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	Gallantry		Gallantry

	Patrick King
	George Medal
	Date:	1940
	Colliery:
	Occupation:	Warden

 

Central Chancery Of The Orders Of Knighthood.

St. James's Palace, S.W.1,

30th September, 1940.

The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following awards of the George Medal and for the publication in the London Gazette of the names of units and individuals shown below as having received an expression of Commendation for their good services.

Awarded the George Medal

Patrick King, Air Raid Warden, Seaton Delaval.

During an air raid King was in his shelter when he heard a bomb explode. He ran towards the place where it had fallen and found that two semi-detached houses had practically collapsed. One of these was empty, but in the other was a blind lady who had sheltered under the stairs. King managed to get through the front door and ascertained by shouting that the blind woman, Miss Hannah Wilson, was alive but buried under the debris. He borrowed a fireman's axe from a fireman who was on the spot and pulled some of the debris out of the way with it. Some of the roof timbers were obstructing him so he sent for a saw with which he sawed off lengths and used them as supports to prevent further debris falling as he progressed. He had to struggle for a considerable time through the debris, meanwhile encouraging Miss Wilson and telling her what to do. He managed with considerable difficulty to reach her and to clear the debris off her body, and eventually to bring her out into the open. The house was in imminent danger of collapse and King showed great courage and presence of mind.

Source: London Gazette (30 Sep 1940)

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