This man represents the best of Britain

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/20/jo-cox-attack-calls-for-man-who-tried-to-save-mp-george-cross-bernard-kenny

what a brave man. he certainly deserves the highest award for his unselfish actions.

Reply 1

Studentus-anonymous

George Cross is a military medal, but otherwise he's definitely a 'top bloke'.

We all hope we will be that guy when something like that occurs, we don't all always meet our own expectations.

Reply 2

Olie

Well done that man, incredible bravery and selflessness to put his own life at risk for others, he deserves all the praise.

Reply 3

Drewski

Original post by Studentus-anonymous

George Cross is a military medal, but otherwise he's definitely a 'top bloke'.

Nope, the George Cross is awarded to any 'eligible commonwealth citizen', it can be awarded to both military personnel and civilians.

Reply 4

ODES_PDES

This is a military medal, for bravery in action

Reply 5

Drewski

Original post by ODES_PDES

This is a military medal, for bravery in action

It isn't a solely military award:

"The George Cross (GC) is second in the order of wear in the United Kingdom honours system, and takes precedence over all other orders, except the Victoria Cross. The GC is the highest gallantry award for civilians.

The award is for civilians but also for military personnel whose actions would not normally be eligible to receive military awards, such as gallantry not in the face of the enemy."

The most recent civilian recipient was in 1990.

Reply 6

nulli tertius

Original post by the bear

One of my bugbears is that we have seemingly stopped giving out "proper" medals to civvies. One reads of the number of people who get chief constable's commendations and the like but we have a whole suite of proper awards by the Queen but we never give them out.

In 2013 we gave out only 8 civilian gallantry awards and four of those were to police officers

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/civilian-gallantry-list-2013

Its a disgrace.

This is the last non-military, non-police officer to win the GC

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Clements_(GC)

Why doesn't this chap get a proper medal?

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llangollen-hero-who-tackled-two-2662488

The men were armed with knives, had held a knife to someone's throat. He intervened voluntarily and took action which secured a conviction. What more does he have to do to get a gong? Remember, that was in 2012. He should have been on that 2013 list.

Reply 7

Drewski

Original post by nulli tertius

One of my bugbears is that we have seemingly stopped giving out "proper" medals to civvies.

There has been an issue with awards in recent years (predominantly military, but it applies to civilians too) in that a- often enough they're not written up properly but mainly b- it gets harder to win them because they almost have to 'outdo' previous recipients.

The Victoria Cross is an extreme example, perhaps, but the types of action that saw soldiers receive the award in the early 20th century wouldn't be awarded with even the 3rd rung award these days.

Indeed, Johnson Beharry, one of the most recent VC winners got his after two actions. One alone wouldn't have seen him win it.

Reply 8

nulli tertius

Original post by Drewski

True but I do wonder if there is another issue with civilians. I wonder if local people:-judges, sheriffs. chief constables, mayors prefer to give out "their" awards and do not nominate for official ones.

Look at this

http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/documents/about-us/freedom-of-information/policies/awardsandcommendationsguidance.pdf

I wonder how many people the Derbyshire force recommends for "proper" medals. There is no mention of the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct let alone the George Cross.