b. 1983 Bristol, Avon.
DATE OF CGC CITATION: 24/05/2011 Tabila Village, Afghanistan.
Deacon D Cutterham CGC
Deacon Cutterham joined ‘the British Army on the 9th January 2000 at the age of 16 – It was his childhood dream to be a soldier and he counted down the days until my 16th birthday when he could finally sign up. His journey began at the Army Foundation College Harrogate (AFC). His intake started with 105 recruits, the course lasted almost a year and was tremendously challenging, both physically and mentally, by the end of the course there were only 23 of the recruits left. Before Deacon started basic-training his father took him to the train station and said ‘This will be the hardest but the most fulfilling thing you will ever do’ – and he was right!
Cutterham carried out training at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick, and was posted to The Royal Gloucester, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry. In his second year at Battalion he deployed to Northern Ireland on Operation BANNER. Cutterham passed a Non Commissioned Officer cadre in order to become a Lance Corporal in 2004. He then almost immediately completed the Section Commanders Battle Course. On this arduous course he performed so well that he received a recommendation to return as an instructor. Cutterham only remained a Lance Corporal for a year, promoted to Corporal the following year – described as a ‘remarkable feat’ in his Certificate of Service.
Cutterham took the Commando Course in 2006. The following year Cutterham deployed with the 1st Battalion, The Rifles to Iraq on Operation TELIC, and then almost immediately to Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK. As a section commander on these two operational tours he was at the very front edge of the action, leading a section of around 8 men into combat. During deployment, Cutterham was selected to take the Platoon Sergeants Battle Course (PSBC).
Cutterham returned for his second tour of Afghanistan in 2011. On 24th May 2011, in Tabila Village, Afghanistan, Deacon would perform the act of gallantry which would lead to the award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. During an ambush, a grenade fell into the middle of Cutterham and his men. Deacon stated what happened next “It was then I heard a familiar ‘ping’ noise and knew exactly what it was, I looked up and in slow motion I could see a hand grenade which had been thrown from the other-side of the wall and landed roughly a metre in front of me. I liken the sensation to a wasp flying down your top and you can’t move quick enough to get that t-shirt off – only if the grenade explorss, it’s not just a sting, it’s the life of me and my team.”
Having run towards the grenade, picked it up and thrown it away all in a matter of seconds Cutterham then proceeded to extract his men from the killing zone without sustaining casualties. Cutterham was to have another brush with explosives later in the same tour – when resupplying Check Point Anar: ‘I hated doing this as there was only one route to take and resupply could only be achieved by the use of Bergan’s and quad bikes, this meant that we had to use a long, windy lane which had high walls and so it was impossible to isolate and make clear of danger.’
Once again, he was set up for ambush and only survived by the skin of his teeth: ‘Shortly afterwards the Taliban detonated three command wire IEDs in the lane blowing me and my lead scout approximately 3 metres in the air and 15 metres backwards. The explosion was so powerful that it made me spit out blood, I can still see my lead scout flying towards me in slow motion and me flying backwards.’
Having completed his tour, Cutterham returned to the UK and in 2012 had his summer leave cancelled at zero notice, and was instead tasked to Operation OLYMPIC, the military assistance provided to G4S to ensure the security of the London 2012 Olympic Games. He was tasked with recruiting members of the public for security duties at the O2 arena. Cutterham’s own sporting prowess came to the fore three years later when he represented the British Army at the highest level in competitive road and track cycling both at National and Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) level.
Cutterham also competed in triathlons and marathons for the British Army, having previously competed for the Junior Great British Cross Country Ski Team. He also attempted the selection course for 22nd Special Air Service (SAS), before being posted to train new recruits at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick. Cutterham advanced to Colour Sergeant in 2016, and his final posting was to the 5th Battalion, The Rifles. On 14th November 2020, Deacon sold his CGC medal group at Noonans in Mayfair, London for a hammer price of £140,000.
CGC CITATION:
In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1st April 2011 to 30th September 2011.
The original recommendation states:
‘Conspicuous Gallantry Cross in recognition of your singular courage during Operation HERRICK 14.
When your patrol was ambushed on 24 May 2011 you reacted instinctively and without hesitation to protect the lives of your men. Demonstrating the utmost bravery and a selfless disregard for your own safety, you took the conscious decision to run towards and pick up an accurately thrown grenade that had landed in an irrigation channel where your patrol was manoeuvring. Your cool composure and clarity of thought in throwing the grenade into the next ditch minimised the risks of airborne detonation and prevented serious injury. Your gallant and inspirational leadership made a telling contribution to sustained success throughout a demanding tour, upholding the fine reputation of your Regiment.’
LOCATION OF MEDAL: PRIVATELY OWNED.
