- Phil Ashby
Major Phil Ashby QGM (born 1970) is a former
Royal Marines Commando officer, notable for his escape and evasion in the jungles ofSierra Leone in 2000.He was brought up in
Helensburgh on the West Coast of Scotland and educated atGlenalmond College .Sponsored by the RM, he read engineering at Pembroke College, Cambridge.In January 2000, Ashby was deployed to
Sierra Leone as part of theUN peacekeeping force, tasked with disarming the rebel fighters. However, the situation became hostile and the house where Ashby and 3 other officers were staying was attacked. After a narrow escape, they sought refuge at the Kenyan army outpost where they helped defend the camp against several days of attacks. Eventually a decision was taken to escape through the jungle. Fighting dehydration and hunger, the 3 men survived close encounters with the enemy and, assisted by local tribesmen, were eventually rescued by the British Army. After returning, Ashby was awarded theQueen's Gallantry Medal .In September 2000, Ashby was to learn that he had contracted a virus (probably from drinking
contaminated water ); it had entered his spine and left himparalysed from the waist down, though he has since regained movement in his legs. Despite his disability he continues to enjoyrock climbing .His autobiography, entitled both "Unscathed: Escape from Sierra Leone" and "Against All Odds: Escape from Sierra Leone" was published in 2003. He has also written for other publications including "
The Sunday Times ", "The Daily Mail " and "The Lancet ".External links
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7458650.stm BBC article]
* [http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/spectrum.cfm?id=472162002 Scotsman article regarding his virus]
* [http://www.helensburghheroes.com/heroes/major_phil_ashby_qgm Phil Ashby at Helensburgh Heroes]
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