The George Medal (GM)
The George Medal (GM) is a British civilian decoration awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry not in the presence of the enemy, meaning acts of great bravery that are not necessarily in battle.
View the recipients
Military Medal
Awarded for acts of exceptional courage, bravery, and meritorious service in the line of duty, such as in combat, but also for specific achievements like outstanding marksmanship or leadership.
View the recipients
British Empire Medal (Military)
The British Empire Medal (BEM) is awarded for meritorious civil or military service to the United Kingdom, particularly for contributions to one's local community.
View the recipients
Mentioned In Dispatches
A commendation for a noteworthy act of gallantry or meritorious service in the face of the enemy, or for operations in an active theatre.
View the recipients
Distinguished Service Cross
The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) in the United Kingdom is awarded for exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy at sea.
View the recipients
Order of the British Empire
The Order of the British Empire is awarded for outstanding contributions to national life through work in the arts, sciences, charitable work, and public service.
View the recipients
Queens Commendation for Brave Conduct
Awarded for acts of courage not in the presence of an enemy, specifically for gallantry in non-operational or non-wartime situations where other existing awards were not applicable.
View the recipients
The George Medal (GM)
| ANDERSON, Peter-Cpl. | Awarded for bravery when putting his 24ft Marine Tender alongside a burning Sunderland aircraft amid a sea of burning petrol and rescuing the crew. |
| BRIDGEMAN, L.C. -Cpl. | Coxswain of an RAF Pinnace which was taking a Naval and RAF salvage party to an aircraft that had crashed into the sea on the previous day, struck a mine and sank. However, the fore part of the launch remained afloat for a short period and Bridgeman, suffering from the effects of the explosion and accompanied by a naval officer, descended into the hold to rescue the injured. In spite of warnings, Bridgeman continues his rescue work and when this part of the vessel capsized and sank, he went under with the wreckage. He managed to get clear and was rescued later. The Naval officer lost his life. |
| MARSH, Victor, AC.2 | Fitter Marine onboard Refueller No.1168 at Pembroke Dock on 27th December 1942. At 08.15 hours Marsh along with AC.1 Pearson were carrying out a Daily Inspection of the refueller when an explosion occurred in the engine room. AC.2 Marsh knowing that AC.1 Pearson was in the engine room went at once to his aid where he found him severely burned and blinded, and unable to escape unaided. Although the engine room was full of flames, AC.2 Marsh succeeded, after several attempts, to darg AC.1 Pearson to safety, during which action he himself sustained considerable burns, both on his face and hands. Having dragged the injured airman to safety, AC.2 Marsh went back to the engine room and closed all the portholes and hatches, thus localising the fire. And preventing the refueller from becoming a total loss. |
| Malcolm Storey | On the evening of the 6th of July 1988 just two years after our Marine Branch closure The Piper Alpha Oil Platform was engulfed in flames and explosions killing 167 men. A number of men were able to escape the flames to the sea to be rescued by safety craft from a number of support vessels that were by then around the rig. One of these vessels was the ‘Sandhaven’ which sent it’s Fast Recovery craft into the furory to rescue men, finding four who had climbed down ropes or jumped some 175ft from the platform to get to the sea to then be hauled aboard the rescue craft by the three man crew who then very soon afterwards saw and recovered another two men from the sea. At 22:30 hrs the rescue crafts propeller was fouled by debris in the sea completely stopping the craft which then within minutes was blown out of the water in a huge fireball explosion from a mains gas pipe on the MCP-01 riser positioned in the water below the rig which had ruptured. All 6 rescued men and 3 crew were thrown into the blazing sea, the only survivor being the rescue crafts Coxswain Iain Letham who was pulled from the sea one hour later with his life jacket and safety helmet melted by the scorching heat. He received The George Medal for Gallantry. However one of his Rescue Crewmen aboard the rescue craft and the man whose Memory we wish to Honour and Remember for doing the work he was trained to do in RAF Marine Craft is Malcolm Storey from Alness, Malcolm had served in Royal Air Force Marine Craft on board HMAFV Seal and Seagull. Malcolm Storey was Posthumously Awarded The George Medal for Gallantry |
Military Medal
| ANDERSON, Peter-Cpl. | Awarded for bravery when putting his 24ft Marine Tender alongside a burning Sunderland aircraft amid a sea of burning petrol and rescuing the crew. |
| FLOWER, L.R.- Cpl. | Coxswain of ST.276 during the evacuation from Dunkirk. |
| KINNAIRD, A., Sgt. M.B.E. | The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Military Medal, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services rendered during, the period of operations against the Japanese in Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies terminating in March 1942. Als |
| MARKHAM N.L. -LAC. | The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Military Medal, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services rendered during, the period of operations against the Japanese in Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies terminating in March 1942. |
| ROBERTS, J.I. Cpl. | The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Military Medal, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services rendered during, the period of operations against the Japanese in Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies terminating in March 1942. |
| WILSON, Fred.-Ac.2. B.E.M. | MBC on board an RAF High Speed Launch which rescued some 14 injured men from three ships of a convoy which were burning furiously. Later, when attempting the rescue of personnel from two planes, which had fallen into the sea, the launch was attacked by nine enemy single-engined biplanes. The launch was raked by machine gun fire and three fires were started by incendiary bullets. The wireless operator was killed, the helmsman had two bullets through his clothing and the master was knocked unconscious. Aircraftsman Wilson seized the wheel and kept control of the launch in the heat of the action, until master recovered. During the action a line fell overboard and fouled the propellers. As they could not be cleared, Aircraftsman Wilson, in spite of the rough sea, went over the side with a bowline and endeavoured to clear them. This Aircraftsman behaved in a most praiseworthy manner under the most difficult conditions. |
British Empire Medal (Military)
| BANKS, Stanley – Cpl. | Second Coxswain aboard HSL.122 during the Dieppe Raid 1th August 1942. Awarded for his coolness under fire, he swam around com,forting the survivors, inflating lifejackets of those too exhausted to help themselves. |
| DARGUE,Albert-AC.1. | Nursing Orderly aboard HSL.122 during the Dieppe RaId 19th August 1942. In spite of his wounds, he endeavoured to to carry out first aid to the wounded until he was picked up in a seriously wounded condition. The courage and valuable services rendered by LAC Dargue are typical of the high qualities displayed by the nursing orderlies, who have carried out hazardous operations in High-Speed Launches which play an essential part in Air Sea Rescue. |
| HARDY W. | No info as yet. |
| HUNTER, J.- W/O. | Awarded for Meritorious Service to the RAF Marine Branch. |
| KNIGHT, D. | No info as yet. |
| LANE, K.E. Flt/Sgt | Master Coxswain. No further info as yet. |
| McLAUCHLIN, Flt/Sgt. | Master Coxswain aboard HSL.2517 in January 1943. Awarded for cool-headedness and outstanding seamanship during the rescue of the seven man crew of a USAF Mitchell aircraft which had crashed into the sea off Tobruk. His launch was at sea for four days constantly battered by gales before reaching Bardia in sinking condition. |
| MERRETT ,S.L. Flt/Sgt. | No info as yet. |
| MOORE, Robert – Sgt. | Marine Fitter aboard P.1386 at 1104 MCU Bridlington on 29th September 1969. Awarded for Gallantry and devotion to duty after his launch capsized off Amble Harbour with the loss of three men. |
| NUNN, Michael-AC.1 | Wireless Operator aboard HSL.122 during the Dieppe Raid 19th August 1942. He stuck to his post until the W/T was shot away, and going on deck, found he was the only member of the crew uninjured, the other members being either killed or wounded. He showed great presence of mind by first endeavouring to stop the engines until he was almost overcome by fumes. He then ran to the wheelhouse and continued to steer the launch for the British Coast until sometime later he was taken off by HSL.123. |
| ROBERTS, - Cpl. | Nursing Orderly aboard HSL.187. Awarded for bravery and dedication to duty. Roberts although himself wounded, twice in the leg and once in his hand, unselfishly tended to his other injured crewmen before himself. |
| SCOBLE, Robert Flt/Lt | Awarded for bravery after a parachute flare caused a serious fire aboard his launch. Post War he was O.I.C. at Mount Batten and later Fowey. |
| STYLES, F.W. | No info as yet. |
| MORRETT, S.W. | to follow |
| WELLESLEY, A.-SAC | MBC serving in the MCS at RAF Jui in August 1942. Awarded for bravery after he dived into the crocodile infested waters of Korangi Creek to free a refueller which was attached to a burning refueller. |
| WHITTAKER, D-SAC | Awarded for bravery for taking part in the rescue of a merchant seaman from a burning tanker off Ostende in early 1945. |
| WILSON F.R. – SAC. | Coxswain.2. Awarded for bravery and dedication to duty. |
| WOOLCOCK, F.B. | Awarded for dedication to duty whilst serving in ASR. |
Mentioned In Dispatches
| ASHFORD, AC.1. | MBC based at Kal;afrana on the 1st January 1942. |
| ATKINS, Sgt. | Coxswain aboard HSL.101 on the 5th June 1940 . For services rendered to SS.Rosaura when he rescued 36 Army Personnel from the damaged vessel and towing her into Ramsgate.. Also the rescue of War Department Launch Haig and her crew which he towed into Ramsgate. |
| BRIAR, Cpl. | Coxswain 2 based at Kalafrana on the 13th June 1943. |
| CALLAGHAN, Fl/Lt. | Captain of HSL. 2699 when operating with No, 254 Mobile ASRU in the Mediterranean. |
| COLLINS, LAC. | MBC based at Kalafrana on the 1st January 1942. |
| FAGAN, Cpl. | Marine Fitter based at Kalafrana on 13th June 1943. |
| FELLICK, -Cpl. | Second Coxswain aboard HSL.177 during the Dieppe Raid 19th August 1942. |
| GREGORY, Sgt. | Marine Fitter aboard HSL.101 on the 5th June 1940.For services rendered to SS.Rosaura when he rescued 36 Army Personnel from the damaged vessel and towing her into Ramsgate.. Also the rescue of War Department Launch Haig and her crew which he towed into Ramsgate |
| HAFFENDEN, Flt/Sgt. | 518520, Master Coxswain serving at Kalafrana, Malta on 11th June 1942. |
| HERMITAGE, LAC. | MBC aboard HSL.177 during the Dieppe Raid 19th August 1942. |
| HEWARD, Flt.Sgt. | Master Coxswain aboard HSL.101 on the 5th June 1940. For services rendered to SS.Rosaura when he rescued 36 Army Personnel from the damaged vessel and towing her into Ramsgate.. Also the rescue of War Department Launch Haig and her crew which he towed into Ramsgate. |
| HEWETT, Flt/Sgt. | First Coxswain of HSL.120 during the evacuation from Dunkirk. |
| HOCKNEY, Cpl. | Marine Fitter based at Kalafrana on 13th June 1943. |
| HUGGET, Alex.-F/O | Master of HSL.2564 at No.67 ASRU Port Ellen, Islay in 1943. Awarded for exceptional seamanship and devotion to duty during the rescue of a 3-man crew of an FAA aircraft which had crashed into the sea off Rathlin Island. During this rescue he went to the aid of an R.N. Walrus which had landed in the vicinity and had been holed and was sinking. Twice Hugget skilfully placed his launch alongside the stricken Walrus but on the third attempt his launch was badly holed below the water and began to sink. All the survivors were later picked up by a Destroyer but 2564 was later washed ashore an written off. |
| LEWIS, Cpl. | Coxswain 2 based at Kalafrana on the 1st January 1942 |
| MARCHANT, W/O. | Marine Fitter based at Kalafrana on the 13th June 1943. |
| MATHIAS, Cpl. | Marine Fitter based at Kalafrana on 17th September 1943. |
| MUCKLE,A. -Sgt. | Coxswain in charge of a Pinnace at Alness. Awarded for exceptional skill and seamanship whilst towing a badly damaged Sunderland on to the slipway during a strong gale. ( He was originally awarded the M.M. but was cancelled by a Group Captain who Muckle had ordered off the boat for interfering with the operation and countermanding the orders issued by Muckle as Coxswain I.C.) |
| MURPHY, R.- Cpl. | Boatwright at MCS RAF Jui in 1944. Awarded for his skill and determination after he cut down a local hardwood tree and from it fashioned a new keel for a Pinnace. |
| OAKE, AC.1. | MBC based at Kalafrana on the 1st January 1942. |
| PACE, AC.1. | MBC based at Kalafrana on 1st January 1942. |
| PARSON, J.T. – Sqdn/Ldr. | Master in the RAF Marine Branch. Awarded for Meritorious Service to the RAF. |
| REEVES,D.V.- Cpl. | Aircraft Fitter. The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award in recognition of gallant and distinguished services rendered during, the period of operations against the Japanese in Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies terminating in March 1942. |
| RUSSELL, Cpl. | Coxswain 2 based at Kalafrana on 1st January 1942. |
| SPENCER, P/O | Master of HSL.120 during the evacuation from Dunkirk. |
| STONEHOUSE, Cpl. | Electrician based at Kalafrana on 17th September 1943. |
Distinguished Service Cross
| AHEARN, B.W.- F/O | No details |
| COATES, C.F.L.-Flt/Lt. | Captain of HSL.142 at No/27 ASRU, Dover and C/O of Dover Base. |
| HAINES, Esmond – Sqdn/Ldr | O.I.C No.27 ASRU Dover. Awarded for dedicated service and dedication to duty during his two years in command of the Unit. |
| JONES,D.A.-A/Fl/Lt | Captain of HSL.186 at No./27 ASRU Dover |
| LANG, J.F.-A/Fl/Lt. | Captain of HSL.2595 of No.254 Mobile ASRU in 1943. |
| LOCKWOOD, G. – Fl/Lt. | Master of HSL.156 at 28 ASRU Newhaven in 1942. Awarded for his courage a nd devotion to duty whilst effecting many rescues in bad weather asnd sometimes close inshore of the Dutch Coast. |
| ROGERS, Jack,- F/O | In command of HSL.2543 based at Bastia. Awarded fgor bravery and devotion to duty while carrying out the rescue of both a Spitire pilot and a Walrus crew when under heavy gunnery fire from Italian shore batteries. |
| WATSON, E.R. – Fl/Lt | ASR Launch Captain. Awarded for fortitude and devotion to duty resulting in the saving of many lives. From July 1943 Watson had commanded detachments in North Africa and Italy and had personnaly led several rescue operations whil;st his launch was under fire. |
Order of the British Empire
| BEAMISH, D.T.- Gp/Capt. | Director of Marine Craft in 1970. Awarded for Meritorious Service to the RAF Marine Branch. |
| BOTTOMS, F/O | Master of HSL.2517 in the Mediterranean January 1943. Awarded for bravery and dedication to duty during the rescue of the seven-man crew of a USAF Mitchell aircraft which had crashed into the sea off Tobruk. His launch was at sea for four days constantly battered by gales before reaching Bardia in sinking condition. |
| HORN, - Sqn/Ldr. | Officer commanding No.254 Mobile ASRU in 1943. |
Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
| BANKS,F.-Flt/Sgt. | Coxswain of RSL.357 at 1104 MCU Bridlington on the 19th August 1952. Awarded for his skill and dedication to duty during the rescue of a swimmer off Flamborough Head in heavy seas. |
| BLACKBURNE, Ireland, R.G.R. – Fl/Lt. | Captain of a ‘D’ boat at MCS List. Awarded for courage, determination and devotion to duty during an Air Sea Rescue operation in the German Bight area of the North Sea in November 1959. |
| GIBBONS, Duncan – Fl/Lt. | Captain of P.1383 at 1153 MCU Limassol, Cyprus on 17th February 1967. Awarded for bravery and dedication to duty during the rescue and salvage of MV. Three Stars of Piraeus. |
| HEFFER, Jeremy. -SAC | MBC on board HMAFV Lancaster based at 1100 MCU Alness in 1984. Awarded for bravery when fighting a blaze aboard the fishing vessel Ventawen some four miles off Blyth. Throughout the incident Heffer displayed commendable fortitude and used his skills in a calm and efficient manner. As a result of his actions the fire was extinguished mand the fishing vessel was able to return to port under her own power. |
| WARNER, M.J.-Sen.Tech. | W/Op aboard RTTL.2755 at Seletar in December 1962. In recognition of his courage and outstanding devotion to his duties as Wireless Operator aboard a vessel which was holed at sea and in danger of Sinking. The launch was on an anti-piracy patrol in the South China Sea when it was holed by an underwater object and was eventually towed back to base. |
A.O.C’s COMMENDATION
| ABDILLA,T, J/Tech. | Marine Fitter onboard RSL.1654 at 1151 MCU Marsaxlokk, Malta in December 1977. Awarded for his part in the rescue of two injured seamen from the Indian ship Vishva Siddhi in a strong gale after their own vessel Queen of Peace had foundered some 250 miles off Malta. |
| ADAMSON,A- SAC | MBC onboard RSL.1654 at 1151 MCU Marsaxlokk, Malta in December 1977. Awarded for his part in the rescue of two injured seamen from the Indian ship Vishva Siddhi in a strong gale after their own vessel Queen of Peace had foundered some 250 miles off Malta. |
| BIRCH, P. - W.O. | Awarded for meritorious service to the RAF on 1 st December 1979. |
| CINI, G -SAC | MBC onboard RSL.1654 at 1151 MCU Marsaxlokk, Malta in December 1977. Awarded for his part in the rescue of two injured seamen from the Indian ship Vishva Siddhi in a strong gale after their own vessel Queen of Peace had foundered some 250 miles off Malta. |
| COWLING,-Cpl. | Coxswain of RSL.1654 at 1151 MCU Marsaxlokk, Malta in December 1977. Awarded for his part in the rescue of two injured seamen from the Indian ship Vishva Siddhi in a strong gale after their own vessel Queen of Peace had foundered some 250 miles off Malta. |
| GARDINER, B.A.- Fl/Lt. | Skipper of P.1381 at Mount Batten on the 18 th June 1971. Awarded for Dedication to Duty and Consumate Seamanship when rescueing crews from RN Gigs during the Annual Regatta. |
| GARSON., -SAC. | Medic on board P.1381 at Mount Batten on the 18 th June 1971. Awarded for Dedication to Duty when helping crews from RN Gigs during the Annual Regatta. |
| MALE, L.C. - Cpl/Tech. | Marine Fitter on board Pinnace 1380 at Khormaksar in 1963. Awarded the A.O.Cs COMMENDATION for bravery after he volunteered to swim ashore in heavy rollers, with a rescue line to save a youing boy trapped at the foot of a cliff on a rising tide. BADHAM-SAC Aboard IRC.54 at Tenby in 19??. Awarded A.O.Cs COMMENDATION for brave conduct for the rescue of an 11 year old boy from an inflatable air bed. And on another occasion he rescued a 13 year old boy who had fallen down Monkstone Cliffs. |
| JEFFERIS, J. SAC. | MBC aboard RSL.1668 at RAF Mount Batten in 1976. Awarded the A.O.Cs COMMENDATION for brave conduct For his part in a rescue involving a fire on board a diving tender near the RAF moorings. |
| MATHEWS, SAC. | Aboard IRC.54 at Tenby in 19?? Awarded A.O.Cs COMMENDATION for brave conduct during the rescue of four skin divers whose boat had drifted onto the Skerries. |
| MUNRO,Gordon. SAC | MBC 1977 Awarded for bravery for his part in assisting with the removal of a 1700lb Acoustic mine from a fishing vessel and also for rescuing a young boy from the sea off Tenby |
| RUSH, Rodney -SAC | W/Op on RSL.1654 at 1151 MCU Marsaxlokk, Malta in December 1977. Awarded for his part in the rescue of two injured seamen from the Indian ship Vishva Siddhi in a strong gale after their own vessel Queen of Peace had foundered some 250 miles off Malta. |
| STEWART,- Fl/Sgt. | Coxswain of P.1381 at Mount Batten on the 18 th June 1971. Awarded for Dedication to Duty and Consumate Seamanship when rescueing crews from RN Gigs during the Annual Regatta. |
| STIFFE-Eardly,-Cpl | Coxswain of RSL.1668 at RAF Mount Batten in 1976 Awarded the A.O.C. in Cs COMMENDATION for brave conduct For his part in a rescue involving a fire on board a diving tender near the RAF moorings. THEOBALD, D.-Sgt. Serving at 1113 MCU Holyhead in June 1973. Awarded A.O.Cs COMMENDATION In recognition and appreciation of meritorious and valuable service rendered to the Royal Air Force whilst serving in No.18. Group. |
| WHEELER, SAC. | MBC aboard IRC.54 at Tenby in 1974. Awarded A.O.Cs COMMENDATION for brave conduct bravery for his part in assisting with the removal of a 1700lb Acoustic mine from a fishing vessel and for the rescue of an 11 year old boy from an inflatable air bed. On another occasion he rescued a 13 year old boy who had fallen down Monkstone Cliffs. |
| WILLIAMS, N. -SAC | MBC aboard RSL.1668 at RAF Mount Batten in 1976 Awarded the A.O.Cs COMMENDATION for brave conduct For his part in a rescue involving a fire on board a diving tender near the RAF moorings. |
OTHER COMMENDATIONS.
| FRYIRS, Terry. – Fl/Lt. | Captain of RSL.1649 at Bahrain in 1965. Voted RAF MAN OF THE YEAR for devotuion to duty for the rescue of five members of the Parachute Regiment from dhow in a sinking condition some 40 miles off Muharraq. A gale was raging but Fryirs put his vessel alongside and rescued the men. On another occasion and again in a gale, he managed to take an injured seaman off a merchant ship and after a 13 hour round trip, safely put him ashore. |
| BROOKS, K.E. | W/Op on board HSL.181 at Gibraltar on the 4 th July 1943. Awarded the POLISH ARMY MEDAL in GOLD for his valued assistance when recovering. the body of Polish Prime Minister Wladyslaw Sikorsky from an RAF Liberator aircraft that had crashed into the sea off Gibraltar. |
Civilian Bravery Awards
| PROBERT,-Cpl. | An instructor at No.1 Marine Craft Training School, Corsewall in 1942.Awarded the Royal Humane Society Medal for repeatedly diving down to a sunken aircraft whilst attempting to rescue the crew. Medal presented by his Commanding Officer at RAF Corsewall. |
| ATKINSON, R.E.-AC.1 | MBC stationed at Holyhead in September 1942. Awarded the R.N.L.I. Bronze Medal. Atkinson was drowned when his power dinghy capsized while trying to rescue the crew of an aircraft that had ditched off Anglesey |