job by Joe Calzaghe Enterprises as a corporate ambassador.