Eight honoured for bravery during London Bridge terror attack
A NURSE from Australia who was killed as she tried to help victims of the London Bridge terror attack is among eight people recognised with civilian gallantry awards, among the largest totals given for a single event since the end of the Second World War.
Kirsty Boden, 28, an Australian nurse who was killed as she tried to help victims on the bridge, is posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.
Two police officers who confronted the attackers during their murderous rampage have been awarded the George Medal for gallantry of an extremely high order.
British Transport Police officer Wayne Marques, 39, was left badly injured after fighting off all three terrorists armed with only his baton, while off-duty Metropolitan Police officer Charles Guenigault was stabbed after rushing to his aid.
Eight people were killed when Khuram Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba attacked crowds enjoying an evening out on June 3 last year.
The awards to those who showed exceptional bravery at London Bridge were among 20 given by the Queen this year to men and women from Britain and overseas who paid no heed to their own safety before rushing to the assistance of others in danger. Two members of the public who helped Pc Guenigault receive the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery. Ellen Gauntlett and Justin Jones, from Beckenham, south-east London, ran to the aid of Pc Guenigault when he was injured.
Leon Mcleod, who had been on routine patrol with Pc Marques, chased the three terrorists and helped give first aid to some of the victims. He is awarded a Queen’s Gallantry Medal.
Ignacio Echeverria, 39, from Spain, who tried to stop the knife-wielding men with only his skateboard, is posthumously awarded the George Medal.
Florin Morariu, a Romanian baker who threw two bread crates at the terrorists, receives the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.
♦military personnel based in the UK will receive combat medals for overseas operations for the first time since the Second World War. Reaper drone pilots who targeted Isil as part of Operation Shader are to be recognised.