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The E-Sylum: Volume 10, Number 53, December 30, 2007, Article 15 U.K. TERROR ATTACK HEROES DENIED GEORGE CROSS MEDALS [British newspapers are taking the government to task over what many see as a snub to citizen heroes of the July 7, 2005 terrorist bombings who were denied George Cross medals. -Editor] Gordon Brown's pledge to honour members of the public for heroism during terrorist attacks has been labelled a sham after dozens of civilians who went to the rescue of the 7/7 bombing victims were snubbed for awards. Pleas to honour ordinary civilians have been rejected as undeserving - even though more than two dozen public sector staff, some of whom were doing desk jobs, have been honoured for their conduct on 7/7. Brown made the pledge last July at the launch of a book he wrote on heroism, titled Britain's Everyday Heroes. He said: "It is right that we look at how our honours system can recognise those in our emergency services and members of the public who showed such bravery and heroism in the face of the recent terrorist attacks." However, Tim Coulson, a teacher who went to the aid of the victims of the Edgware Road tube station suicide bombing in July 2005, was snubbed after his wife Judy applied on his behalf this year. Coulson smashed his way into the stricken carriage from another train adjacent to it in the tunnel and gave first aid to the injured and dying. One man, whose body had been severed at the waist by the blast, died in his arms. Although her husband's case was backed by testimonies from those he helped and witnesses to his heroism, the Cabinet Office told Judy Coulson in a letter that "honours are awarded to people for meritorious service over a sustained period and not specifically for saving someone's life". The George Cross, which can be given to either military personnel or civilians and is equivalent to the Victoria Cross, has been granted 159 times since its creation in 1940. Its most recent recipient is Corporal Mark Wright, who died in Afghanistan in 2006 while leading fellow soldiers through a minefield. Peter Zimonjic, the author of a new book on the 7/7 bombings called Into the Darkness, said he was aware of at least two dozen members of the public who had performed similar acts of bravery to Coulson yet none had been officially recognised. The Cabinet Office declined to comment. To read the complete article, see: Complete Article SPINK NEAR LONDON BOMB SITE, BUT UNAFFECTED esylum_v08n30a02.html Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@coinlibrary.com To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum | |
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