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, during the 1950s. A person's presence in this list does not suggest their award was more notable than any other award of the George Medal.
Where a recipient has received a second GM, a picture of the ribbon bearing the bar symbol is shown.
| Name | Rank and Unit | Action/Citation | Year
awarded |
|---|
| William|Anderson|nolink=1}} | Column Officer, National Fire Service, Glasgow | Anderson was one of three fire officers awarded the GM for "showing utter disregard of their own safety in making persistent attempts to save the lives of the trapped men..." in a fire at a cabinet-makers at Ballater Street, Glasgow.[1] | 1953 |
| Allassan|Busanga|nolink=1}} | Corporal, Gold Coast Police Reserve | Busanga was one of eight police officers who, armed only with batons, faced down a hostile crowd estimated at 2,000 on the bridge near Elmina Castle. While engaging the rioters Busanga received severe gunshot wounds in the head and body.[2] | 1953 |
| Wilfred|Cain|nolink=1}} | Constable, Nottingham City Police | 150|ft}} from the bank, and the river, between {{convert|12|-|15|ft}} in depth, was running with a very strong current. The water was also extremely cold and the man struggled continuously. Cain, however, swam with him for about {{convert|350|yd}} until reaching the river bank.[1] | 1953 |
| Robert|Campbell|nolink=1}} | Constable, Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary | For disarming and arresting Robert Dobie Smith, after Smith had shot dead fellow police officer William Gibson while the officers were on duty.[2] Smith was hanged in Saughton, Edinburgh, in September 1951.[3] | 1951 |
| Chew Kim|Chuan|nolink=1}} | Inspector, Federation of Malaya Police Force | For outstanding gallantry in action against communist terrorists, and responsible for the capture of the leaders of many gangs. On one occasion he undertook, unarmed, an operation which involved facing terrorists armed with sten guns, rifles, and hand grenades, and after a fierce hand-to-hand struggle succeeded in overcoming them and bringing them to justice.[4] | 1956 |
| Thomas Vivian|Chisnall|nolink=1}} | Farmer, Gwelo, Southern Rhodesia | When an aircraft crashed into some trees after over-shooting the runway at Thornhill airfield, Chisnall, who lived nearby, rushed to the scene. The aircraft was on fire and the pilot, badly injured and unconscious, was still strapped into the cockpit. Chisnall attempted to release him, but was driven back by the flames. A neighbour, Mr. Richard Walton Fores Cox, a Garage Manager, then arrived and attempted to cut the pilot free with his penknife, but was also driven back. Chisnall, using a coat and hat as a shield, returned several times to the aircraft and using Cox's knife eventually managed to cut the pilot free, and he and Cox dragged him away from the wreckage and administered first aid. Cox was subsequently awarded the British Empire Medal.[5] | 1953 |
| Leslie Robert|Colquhoun}} | Civil Test Pilot, Vickers-Armstrongs Supermarine Works | In May 1950 Colquhoun was flying an Attacker to test the effectiveness of the air brakes. On the third of two dives the outer portion of the starboard wing folded up and the ailerons became locked. Colquhoun decided not to eject and made a high-speed landing at Chilbolton airfield, saving the aircraft so that the cause could be discovered.[6] | 1950 |
| Bruce Desmond|Christofferson|nolink=1}} | Detective, New Zealand Police Force | For tackling two youths armed with rifles, suspected of robbery, during which he was shot in the chest. The two fled the scene, but were subsequently arrested.[7] | 1953 |
| Dama|Dagarti|nolink=1}} | Sergeant, Gold Coast Police Reserve | Sergeant Dagarti was one of eight police officers who, armed only with batons, faced down a hostile crowd estimated at 2,000 on the bridge near Elmina Castle. Shots were fired from the crowd killing the Commanding Officer and mortally wounding another constable. Dagarti took command and engaged the crowd with batons. In a short period of time all except Dagarti were wounded, preventing them from taking further part in the action, but he continued to engage the crowd single-handed until reinforcements arrived.[8] | 1953 |
| Lawrence Silvester|Dick|nolink=1}} | Junior Nurse, Ministry of Health, Gold Coast | For going to the assistance of police officers who had been shot by rioters, whilst under fire.[8] | 1953 |
| George Arthur|Dorsett|nolink=1}} | Constable, Metropolitan Police | Awarded for disarming a man armed with a pistol who had already shot at another officer.[9] Awarded a bar to the GM for disarming a man with a shotgun.[10] | 1953
1959
|
| Hugh|Douglas|nolink=1}} | Police Constable, Nottingham City Police | Saved a young child from a burning house after the flames had forced three others from attempting a rescue.[11] | 1950 |
| David George|Ensor|nolink=1}} | Civil Servant, Ministry of Labour and National Insurance, Northern Ireland | For pursuing armed robbers on foot and by car.[12] | 1953 |
| Oswald|Falconar|nolink=1}} | Colour Sergeant, Royal Marines | On 17 May 1953 at RAF Luqa, Malta, an aircraft, carrying men from 40 Commando crashed on take off. The Marines evacuated the aircraft as flames and smoke swept through, but Falconar realized that one man was trapped by his safety belt. He turned back from the exit to release him, and once outside, despite his burnt hands, helped the man to tear off his burning clothing.[16] | 1953 |
| Acton Henry Gordon|Gibbon|nolink=1}} | Captain, Royal Regiment of Artillery | Awarded in recognition of his long-sustained courage as a prisoner during the Korean War. In May 1951, Gibbon helped three officers to escape, resulting in his "vigorous interrogation" in the camp reserved for this treatment near Pyongyang, known as "Pak's Palace" after its commandant, Major Pak.[13] | 1951 |
| George Alfred|Harrison|nolink=1}} | Shop Assistant, Jaeger & Co., Birmingham | For showing outstanding devotion to duty and courage. His determination and persistence, although injured, were the means of bringing a dangerous gang of criminals to justice.[14] | 1950 |
| Ian|Henderson|dab=police officer}} | Superintendent, Kenya Police | Henderson was first awarded the medal in 1954 for his work attempting to arrange meetings between Government representatives and the Mau Mau,[19] and received a second award in 1955.[20] In 1957 General Sir Gerald Lathbury when wrote that "Ian Henderson has probably done more than any single individual to bring the Emergency to an end".[15] | 1954
1955
|
| Freda|Holland|nolink=1}} | Night Sister, Dellwood Maternity Home, Reading | For saving 15 newborn babies in a fire on 18 April 1954.[16][17] | 1954 |
| Frederick Leslie|Jones|nolink=1}} | Constable, New South Wales Police | For disarming a man armed with a rifle.[18][19] | 1953 |
| Freeman|Kilpatrick|nolink=1}} | Staff Sergeant, United States Air Force, 47th Bombardment Wing | While stationed at RAF Sculthorpe, Norfolk, he was cited for rescuing 18 people in floods in East Anglia on 31 January 1953.[20] | 1953 |
| John Rodney|Lees|nolink=1}} | Flight Sergeant, Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service | Rescued an injured British Army officer, Major Hugh Robertson, from the Welsh mountain, Craig yr Ysfa, in winter by carrying him down the rock face on his back while being lowered, and while the major was struggling in delirium, in the dark.[21] | 1958 |
| Reis|Leming}} | Airman 2nd class, United States Air Force, 67th Air Rescue Squadron | While stationed at RAF Sculthorpe, he saved the lives of 27 people in floods in East Anglia on 31 January 1953 by venturing alone on a small rubber raft in the dark.[22] | 1953 |
| Stanley|McArdle}} | Contest|R12|6}} | Princess Victoria}} Contest came upon a survivor clinging to a liferaft, clearly exhausted. Despite heavy seas McArdle dived overboard and dragged him back to the ship.[23] | 1953 |
| James|Melvin|nolink=1}} | Divisional Officer, National Fire Service, Glasgow | Melvin was one of three fire officers awarded the GM for "showing utter disregard of their own safety in making persistent attempts to save the lives of the trapped men..." in a fire at a cabinet-makers at Ballater Street, Glasgow.[1] | 1953 |
| Robert Gordon|Morgan|nolink=1}} | Flight Lieutenant, Royal Canadian Air Force | Rescued a pilot from a burning F86 Sabre on 21 July 1955 at No. 1 Fighter Wing, Marville, France. With ammunition exploding and while standing on the wing which had a partially filled fuel tank, he along with Leading Aircraftman Harry John Waters were able to pull the pilot from the wreckage.[24] | 1957 |
| Kanda|Msiko|nolink=1}} | Mine Boss Boy, Mindola Mine, Kitwe, Northern Rhodesia | For saving the lives of two fellow miners on 11 October 1950.[25] | 1950 |
| Tenzing|Norgay}} | Mountaineer, Nepal | For his part in the first ascent to the summit of Mount Everest.[26] | 1953 |
| David Walker|Park|nolink=1}} | Deputy Labour Director, Scottish Division, National Coal Board | During the Knockshinnoch mining accident of September 1950, over 100 men were trapped below ground. An escape route was made through disused workings to the trapped men, but parts were heavily charged with inflammable gas. Park volunteered to enter the mine, joining the trapped men and instructing them in the use of breathing apparatus, and organising their escape. When the last of the men had been rescued he stayed behind to lead a search party to ensure that no one had been left behind.[27][28] | 1951 |
| Menggong anak|Panggit|nolink=1}} | Iban Tracker, Johor, Federation of Malaya | Menggong was second in command of an Iban platoon patrolling in the Labis area of Segamat, Johor. While attacking a bandit camp the Lieutenant in command was killed, and Menggong assumed command. Seizing a Bren gun and under heavy fire he rushed into the enemy camp, while his men, inspired by his example, charged. Although outnumbered by more than two to one, they fought until the bandits were forced to withdraw. Menggong then organised a search of the area, and only when this proved fruitless did he order the withdrawal of his platoon.[29] | 1953 |
| Eric Joseph|Rippon|nolink=1}} | Sergeant, New South Wales Police | For disarming a man armed with a shotgun.[18][19] | 1953 |
| Anthony James Arthur|Rivers|nolink=1}} | Lampman, British Transport Commission, Western Region | For saving a woman who was trapped on the line at Cradley Heath railway station.[30] | 1955 |
| Bernard Edward|Ruck|nolink=1}} | Assistant Superintendent, Kenya Police | For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in a series of incidents over a long period during attempted negotiations with the Mau Mau in the Mount Kenya area.[31] He received a bar to the GM in 1955 for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty over a period of three months making and maintaining contact with Mau Mau leaders. Ruck made thirty-four visits to the forest as a member of a team, usually only three strong, which had to enter unarmed for talks. He knew that there were a number of armed Mau Mau in the vicinity, and on occasions these showed themselves and more than once adopted an aggressive and provocative attitude. Despite this Ruck calmly continued to do his duty.[32] | 1954
1955
|
| John|Swanson|nolink=1}} | Assistant Firemaster, National Fire Service, Glasgow | Swanson was one of three fire officers awarded the GM for "showing utter disregard of their own safety in making persistent attempts to save the lives of the trapped men..." in a fire at a cabinet-makers at Ballater Street, Glasgow.[1] | 1953 |
| Anthony Trevor|Taylor|nolink=1}} | Sergeant, Royal Army Ordnance Corps | On 7 October 1956, Sergeant Taylor, the Ammunition Examiner attached to an infantry brigade during the Cyprus Emergency, was called on deal with time bombs located in a practically completed new Police Station. On arrival he was informed that three bombs had already exploded, the last only ten minutes before, doing considerable damage. He entered the building, finding a fourth bomb concealed in the wall beneath the stairs. Taylor, with some difficulty, removed a time pencil, which operated harmlessly in his hand while he was removing the bomb. In the previous six months Taylor had dealt with no less than ten similar time bombs and many home-made bombs and grenades which he had examined and rendered safe.[33] | 1956 |
| Leung Yiu|Tong|nolink=1}} | Detective Corporal, Special Branch, Hong Kong Police Force | Corporal Leung was attacked by two men in Grampian Road, Kowloon, and was despite being shot in the stomach returned fire, wounding one assailant, The second man fled, but was pursued by Leung for about a quarter of a mile, finally catching up with him on some waste ground. The man drew a knife, but Leung subdued and arrested him and took him into custody, before he eventually collapsed.[34] | 1953 |
| Samuel|Turkington|nolink=1}} | Postman, Glasgow | For intervening in an attempted armed robbery of a sub-Post Office on Tollcross Road, Glasgow, and grappling with, and then pursuing, an armed man, who was eventually overpowered and arrested by two police officers.[5] | 1953 |
| Wilfred|Warren|nolink=1}} | Contest|R12|6}} | Princess Victoria}}.[23] | 1953 |
| Harry John|Waters|nolink=1}} | Leading Aircraftman, Royal Canadian Air Force | For assisting in the rescue of a pilot from a burning F86 Sabre on 21 July 1955 at No. 1 Fighter Wing, Marville, France. Waters helped Robert Morgan pull the injured pilot from the wreckage.[24] | 1955 |
| Douglas Albert Muncaster | Lieutenant - Royal Canadian Navy | "Lieutenant Muncaster, with complete disregard for his own safety, was instrumental in saving the life of a pilot who was trapped inside his flaming aircraft after it had crashed. On the afternoon of 9 March 1955, Lieutenant Muncaster was the co-pilot of a Bell Helicopter which had arrived at the site of an aircraft crash, about one mile south of the Royal Canadian Naval Air Station, Shearwater, Nova Scotia. The aircraft--a Sea Fury, piloted by Sub-Lieutenant(P) J.V. Searle, R.C.N., 0-65687--had crashed about three minutes earlier, in a heavily wooded area, and it was noted that it had broken in two, the forward section, including the cockpit, being inverted, with the engine on fire. He Helicopter could not land owing to the density of the trees and undergrowth. The pilot, therefore, hovered about fifty yards from the aircraft, where the wood were more sparse, while Lieutenant Muncaster jumped to the ground from a height of about eight feet. As Lieutenant Muncaster ran towards the wreckage, one of the fuel tanks exploded. On nearing the forward section of the aircraft, from sound inside the cockpit, he realized that the pilot was alive. The Perspex canopy of the cockpit was resting on the ground and pilot was pinned inside. Being unable to open the canopy or break the Perspex with his hands or feet, Lieutenant Muncaster found a rock and smashed a hole in it. By this time the flames had reached the cockpit and there was imminent danger of the remaining fuel tanks exploding. The pilot was able to push his head and shoulders through the hole made in the canopy by Lieutenant Muncaster who, after considerable pulling, extricated Sub-Lieutenant Searle from the flaming cockpit and assisted him from the immediate vicinity of the aircraft. The remaining fuel tanks exploded a few minutes later." | 1955 |
| William Arthur|Waterton}} | Chief Test Pilot, Gloster Aircraft Company | He landed the prototype Gloster Javelin aircraft after flutter had destroyed the elevators, thereby saving important information.[35][36] | 1952 |
|
1. ^{{London Gazette |issue=39917 |date=17 July 1953 |pages=3993–3994 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
2. ^{{London Gazette |issue=39341 |date=21 September 1951 |page=4989 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
3. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/scottish.html |title=Executions in Scotland in the 20th century |work=capitalpunishmentuk.org |year=2011 |accessdate=22 November 2015}}
4. ^{{London Gazette |issue=40819 |date=29 June 1956 |page=3867 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
5. ^1 {{London Gazette |issue=39813 |date=27 March 1953 |page=1805 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
6. ^{{London Gazette |issue=38982 |date=1 August 1950 |pages=3949–3950 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
7. ^{{London Gazette |issue=39917 |date=17 July 1953 |page=3996 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
8. ^1 2 {{London Gazette |issue=40018 |date=13 November 1953 |pages=6165–6166 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
9. ^{{London Gazette |issue=39979 |date=2 October 1953 |page=5306 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
10. ^{{London Gazette |issue=41747 |date=19 June 1959 |page=4093 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
11. ^{{London Gazette |issue=39167 |supp=y |date=9 March 1951 |page=1280 |nolink=yes}}
12. ^{{London Gazette |issue=39813 |date=27 March 1953 |page=1804 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
13. ^{{London Gazette |issue=40146 |date=9 April 1954 |page=2206 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
14. ^{{London Gazette |issue=38834 |date=7 February 1950 |pages=661–662 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
15. ^{{cite book |last=Henderson |first=Ian |author2=Philip Goodhart |title=The Hunt for Kimathi |publisher=Hamish Hamilton |year=1958 |page=267}}
16. ^{{London Gazette |issue=40211 |date=18 June 1954 |page=3685 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
17. ^{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/medicine-obituaries/6948105/Freda-Holland.html |title=Obituary: Freda Holland |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=7 January 2010 |location=London |accessdate=22 November 2015}}
18. ^1 {{London Gazette |issue=39774 |date=6 February 1953 |page=831 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
19. ^1 {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96462985 |title=Awards to N.S.W. Police Officers |newspaper=The Northern Star |location=Lismore, NSW |date=12 February 1953 |accessdate=22 November 2015 |page=1}}
20. ^{{cite news |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/tributes_paid_to_forgotten_hero_freeman_kilpatrick_who_saved_lives_in_hunstanton_in_1953_floods_1_3782565 |title=Tributes paid to forgotten hero, Freeman Kilpatrick, who saved lives in Hunstanton in 1953 floods |newspaper=Eastern Daily Press |first=David |last=Bale |date=25 September 2014 |accessdate=22 November 2015}}
21. ^{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/johnnie-lees-640596.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=22 August 2002 |title=Johnnie Lees: Mountain rescue leader awarded the George Medal}}
22. ^{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9686370/Reis-Leming.html |title=Obituary: Reis Leming |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=18 November 2012 |accessdate=22 November 2015}}
23. ^1 2 {{London Gazette |issue=39976 |date=2 October 1953 |page=5285 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
24. ^1 {{London Gazette |issue=41038 |date=2 April 1957 |page=2061 |nolink=yes}}
25. ^{{London Gazette |issue=39042 |date=17 October 1950 |page=5155 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
26. ^{{Cite newspaper The Times |articlename=George Medal for Tensing — Award Approved by the Queen |day_of_week=Thursday |date=2 July 1953 |page_number=6 |issue=52663|url=}}
27. ^Glasgow Herald, 26 April 1951
28. ^{{London Gazette |issue=39210 |date=20 April 1951 |page=2318 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
29. ^{{London Gazette |issue=39813 |date=27 March 1953 |pages=1804–1805 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
30. ^{{London Gazette |issue=40480 |date=13 May 1955 |page=2874 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
31. ^1 {{London Gazette |issue=40287 |date=24 September 1954 |page=5505 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
32. ^1 {{London Gazette |issue=40592 |date=23 September 1955 |page=5416 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
33. ^{{London Gazette |issue=41020 |date=8 March 1957 |page=1575 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
34. ^1 2 3 {{London Gazette |issue=39917 |date=17 July 1953 |page=3994 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
35. ^{{London Gazette |issue=39609 |date=25 July 1952 |page=4067 |supp=y |nolink=yes}}
36. ^{{cite journal |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1952/1952%20-%202076.html |title=George Medal for Bill Waterton |issue=2271 |volume=LXII |page=116 |journal=Flight |date=1 August 1952 |accessdate=22 November 2015}}