Herbert Cecil Pugh

Herbert Cecil Pugh

Herbert Cecil Pugh, GC (2 November 1898 - 5 July 1941) was a South African recipient of the George Cross, and the only clergyman to be so awarded. He was a chaplain in the Royal Air Force holding the rank of Squadron Leader.

Biography

Pugh was born in 1898 in Johannesburg and attended Jeppe High School for Boys. During the First World War between 1917-1919 he was a medical orderly in France with the South African Field Ambulance. Because of his experiences in the war, he later became a minister. After the war he attended Oxford University in England between 1920 and 1924. At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 he volunteered to become a padre in the Royal Air Force (RAF). In 1941 he was on the SS "Anselm" when it was torpedoed. Giving up his life jacket to someone else, he had himself lowered into a hold where men were trapped, certain to die, and comforted them.

Citation

George Cross citation:

The Reverend H. C. Pugh, after seeing service in this country, was posted to Takoradi and embarked on H.M.T. Anslem, carrying over 1,300 passengers; for West Africa at the end of June, 1941. She was torpedoed in the Atlantic in the early hours of the 5th July, 1941. One torpedo hit a hold on Deck C, destroying the normal means of escape. Mr. Pugh came up on deck in a dressing gown and gave all the help he could. He seemed to be everywhere at once, doing his best to comfort the injured, helping with the boats and rafts (two of these were rendered unserviceable as a result of the explosion) and visiting the different lower sections where men were quartered.
When he learned that a number of injured airmen were trapped in the damaged hold, he insisted on being lowered into it with a rope. Everyone demurred because the hold was below the water line and already the decks were awash and to go down was to go to certain death. He simply explained that he must be where his men were. The deck level was already caving in and the hold was three parts full of water so that, when he knelt to pray, the water reached his shoulders. Within a few minutes the ship plunged and sank and Mr. Pugh was never seen again. He had every opportunity of saving his own life but, without regard for his own safety and in the best tradition of the Service and of a Christian minister, he gave up his life for others."

External links

* [http://www.gc-database.co.uk/recipients/PughHC.htm George Cross Database Recipient ] at www.gc-database.co.uk


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Pugh — is a surname, of German, Welsh, or Irish origin ( ap Hugh Son of Hugh), and may refer to * Alun Pugh * Clifton Pugh * Danny Pugh * George E. Pugh * Gareth Pugh, fashion designer * Herbert Cecil Pugh * Hugh Pugh * James E. Pugh, trombonist * James …   Wikipedia

  • Jeppe High School for Boys — is a public high school for boys in Kensington, a suburb of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. The school s motto is the Latin Forti nihil difficilius , meaning Nothing is too difficult for the brave . History The school was founded as Saint… …   Wikipedia

  • Liste der Biografien/Pu — Biografien: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • 2000 New Year Honours — The insignia of the Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George: Andrew Wood was awarded the Grand Cross in this Honours list. The New Year Honours 2000 for the United Kingdom were announced on 31 December 1999, to celebrate the year… …   Wikipedia

  • New Year Honours 1997 — The New Year Honours 1997 for the United Kingdom and Hong Kong were announced on 31 December, 1996, to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of 1997.The recipients of honours are displayed here as they were styled before their new… …   Wikipedia

  • Liste der Sieger der Grand-Slam-Turniere (Herrendoppel) — Bob und Mike Bryan sind mit elf Grand Slam Doppeltiteln die erfolgreichsten aktiven Doppelspieler. Die Liste der Sieger der Grand Slam Turniere im Herrendoppel listet zuerst alle Sieger bei den vier Grand Slam Turnieren im Tennis –… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • 1997 New Year Honours — The New Year Honours 1997 for the United Kingdom and Hong Kong were announced on 31 December 1996, to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of 1997. The recipients of honours are displayed here as they were styled before their new… …   Wikipedia

  • performing arts — arts or skills that require public performance, as acting, singing, or dancing. [1945 50] * * * ▪ 2009 Introduction Music Classical.       The last vestiges of the Cold War seemed to thaw for a moment on Feb. 26, 2008, when the unfamiliar strains …   Universalium

  • List of First World War Victoria Cross recipients — The following 627 recipients were awarded the Victoria Cross for the First World War (1914–1918). NOTOC A*Harold Ackroyd 1917; Ypres, Belgium *Abraham Acton 1914; Rouges Bancs, France *William Robert Fountains Addison 1916; Sanna i Yat,… …   Wikipedia

  • John Newcombe — Country Australia Residence Sydney Born 23 May 1944 (1944 05 23) (age 67) Sydney Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Turned pro 1968 …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”