Royal Marine selling Afghanistan and Iraq medals to buy his family a home

A Royal Marine is putting a rare group of medals, and the memorabilia that goes with them, up for auction in order to raise enough money to buy his family a house.

Warrant Officer 2 John Thompson's medals are a testament to his bravery under enemy fire – saving the lives of comrades on more than one occasion.

Included in the collection is the rare Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC), awarded for his service in defeating a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan.

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The medals are particularly special because they make up a double gallantry medal group and also include a Mention in Dispatches for bravery in Iraq.

Along with the medals, the auction lot includes other memorabilia including citations, a war artist's impression of the ambush, a portrait of WO2 Thompson and a gift from former US President George Bush.

The medals go under the hammer at Dix Noonan Webb auctioneers on 8 December.