GEORGE CROSS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 October 1940, Page 4

GEORGE CROSS

AWARDED TO LIEUTENANT DAVIES AND TO COMRADE IN SAVING ST PAUL’S. OTHER DEEDS OF HEROISM RECOGNISED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, October 1. R. Davies, who commanded the disposal squad which removed the bomb menacing St Paul’s Cathedral, been awarded the George Cross. Sapper G. C. Wylie, a member of the sector engaged in the St Paul’s operation, receives the same decoration. Two others engaged .in the task are awarded the M.B.E. Lieutenant Davies’s citation states that so conscious was Lieutenant Davies of the danger to the Cathedral that he was regardless of risk and spared neither himself nor his men in his efforts to locate the 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, courage and disregard of danger outstandingly set an example to his comrades. The George Cross is also 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 Dover fire brigades and three women. The first George Medal ryas" awarded to a Northumberland colliery worker, Patrick King, who, as a raid warden, habitually carried a blind woman to a shelter during rai<jis. A bomb wrecked the woman’s home and buried her. Mi- King, dug her out, despite continued bombing. Sergeant James Wilson, who untiringly supported Lieutenant Davies until the bomb was finally located and brought to the surface and Lance-Cor-poral Herbert Leigh, 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.