GEORGE CROSS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 305, 2 October 1940, Page 5

GEORGE CROSS

FIRST HONOUR BESTOWED.

ST. PAUL’S BOMB INCIDENT.

GEORGE; MEDALS AWARDED

(United Press Association-—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 1.

Lieutenant R. Davies, in charge of the bomb-disposal squad which removed the bomb from the vicinity of St. Paul’s Cathedral, has been awarded the George Cross, and a similar award has been made to Sapper G. C. Wylie, a member of the section engaged in the same operation. Two others engaged in the task have been awarded the M.B.E. Lieutenant Davies, the • citation states,- was so conscious of the danger to the Cathedral that, he, regardless of the risk, spared neither Tiimself nor his ’men in his efforts to locate tlie bomb. Lieutenant Davies, in order to shield his men from further danger, drove the vehicle in which the bomb was removed and personally carried out its disposal. Sapper Wylie actually discovered and removed the bomb. His untiring energy and courage and disregard for danger outstandingly set an example to his comrades.

Tlie George Cross' has also been awarded to Mr T. H. Alderson, detachment leader of the Bridlington Rescue Services, for consistent gallantry,, enterprise and devotion to duty during air raids.

Fourteen recipients •of the George Medal include three officers of the Dover Fire Brigade, and three women. The first George Medal has been awarded to a Northumberland colliery worker, Mr Patrick King, v who is a Raid Warden. He habitually carried a blind-woman to a shelter during raids. A bomb wrecked the woman’s home and buried her. Mr King dug her out, despite continued bombing. Sergeant James Wilson, who untiringly supported Lieutenant Davies till the bomb at St. Paul’s was finally located and brought to the surface, and Lance-Corporal Herbert Leight, who, besides working with the excavation section, assisted Lieutenant Davies in the subsequent disposal of the bomb, each receive the medal of the British Empire Order for Meritorious Service.