‘Rambo’ war veteran who rescued five injured soldiers to sell his bravery medal for £70k
A WAR hero whose rescue of five wounded soldiers while under fire in Afghanistan would have “left Rambo in the shade” is selling his rare bravery medal for £70,000.
Hero Bruce Toge saved five wounded soldiers from gunfire
“Superhuman” Lance Corporal Bruce Toge, 33, has now left the Army and wants to raise the money so he can start up his own business and support his family.
He won the medal for his actions in May 2008 when the Taliban attacked his armoured Warrior vehicle patrol with 10 rocket-propelled grenades.
Although he was stunned himself after the assault, he pulled a severely injured soldier out of the vehicle and gave him first aid.
He then found another four wounded soldiers on the ground nearby and single-handedly carried one after the other away from the area while being shot at.
Lance Corporal Bruce Toge's Gallantry Cross and his British Forces Identity Card
The men he rescued were members of the Afghan National Army, who he had to cajole and support throughout the action.
L/Cpl Toge was second-in-command of an eight-man British team who were there to mentor and support the Afghan troops.
He was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross – the second highest award for valour after the Victoria Cross – for his courageous action.
The citation he received reads: “His raw courage, inspirational leadership, tactical acumen and almost superhuman strength are most deserving of official recognition of the highest order.”
L/Cpl Toge’s CGC, awarded to him in 2008, is estimated to sell for £70,000 at Chaterhouse Auctioneers of Sherborne, Dorset, on March 19.
His actions on that day would have left the likes of Rambo and the Terminator in the shade
Richard Bromell, of Charterhouse, said: “Only 60 CGCs to date have been awarded so they rarely appear on the market and it is therefore a great honour to be instructed to sell such an important medal by the recipient.”
Richard Doherty, a military historian, said: “Bruce Toge is a man of great character and imposing physical appearance.
"His actions on that day would have left the likes of Rambo and the Terminator in the shade.”
L/Cpl Toge, who is from Fiji and now lives in Shropshire, served with the Royal Irish Regiment.