Commendation for Bravery: Civilian Gallantry List

Civilian Gallantry List

The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards of The Queen's Gallantry Medal and for the publication in The London Gazette of the name of the person shown below as having received an expression of Commendation for Bravery.

QUEENS GALLANTRY MEDAL

Paul HUMPHREY, Explosives Officer, Metropolitan Police Service

For his actions in rendering safe an improvised explosive device.

On 29 June 2007 Paul Humphrey attended the scene of a suspect vehicle outside a nightclub in London. He examined the vehicle and found that it contained a large, viable improvised explosive device. It was made of unstable components of gas cylinders, petrol and loose metallic items designed to maximise injury on detonation. He concluded that to use the routine remote robotic "wheel barrow" in a confined space was likely to detonate the device, generating a large engulfing fireball and potentially causing loss of life. He decided, therefore, to manually disarm the device. This would minimise the risks and preserve any forensic evidence for any subsequent police investigation. For an hour and a half Mr Humphrey worked alone inside and outside the vehicle, using hand tools to render the device safe. This was done in the dark with the aid of only torchlight. He eventually declared the device safe with no loss of life, injury or damage to property.

John SMEATON, Civilian

For his actions in assisting a police officer to subdue a Glasgow Airport bomber.

John SMEATON works as a baggage handler at Glasgow Airport. On 30 June he was taking a break when a vehicle loaded with propane canisters was driven into the doors of the main terminal and set ablaze. The occupants of the vehicle got out and proceeded to attack a police officer who was trying to subdue them. He came to the aid of the police officer and traded blows with one of the suspected terrorist until the man was apprehended. He also helped injured people by taking them away from the danger of the burning vehicle and assisting in their initial care. There was a real risk of the vehicle exploding while he was in the vicinity assisting the police officer. There was further danger in dealing with what might have been an armed terrorist, posing a risk to other lives. He showed persistence and a disregard for his own safety in assisting the injured near a vehicle on fire.

QUEENS COMMENDATION FOR BRAVERY

Gary Antony WRIGHT, Explosives Officer, Metropolitan Police Service

For his actions in rendering safe two improvised explosive devices.

On 29 June 2007 Gary Wright attended the scene of a suspect vehicle at a car park in London. He was informed that the vehicle was linked to another suspect vehicle found earlier that day. He examined the vehicle and found that it contained two explosive devices made of unstable components of gas cylinders, petrol and loose metallic items designed to maximise injury on detonation. Mr Wright concluded that to use the routine remote robotic "wheel barrow" in a confined space was likely to detonate the device, generating a large engulfing fireball and potentially causing loss of life. He decided, therefore, to manually disarm the device. For two hours he worked alone inside and outside the vehicle, using hand tools to render the device safe. He eventually declared the device safe with no loss of life, injury or damage to property.

ENDS

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