George Medal for diver who helped rescue Thai schoolboys
FORMER West Midlands firefighter Rick Stanton, one of the first divers to meet schoolchildren trapped in a Thailand cave, has been awarded the George Medal in the New Year’s Honours.
Mr Stanton and John Volanthen have both been awarded the second highest civilian gallantry award for their remarkable efforts in the rescue mission that gripped the world earlier this year.
Twelve schoolboys and their football coach were stranded by rising flood water in Luang Nang Non Cave. Things looked bleak until determined divers pulled off a successful rescue against all the odds.
And it was not the first mercy mission to grab the headlines. Mr Stanton, in his fifties, previously helped to rescue British soldiers trapped in a cave in Mexico in 2004, and is one of the world’s leading cave rescue experts.
The retired Coventry fireman was made an MBE in 2012, when he admitted: “Who would have thought taking up a hobby in cave diving would take me all over the world and lead to all these awards?” Upon his return to the West Midlands after the Thai cave rescue, he denied that was a hero.
“Are we heroes?” he said. “No, we were just using a very unique skill set, which we normally use for our own interests.”
The operation claimed the life of Thai navy diver Saman Kunan, who died while replenishing oxygen canisters. It was particularly treacherous because the boys, aged 11 to 16, had to swim through tight spaces despite having no previous diving experience.
Others in the team also receive awards in the Honours.
Ex-pat Vern Unsworth, 63, Joshua Bratchley and Lance Corporal Connor Roe, 26, are all made MBEs, while Christopher Jewell and Jason Mallinson have been given the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for exemplary acts of bravery.
Reacting to the announcement, Mr Unsworth said: “This was a team effort and I’m very honoured to have been recognised, particularly as you don’t engage in a major rescue expecting this outcome. For me, after saving the boys, this is the icing on the cake.”
Mr Jewell, diving officer of the British Cave Rescue Council, praised the “amazing support” they received during and after the rescue. People from all over the country and the world have reached out to us to offer congratulations and express their gratitude,” the 36-year-old said.
“Behind every one of the cave divers being honoured is a supporting cast of family, friends, rescue volunteers and employers.
“The support and help from all these people made it possible for us to complete a successful rescue.
“I’ve been really touched by the way everyone has responded. Not only the caving and diving communities, which have rallied around us, but also the support and assistance we’ve had from our employers and work colleagues.
“I really appreciate the recognition our BCRC team is receiving with these honours and thanks to everyone that nominated us.”