ST. PAUL'S HERO GAINS CIVILIAN V.C.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 234, 2 October 1940, Page 7

ST. PAUL'S HERO GAINS CIVILIAN V.C.

GALLANT ACTION.

New Awards Also Received

By 16 Others.

United Press Association. —Copyright.

(Reed. 11 a.m.)

LONDON, Oct. 1

The leader of the bomb disposal squad of the Royal Engineers which removed the time bomb from the vicinity of St. Paul's Cathedral, Lieutenant R. Davies, has been awarded the George Cross, the civilian V.C. This has also been awarded to Sapper G. C. Wylie, a member of the section engaged in the St. Paul's operation.

Sergeant James Wileon, who untiringly supported Lieutenant Davies until the bomb was finally located and brought to the surface, and La nee - 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 meritorioue service, states the British official wireless.

The citations state: "'So conscious was Lieutenant Davies of the danger to the Cathedral that he, regardless of risk, spared neither himself nor his men in his efforts to locate the bomb. Lieutenant Davies, in order to shield hie men from further danger, drove the vehicle in which the bomb was removed and personally carried out the disposal.

"Sapper Wylie actually discovered and removed the bomb. His untiring energy, courage and disregard of danger was an outstanding example to his comrades."

The George Cross has also been awarded to T. H. Aldereon, detachment leader of the Bridlington Rescue Services,~ for "consistent gallantry, enterprise and devotion to duty during air raids."

The 14 recipients of the George Medal include three officers of the Dover fire brigade and three women.

The first George Medal was awarded to a_ Northumberland colliery worker, Patrick King, who, as a raid warden, habitually carried blind women to shelter during raids. When a bomb wrecked a woman's home and buried her Mr. King dug her out despite continued bombing.

A British official wireless message says that among the recipients of the George Medal is Miss Sonia Straw, a 19-year-old Caterham air raid warden, of whom the official announcement states: "During an air raid, Miss Straw volunteered to give assistance to the wounded.

"While the raid was in progress she attended a number of cases of badly injured women and children and treated several persons who were suffering from shock. She carried on entirely by herself without assistance for a considerable time until help came. Her action wae most praiseworthy throughout and she showed great courage and resource."

EVANS OF THE BROKE.

ORGANISING RAID SHELTERS. British Official Wireless. (Reed. 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 1. Admiral Sir E. R. G. Evans, "Evans of the Broke," who is one of the London regional commissioners, has been given the special task of organising the London air raid shelter arrangements. This appointment follows those of Mr. H. Willink as organiser for the provision of homes for London homeless, and Sir Warren Fisher to co-ordinate the restoring of communications and the tasks of demolition and salvage.

SEA LOSSES.

BRITISH, ENEMY, NEUTRAL.

(Reed, noon.) LONDON, Oct. 1. An Admiralty report etates that the British lost 19 merchantmen, totalling 131,857 tons, in the week ended September 22. Three Allied and five neutral merchantmen,.totalling 27,000 tons, were also sunk in this week.

Germany and Italy had lost, to September 29, ',067,000 and 291,000 tons respectively, while 33,000 tons of neutral skipping seized by the enemy had beea sunk.