Donald Owen Clarke is the only Merchant Navy seaman to have been awarded the George Cross; the highest gallantry medal that can be awarded to a civilian. Donald Owen Clarke was born on 5 March 1923 in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. He lived with his parents in Osborne Road, Chester-le-Street. Despite Clarke’s home being miles from… Continue reading Donald Clarke, GC
Category: GC
AM, EGM and EM
When the George Cross was instituted in 1940, it replaced the Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM). In 1971, living recipients of the Albert Medal (AM) and Edward Medal (EM) were invited to exchange their award for the George Cross. THE GEORGE CROSS and GEORGE MEDAL EMPIRE GALLANTRY MEDAL The Empire Gallantry Medal (officially called the Medal… Continue reading AM, EGM and EM
WTS (FANY)
St. Paul’s Church is located just off Knightsbridge Road in London’s fashionable West End, near Harrods. On the outside of the church, affixed to the wall, is a memorial to those members of the Women’s Transport Service (WTS) who gave their lives during World War Two. The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) was created in… Continue reading WTS (FANY)
Korea War GC Recipients
Three George Cross medals were awarded during the Korean War (1950-53). All the awards were made in recognition of gallantry whilst a POW; two of the three awards were made posthumously. UN MILITARY CEMETERY KOREA DEREK GODREY KINNEDerek Godfrey Kinne was born on 11 January 1930. Fusilier Kinne was a soldier in 1st Battalion, The… Continue reading Korea War GC Recipients
Railwaymen GC Recipients
Six railwaymen have been awarded the George Cross, including one posthumous award to a security guard. NORMAN TUNNANorman Tunna was a Shunter with the Great Western Railway (GWR) company. On 26 September 1940, when the German Air Force carried out a large bombing raid on Merseyside, in the Morpeth dock area of Birkenhead, the scores… Continue reading Railwaymen GC Recipients
Police GC Recipients
This page is concerned with the polices officers that have been award the George Cross; the highest gallantry award for a civilian. ERIC GEORGE BAILEYEric George Bailey was a Sergeant with the New South Wales Police Force. He was born on 14 October 1906 in Tenterfield, New South Wales. During the night of 12 January… Continue reading Police GC Recipients
Far East POW GCs
This article contains accounts of those people who were Japanese Prisoners-of-War (POW) and were awarded the George Cross for their conduct. All of these George Cross awards, except the award made to Captain Durrani, were made posthumously. HUGH PAUL SEAGRIM, GC STANLEY JAMES WOODBRIDGE, GC MATEEN AHMED ANSARIMateen Ahmed Ansari was a Captain in the… Continue reading Far East POW GCs
Agents awarded the GC
This article concerns agents who operated behind enemy lines in various countries and were awarded the George Cross for their bravery. WOMEN RECIPIENTS OF THE GEORGE CROSS FOREST FREDERICK EDWARD YEO-THOMAS, GC Articles about other agents who were awarded the George Cross. ARTHUR BANKSArthur Banks was born on 6 October 1923 in Llandulas (North Wales),… Continue reading Agents awarded the GC
GC and GM Recipients
Eight people have been awarded both the George Cross and George Medal gallantry awards. Of these eight people, two have been awarded the George Cross and two George Medals. RANK NAME SERVICE Lieutenant Robert Selby Armitage RNVR Lieutenant John Bridge* RNVR – Richard Arthur Samuel Bywater Civilian Lieutenant Ernest Oliver Gidden RNVR Lieutenant Leon Verdi… Continue reading GC and GM Recipients
George Cross & Medal
The George Cross is the UK’s highest award for bravery by a civilian or a military person where the award of the Victoria Cross (VC) is not applicable. In order of precedence, the George Cross is second only to the Victoria Cross. As no person has won both awards, they can be considered as equals.… Continue reading George Cross & Medal