Who is Deacon Cutterham and why was he awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross?

DEACON Cutterham was a British soldier who fought in Afghanistan in 2011.

But who is he and why was he awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross?

Who is Deacon Cutterham?

Deacon Cutterham joined the Army at 16 and has served in Iraq and Afghanistan during his 19-year military career.

He served with 1st Battalion, The Rifles, and held the rank of Sergeant.

Why was he awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross?

Cutterham was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross - a medal one level down from the Victoria Cross - for picking up and throwing away a Taliban grenade in Afghanistan in 2011.

The action saved the lives of him and his men.

Describing the grenade incident in Nahr-e-Saraj District, he told the BBC in 2012: “Grenade came over the top.

“With that I shouted 'grenade' and then advanced on it, picked the grenade up and then posted it.

“It literally went off as soon as I pulled my hand away - and prevented me and my lead scout from getting serious injuries or death.

"I had seen exactly where it had landed but couldn't see it in the stream.

"I quickly placed my hand in the water to search for it and placed my hand directly on the grenade, shouted to take cover and posted it."

Why is it controversial?

Cutterham's heroic acts have been called into question by soldiers who served alongside him.

The people who served with him have questioned his account of what happened after he put his collection of seven medals up for sale.