Phil Ashby
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Major Phil Ashby QGM (born 1970) is a former Royal Marines Commando officer, notable for his escape and evasion in the jungles of Sierra Leone in 2000.
He was brought up in Helensburgh on the West Coast of Scotland and educated at Glenalmond College.Sponsored by the RM, he read engineering at Pembroke College, Cambridge.
In January 2000, Ashby was deployed to Sierra Leone as part of the UN 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 the Queen'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 him paralysed from the waist down, though he has since regained movement in his legs. Despite his disability he continues to enjoy rock 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.
