True heroes have medals from Queen
HEROES of the London Bridge terror attack have been recognised by the Queen for their bravery.
A shortlist of courageous officers and civilians, including a man who died while rescuing two girls off the north Wales coast, feature on this year’s Civilian Gallantry list.
Richard Guest and Stephen Adams went to the aid of two 13-year-old girls who got into difficulty in July 2015 while swimming off the coast of Tywyn in Gwynedd.
Mr Guest, 74, from Walsall, had been on a weekend break with his wife, Margaret, when he was found face down in the water during the rescue. He was later pronounced dead.
During the inquest into the former bank manager’s death, Mr Adams, from Oswestry in Shropshire, compared the sea that day to a “washingmachine”.
He said that they managed to save one teenage girl, who Mr Adams led to safety, but Mr Guest stayed behind in search of a second girl who had made her way to the shore without their knowledge.
Both men have been awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal.
The awarding committee said: “Both men demonstrated unselfish courage. Neither man knew the two girls yet were willing to risk their own lives to ensure the safety of two strangers.”
Mr Adams said: “I am humbled and honoured to receive the Queen’s Gallantry Medal. Mr Guest lost his life trying to help others.”
The men join 17 others who received awards for showing bravery in saving or attempting to save someone’s life.
They include London Bridge terror attack victim Ignacio Echeverria, who was killed after trying to defend a woman with his skateboard.
The Spanish HSBC banker has been posthumously awarded the medal for confronting armed terrorists to protect others.
Two police officers who confronted the attackers on June 3, 2017, have been awarded the George Medal for gallantry of an extremely high order.
British Transport Police officer Wayne Marques was left badly injured after fighting off all three terrorists armed with only his baton.
The 39-year-old, who hopes to return to work soon, added: “[It’s] a silver lining. I hope that not just me but my colleagues and my family and the people who have supported this can take some comfort and pride from this.”
Metropolitan Police officer Charles Guenigault, who was off-duty at the time, will also receive the George Medal after rushing to PC Marques’ aid before he was also stabbed.
He in turn was then helped by members of the public Ellen Gauntlett and Justin Jones, who will receive the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery for staying by his side.
PC Guenigault, who said he was shocked but proud to be given the medal, expressed his gratitude to the pair for risking their safety to help him.
During the attack fellow officer Leon McLeod chased the terror trio and helped give first aid to some of the victims. He said: “I wasn’t ever expecting anything like this.”