HEROES HONOURED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 261, 2 October 1940, Page 7

HEROES HONOURED

SAVIOURS OF ST. PAUL’S

DECORATIONS BESTOWED

(United Press Association —Copyright.) (Rec. 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 1 The gallantry of the men who last month saved St. Paul’s Cathedral by removing, at the risk of their lives, the unexploded Nazi time Tl bomb which threatened the safety of the illustrious building, has been recognised by the King.

Lieutenant R. Davies has been awarded the George Cross, as has Sapper G. C. Wylie, a member of the sector engaged in the' operation. Sergeant James Wilson, who untiringly supported Lieutenant Davies until, the bomb was finally located and brought to the surface, and LanceCorporal Herbert Leigh, who, besides working with the excavation section,' assisted Lieutenant Davies in the subsequent disposal of the bomb, each receive tlie Medal of the Order of the British Empire for meritorious service.

Lieutenant Davies’s citation states: So conscious was Lieutenant Davies'of the danger to the cathedral that he, regardless of the risk, spared neither himself nor his men in the efforts to locate the bomb. Lieutenant Davies, in order to shield the men from further danger, drove the vehicle in which tlie bomb was removed and personally carried out its disposal. Sapper Wylie actually discovered and removed the bomb. His untiring energy, courage, and disregard of danger outstandingly set an example to his comrades. The George Cross is also awarded Mr T. H. Alderson, the detachment leader of the Bridlington Rescue Services, for his 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 is. awarded to a Northumberland colliery worker, Patrick King, who as a raid warden habitually carried a blind woman to a shelter during raids. A bomb wrecked tlie woman’s borne and buried her, but King dug her out despite continued bombing. WOMAN’S BRAVERY.

Among the recipients of the George Medal is Miss Sonia Straw, 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 to a number of cases of badly-injured women and children, and treated several persons suffering from shock. She carried on entirely by herself without assistance for a considerable time until help came. Her action was mose praiseworthy throughout, and she showed great courage and resource.”