The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 17, April 23, 2006, Article 32

SUFFOLK TOWN COUNCIL MISPLACES MUSEUM's MEDALS

The East Anglian Daily Times reports that "Police officers
are investigating the disappearance of two George Medals -
including the first ever to be awarded to a woman - in a
Suffolk town.

Suffolk police were called in when the medals, which are
the responsibility of Aldeburgh Town Council, were reported
missing.

The honours were supposed to be kept under lock and key for
insurance purposes but they cannot be found and the force
was asked to investigate just before Easter.

Officers do not believe the medals have been stolen, however."

"The value of the medals has not been revealed but one medal
in particular is believed to be worth a lot of money.

It was awarded in 1941 to Dorothy Clarke, a housewife from
Aldeburgh, who was the first woman to receive such an honour.

The George Medal is the second highest gallantry medal that
a civilian can win. The highest is the George Cross.

Mrs Clarke was with the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) when she
was called out to rescue two Royal Engineers at Thorpeness.

She drove an ambulance and she was assisted by first-aid
attendant Bessie Knight-Hepburn, from Aldeburgh, who also
received the George Medal.

They made their way through a minefield to try to save the
dying soldiers who had trod on a mine. One of the soldiers
died and the other was badly injured.

Mrs Clarke and Mrs Knight-Hepburn, who both died some years
ago, were in the first group of people to receive the George
Medal from the British monarch at a ceremony at Buckingham
Palace."

To read the complete story, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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