Robert Davies (GC)
Lieutenant Robert John Davies GC (3 October 1900 – 27 September 1975) distinguished himself during the Second World War with the Royal Engineers and was awarded the George Cross (GC) for the heroism he displayed in defusing a bomb which threatened to destroy St Paul's Cathedral on September 12, 1940.[1]
Davies was born in Newlyn, Cornwall, the son of John Sampson Davies of St Erth and Annie Vingoe. The bomb he defused was lodged 27 feet deep in Deans Yard, took three days to dig out, and was finally transported to, and detonated on, Hackney Marshes.
The citation from a supplement to the London Gazette of 27 September 1940 (dated 30 September 1940) reads:[2]
CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD.St. James's Palace, S.W.1, 30th September, 1940.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS to the undermentioned:—
[...]
Temporary Lieutenant Robert Davies, Royal Engineers. Lieutenant Davies was the officer in charge of the party detailed to recover the bomb which fell in the vicinity of St. Paul's Cathedral.
So conscious was this officer of the imminent danger to the Cathedral that regardless of personal risk he spared neither himself nor his men in their efforts to locate the bomb. After unremitting effort, during which all ranks knew that an explosion might occur at any moment, the bomb was successfully extricated.
In order to shield his men from further danger, Lieutenant Davies himself drove the vehicle in which the bomb was removed and personally carried out its disposal.
Sapper George Cameron Wylie was also awarded the GC for his part in the same action.[2]
Sergeant James Wilson and Lance-Corporal Herbert Leigh were awarded the British Empire Medal (for meritorious service) (BEM) for their part in the action.[3]
Davies had emigrated to Canada and joined the Canadian Army in 1918. He returned to Cornwall in the 1930s, and on 6 March 1940 was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Engineers,[4] serving as a Bomb Disposal officer during the Blitz.
After defusing the St Paul's bomb, Davies then served in the Middle East, but returned to the United Kingdom for an investiture at Buckingham Palace in February 1942.[5]
In May 1942, Davies was court-martialled and convicted of eight charges of fraud, obtaining money dishonestly, and theft, he also pleaded guilty to 13 further charges of issuing cheques without ensuring he had sufficient funds to draw on.[6][7][8] He was cashiered on 1 June 1942,[9] and sentenced to two years' imprisonment, reduced to 18 months following review by the General Officer Commanding, London District.[10] He afterwards emigrated to Australia.[citation needed] The Times of 1 October 1970 reported that his medal had been sold for a then record £2,100.[11] It is now on display at the Imperial War Museum.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ George Cross database. Retrieved 19 November 2007.
- ^ a b London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 34956. pp. 5767–5768. 27 September 1940. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 34956. p. 5769. September 27, 1940. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 34825. p. 2050. 5 April 1940. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
- ^ "Investiture At The Palace" (News). The Times (London). Wednesday, 18 February 1942. Issue 49163, col C, p. 7.
- ^ "Alleged Offences By R.E. Officer—Court-Martial Of Capt. R. Davies, G.C." (News). The Times (London). Tuesday, 19 May 1942. Issue 49239, col E, p. 2.
- ^ "Alleged Offences By R.E. Officer—Evidence By Captain Davies" (News). The Times (London). Tuesday, 20 May 1942. Issue 49240, col C, p. 8.
- ^ "Court-Martial Of R.E. Officer—Not Guilty On Three Of 11 Charges" (News). The Times (London). Thursday, 19 May 1942. Issue 49241, col C, p. 2.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 35681. p. 3757. 25 August 1942. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
- ^ "Capt. R. Davies, R.E., Sentenced—Imprisonment And To Be Cashiered" (News). The Times (London). Thursday, 19 May 1942. Issue 49241, col C, p. 2.
- ^ Geraldine Keen. "Record £2,100 paid for a George Cross" (Arts and Entertainment). The Times (London). Thursday, 1 October 1970. Issue 57985, col F, p. 14.
- Further reading
- Danger UXB by James Owen has several chapters on Davies's life and the St Paul's bomb. Published by Little, Brown, 2010 ISBN 978-1-4087-0255-0
[edit] External links
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