List of recipients of the George Medal, 1990s–2010s

Last updated

Elizabeth II, late 1950s to date. Inscribed: "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D." George Medal, Queen Elizabeth, second obverse.png
Elizabeth II, late 1950s to date. Inscribed: "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D."

The George Medal is awarded by the United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations for acts of great bravery; over 2,000 medals have been awarded since its inception in September 1940. Below is set out a selection of recipients of the award, since 1990. A person's presence in this list does not suggest their award was more notable than any other award of the George Medal.

Contents

Where a recipient has received a second GM, a picture of the ribbon bearing the bar symbol is shown. In December 1977 the provisions for the medal were altered, allowing it to be awarded posthumously, [1] in which case the "" symbol appears next to the recipient's name.

1990s

NameRank and UnitAction/CitationYear
awarded
Jack CrawshawCivilianFor trying to rescue a girl from an ice covered lake at Hemsworth, West Yorkshire. [2] [3] 1996
Eva Helen DicksonCivilian, Aramoana, New Zealand.Dickson was an elderly woman who had recently had a hip replacement and was unable to walk unassisted, but after being shot at during the Aramoana massacre, she crawled on her hands and knees into her house to telephone for help, then crawled back out to assist a neighbour who had been shot, then crawled back inside to call emergency services a second time. [4] 1990
Timothy Charles Rohan GoggsOperations Officer, The HALO Trust While engaged in mine clearing operations in Afghanistan, though injured himself, he re-entered a mine clearing tank that was on fire, to rescue colleagues. He died later in hospital from additional injuries sustained in the rescue. [5] 1992
Royd Philip KennedySenior Fire Fighter, New Zealand Fire Service For rescuing a girl who was trapped underneath an overturned trailer loaded with petrol. [4] 1992
Alan James KnappDetective Sergeant, Metropolitan PoliceWith Detective Sergeant Stephen Thomas, Knapp was involved in an operation to arrest armed men attempting to rob a post office. Both were shot and seriously wounded, but continued their endeavours to arrest the culprits. [6] [7] 1992
Michael Clive MeeStation Officer, South Yorkshire Fire Service For trying to rescue a girl from an ice covered lake at Hemsworth, West Yorkshire. [2] [3] 1996
Lisa Potts Nursery Nurse, St. Luke's Church of England School, Blakenhall, WolverhamptonFor protecting children in her care from a machete attack. [8] [9] 1997
Stephen ThomasDetective Sergeant, Metropolitan PoliceWith Detective Sergeant Alan Knapp, Thomas was involved in an operation to arrest armed men attempting to rob a post office. Both were shot and seriously wounded, but continued their endeavours to arrest the culprits. [6] [7] 1992

2000s

NameRank and UnitAction/CitationYear
awarded
Andrew Lee BarlowFusilier, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Awarded "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 October 2006 to 31 March 2007." [10] 2007
Vance WillisStaff Sergeant, 1st Battalion Scots Guards Awarded "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 October 2001 to 31 March 2002." [11] 2005
Mark DaviesOfficer with 29 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Search GroupAwarded GM after he neutralised numerous explosive devices in Northern Ireland where the risk to his own life was extremely high. [12] 2003
Adam ModdWarrant Officer with 321 EODAwarded GM after he neutralised numerous improvised explosive devices in Northern Ireland where the risk to his own life was extremely high. [13] 2002
Stuart Walter Dickson Staff Sergeant, Royal Logistic Corps Awarded "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 April to 30 September 2008." [14] 2009
Paul HartleyLance Corporal, Royal Army Medical CorpsAwarded "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 April to 30 September 2006." [15] 2006
Michael Liam Brady MillerFirefighter, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service In February 2005 a fire broke out in a 14th floor flat in Stevenage. Miller and Jeffrey Wornham went up first to assess the situation while their colleagues prepared equipment and water. When cries were heard from inside Miller and Wornham entered the flat and rescued a man, who indicated that his girlfriend was still inside. Both firefighters then re-entered the flat despite intense heat and zero visibility, but were killed. Both firefighters were awarded the GM posthumously. [16] [17] 2007
Gary O'Donnell   Warrant Officer Class 2, Royal Logistic Corps Bomb disposal expert who received the GM and Bar, and was killed in Afghanistan in 2008.2006 [18] 2009 [14]
UK GM w Bar ribbon.svg
Andrew Pennington Councillor, Gloucestershire County Council Died saving the life of Cheltenham MP Nigel Jones when they were attacked by a man with a samurai sword. [19] 2001
Justin Michael PriestleyCaptain, Royal Logistic CorpsFor "conspicuous gallantry whilst engaged on explosive ordnance disposal work in the United Kingdom". [20] [21] [22] 2000
Mark Jonathan SkippColour Sergeant, Parachute Regiment Awarded "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 October 2001 to 31 March 2002". [11] 2005
Kevin IvisonCaptain, Royal Logistic CorpsAwarded a George Medal for risking his life in Al Amarah, Maysaan Province, Iraq on 28 February. His MoD citation said: "Aware that his actions would probably result in his death, Captain Ivison donned his specialist protective equipment. He passed what he feared would be his last messages to his loved ones, to his number two operator." [23] 2006
Eliza WardCafe Manager, BelfastAged 18, she was fatally stabbed in the chest after she confronted a kitchen porter who was attacking the female owner of a city centre restaurant in July 1997. [24] [25] 2000
William DeaconWinchman, HM Coastguard Awarded posthumously for actions during the rescue of crew from a shipwrecked vessel, MV Green Lily off the coast of Shetland on 19 November 1997. Deacon was lowered onto the deck of the vessel from a rescue helicopter and ten crew were winched off the vessel. Deacon was the last person on board when he was swept overboard and killed. [26] [27] 2000
Anthony John DohertyBoatman, Fast Rescue CraftAwarded posthumously for attempts made to rescue a man who had fallen into the sea from a North Sea gas rig. [27] [28] 2000

2010s

NameRank and UnitAction/CitationYear
awarded
Martin Simon George Bell  Private, Parachute Regiment Awarded "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 October 2010 to 31 March 2011. [29] 2011
Ian Andrew DibellConstable, Essex Police Killed while attempting to disarm an armed and dangerous assailant whilst off duty. [30] 2013
Ignacio Echeverría Lawyer; Banker"For confronting armed terrorists to protect others" during the London Bridge and Borough Market terrorist attack on 3 June 2017. Mr Echeverria confronted multiple armed terrorists with only his skateboard as a weapon. He succeeded in diverting the terrorists' attention to himself and was fatally wounded. [31] 2018
Martin G. FinneyFirearms Officer, National Crime AgencyFor tackling an armed assailant in Tottenham, London in May 2014. [32] 2017
Charlie Guenigault Constable, Metropolitan Police"For confronting armed terrorists to protect others" during the London Bridge and Borough Market terrorist attack on 3 June 2017. PC Guenigault was off duty, unarmed and had no personal protective equipment. [31] 2018
Paul Raymond JacobsRifleman, The Rifles Awarded "in recognition of gallant services in Afghanistan during the period 1 April to 30 September 2009. [34] 2010
Bernard Carter KennyCivilianInjured while intervening in the murder of Jo Cox [35] 2017
Karl Ley Staff Sergeant, Royal Logistic CorpsMade safe 139 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by the Taliban during a tour of Helmand Province, Afghanistan. [36] 2010 [37]
Brett George Linley  Staff Sergeant, Royal Logistic CorpsAwarded "in recognition of gallant services in Afghanistan during the period 1 April to 30 September 2010". [38] 2011
Wayne Marques Constable, British Transport Police"For confronting armed terrorists to protect others" during the London Bridge and Borough Market terrorist attack on 3 June 2017. [39] 2018
Ian Thomas MolyneuxLieutenant Commander, Royal Navy Submarine Service With complete disregard for his own safety, he deliberately made an effort to tackle a gunman on board HMS Astute. The shooting happened while Southampton's mayor, Royston Smith, and other dignitaries were touring the Royal Navy's hunter-killer nuclear submarine. He was shot in the head at very close range and died. [40] 2012 [41]
Alistair Klaas NeillChief Executive, Southampton City Council For tackling and subduing a gunman on HMS Astute. [42] 2012
Keith Palmer Constable, Metropolitan PoliceKilled trying to stop a terrorist attacking Parliament during the 2017 Westminster attack. [35] 2017
Andreas Oliver PeatWarrant Officer Class One, Royal Logistic Corps, 33 EOD Regiment In January 2013 Peat was supporting a patrol of Danish Jaegerkorpset and Afghan National Police. After entering a compound in the Upper Gereshk Valley an IED was triggered, severely injuring a Danish soldier. Peat began to provide medical assistance, but then realized that the injured soldier was lying on another IED, and had to tunnel beneath the injured man to disarm the device. Peat then evacuated the compound which was littered with IEDs rendering safe another IED found under another team of soldiers [43] [44] 2013 [45]
Anthony RussellSergeant, Royal Marines, 771 Naval Air SquadronFor the rescue of two men from a capsized liferaft, of the yacht Andriette, 7 July 2011. [46] 2013 [47]
Ryan ShelleyMarine, Royal MarinesAwarded "in recognition of gallant services in Afghanistan during the period 1 April to 30 September 2010". [38] 2011
Daniel Marc Shepherd  Captain, Royal Logistic Corps Ammunition Technical Officer posthumously awarded the GM for clearing 13 IEDs by hand with no protective suit over a 36-hour period. [48] Captain Shepherd was killed in Nad-e-Ali in Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan on 20 July 2009.2010 [34]
Royston Smith Leader, Southampton City CouncilWith Alistair Neill, he helped disarm a gunman during the 2011 shooting incident on board HMS Astute. [42] 2011
Richard Stanton and John Volanthen Civilians; volunteer cave divers For their role in the Tham Luang cave rescue. Awarded as part of the 2019 New Year Honours, announced on 29 December 2018. [49] Three other members of their team were made MBEs and two were awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal. [49] 2018
Paul Hassan Zubier Civilian, Paramedic"For going to the assistance of a woman being attacked by a man with a knife" during the terrorist attack in Turku, Finland on 18 August 2017. Mr Zubier chased the attacker away and rendered first aid to the victim. The attacker returned twice and Mr Zubier fought him off sustaining further injuries himself while continuing treatment and shielding the victim and others from attack. [39] 2018

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)</span> Military decoration of the United Kingdom

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers, and since 1993 to other ranks, of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy".

The George Cross (GC) is the highest award bestowed by the British government for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. In the British honours system, the George Cross, since its introduction in 1940, has been equal in stature to the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for valour. It is awarded "for acts of the greatest heroism or for most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger", not in the presence of the enemy, to members of the British armed forces and to British civilians. Posthumous awards have been allowed since it was instituted. It was previously awarded to residents of Commonwealth countries, most of which have since established their own honours systems and no longer recommend British honours. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians including police, emergency services and merchant seamen. Many of the awards have been personally presented by the British monarch to recipients or, in the case of posthumous awards, to next of kin. The investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Medal</span> British award for gallantry, established in 1940

The George Medal (GM), instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI, is a decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, awarded for gallantry, typically by civilians, or in circumstances where military honours are not appropriate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Cross</span> British military decoration

The Military Cross (MC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces, and formerly awarded to officers of other Commonwealth countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conspicuous Gallantry Cross</span> British military award

The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) is a second level military decoration of the British Armed Forces. Created in 1993 and first awarded in 1995, it was instituted after a review of the British honours system to remove distinctions of rank in the awarding of gallantry decorations. The Victoria Cross is the only higher combat gallantry award presented by the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Empire Medal</span> British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service

The British Empire Medal is a British and Commonwealth award for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. The current honour was created in 1922 to replace the original medal, which had been established in 1917 as part of the Order of the British Empire.

The Edward Medal was a British civilian decoration which was instituted by royal warrant on 13 July 1907 to recognise acts of bravery of miners and quarrymen in endangering their lives to rescue their fellow workers. The medal was named in honour of King Edward VII. The original royal warrant was amended by a further royal warrant on 1 December 1909 to encompass acts of bravery by all industrial workers in factory accidents and disasters, creating two versions of the Edward Medal: Mines and Industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King's Gallantry Medal</span> United Kingdom decoration awarded for exemplary acts of bravery

The King's Gallantry Medal (KGM), formerly the Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM), is a United Kingdom decoration awarded for exemplary acts of bravery where the services were not so outstanding as to merit the George Medal, but above the level required for the King's Commendation for Bravery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">771 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

771 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm was formed on 24 May 1939 at HMS Daedalus, Lee-on-Solent as a Fleet Requirements Unit with 14 Fairey Swordfish TSR biplanes. The squadron carried out various exercises with ships and provided towed targets for naval air gunners, and was decommissioned on 22 March 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PDSA Gold Medal</span> Bravery award to animals

The PDSA Gold Medal is an animal bravery award that acknowledges the bravery and devotion to duty of animals. It was created by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) in 2001, and is now recognised as the animal equivalent of the George Cross. The Gold Medal is considered as the civilian equivalent to PDSA's Dickin Medal for military animals. An animal can be awarded the PDSA Gold Medal if it assists in saving human or non-human life when its own life is in danger or through exceptional devotion to duty. The medal can also be awarded to animals in public service, such as police or rescue dogs, if the animal dies or suffers serious injury while carrying out its official duties in the face of armed and violent opposition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct</span> Award

The Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct, formerly the King's Commendation for Brave Conduct, acknowledged brave acts by both civilians and members of the armed services in both war and peace, for gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. Established by King George VI in 1939, the award was discontinued in 1994 on the institution of the Queen's Commendation for Bravery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Cross</span> Highest military decoration for valour in the UK

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously awarded to service personnel in the broader British Empire, with most successor independent nations now having established their own honours systems and no longer recommending British honours. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians under military command. No civilian has received the award since 1879. Since the first awards were presented by Queen Victoria in 1857, two thirds of all awards have been personally presented by the British monarch. The investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary O'Donnell (British Army soldier)</span> British Army soldier

Warrant Officer Class 2 Gary John O'Donnell, was a British Army bomb disposal expert who was awarded the George Medal twice. The George Medal is the second highest decoration, after the George Cross, for "acts of great bravery" not "in the face of the enemy". His second George Medal was the first such award in 26 years and the first ever posthumous bar. O'Donnell was killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Stanton</span> British cave diver who specialises in rescues

Richard William Stanton, is a British civilian cave diver who specialises in rescues through the Cave Rescue Organisation and the British Cave Rescue Council. He has been called "one of the world's most accomplished cave-divers", "the face of British cave diving," and "the best cave diver in Europe". Stanton has lived in Coventry for many years, and was formerly a firefighter with the West Midlands Fire Service for 25 years prior to his retirement. In 2018 he played a leading role in the Tham Luang cave rescue and was awarded the George Medal in the Civilian Gallantry List.

The Special Honours Lists for Australia are announced by the Sovereign and Governor-General at any time.

References

  1. "No. 47397". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 December 1977. p. 15235.
  2. 1 2 "No. 54483". The London Gazette. 1 August 1996. p. 10423.
  3. 1 2 Jury, Louise; Bennett, Will. "Ice rescue turns into tragedy". The Independent . London . Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 "No. 52837". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 February 1992. p. 2784.
  5. "No. 53360". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 July 1993. p. 11212.
  6. 1 2 "Metropolitan Police Gallantry Awards 1970 onwards". historybytheyard.co.uk. 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  7. 1 2 "No. 52922". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 May 1992. p. 8407.
  8. "No. 54795". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 June 1997. p. 31.
  9. "Nursery nurse honoured for bravery". BBC News . 13 November 1997. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  10. "No. 58396". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 July 2007. p. 10412.
  11. 1 2 "No. 57588". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 March 2005. p. 3377.
  12. "75th anniversary of the George Cross and George Medal". MOD.
  13. "London Gazette Thursday 18 April 2002". London Gazette.
  14. 1 2 "No. 58999". The London Gazette (Supplement). 6 March 2009. p. 4083.
  15. "No. 58183". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 December 2006. p. 17357.
  16. "No. 58522". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 November 2007. p. 17199.
  17. "George Medals for hero firefighters". Hertfordshire Mercury. 27 November 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  18. "No. 58183". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 December 2006. p. 17359.
  19. "No. 56374". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 October 2001. p. 12751.
  20. "No. 56017". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 November 2000. p. 12365.
  21. "Nuclear station heros honoured". Oxford Mail . 6 February 2001. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  22. "Bomb Expert Honoured For Averting Disaster". Eastbourne Herald . 20 April 2001. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  23. "Heroism and bravery honoured". BBC. 8 September 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  24. "No. 56035". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 November 2000. p. 13089.
  25. "Lovely Eliza died a heroine, but we miss her so much". Belfast Telegraph . 20 August 2007. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  26. "Rescue of the Green Lily". RNLI.org. Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  27. 1 2 "No. 55799". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 March 2000. p. 3339.
  28. "Heroic act recalled as North Sea oilrig set for removal". The Scotsman. 10 January 2004. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  29. "No. 59924". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 September 2011. p. 18715.
  30. "No. 60713". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 December 2013. p. 24589.
  31. 1 2 "No. 62357". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 July 2018. p. 12840.
  32. "No. 61828". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 January 2017. p. 1410.
  33. "No. 61284". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 July 2015. p. 12290.
  34. 1 2 "No. 59366". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 March 2010. p. 4835.
  35. 1 2 "No. 61969". The London Gazette (8th supplement). 16 June 2017. p. 11774.
  36. "Sheffield bomb expert Karl Ley awarded bravery medal". BBC News. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  37. "No. 59554". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 September 2010. p. 18536.
  38. 1 2 "No. 59737". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 March 2011. p. 5641.
  39. 1 2 "No. 62357". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 July 2018. p. 12841.
  40. "Operational Honours and Awards List". Ministry of Defence. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  41. "No. 60095". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 March 2012. p. 5852.
  42. 1 2 "No. 60096". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 March 2012. p. 5855.
  43. "Danish Award for selfless British soldier". British Army. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2015. 2013
  44. "Military courage recognised by Operational Honours list". British Army. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  45. "No. 60647". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 October 2013. p. 19570.
  46. Royal Navy
  47. "No. 60456". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 March 2013. p. 5741.
  48. "Hero's widow collects George Medal". The Daily Telegraph . London, UK. 19 March 2010. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  49. 1 2 "Honours for Thai cave rescue divers". BBC News. 28 December 2018.