A former Royal Marines commando from the North East is to sell his gallantry medal to launch his bid to create a retreat which will use the power of nature to help armed forces veterans.
Brad Malone, whose nickname was Bugsy, was born and bred in Seaton Delaval in Northumberland. He was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross – the second highest British military honour - for his bravery during a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Now the medal, which was introduced in 1993 as part of a drive to remove distinctions of rank in bravery awards, will be sold on July 26 by London auctioneers Noonans, with an estimate of £100,000-£140,000. Brad, 37, who left the Royal Marines in 2018 after 16 years, hopes the sale will be the first step towards his aim of buying land near his current home close to Loch Lomond in Scotland, where he wants to set up an eco-retreat called Sacred Laoch, which would benefit service personnel and other groups.
