- George Cameron Wylie
Sapper George Cameron Wylie (
25 December 1908 –1 February 1987 of theRoyal Engineers was awarded theGeorge Cross for the heroism he displayed on12 September 1940 when a convert|2000|kg|lb|-1 bomb fell nearSt Paul's Cathedral in Deans Yard. It took three days to dig the bomb out of soft soil, work made even more dangerous by a fire at a fractured gas main. Wylie and his team placed the recovered bomb on a lorry, which was driven toHackney Marshes , where the bomb was detonated, leaving a crater convert|100|ft|m|-1 wide. [cite web|url=http://groups.msn.com/33EngineerRegiment/gcwyliegc.msnw|title=1942531 Sapper George Cameron Wylie. Bomb Disposal: Royal Engineers—George Cross|publisher=33 Engineer regiment, RE website|accessdate=2008-01-28]The citation from a supplement to the
London Gazette ofSeptember 27 1940 (datedSeptember 30 1940 ) reads:LondonGazette|issue=34956|supp=yes|startpage=5767|endpage=5768|date=September 27 accessdate=2008-01-28]quote|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:—
[...]
No. 1942531 Sapper George Cameron Wylie, Royal Engineers.
Sapper Wylie was a member of the Bomb Disposal Section engaged upon the recovery of the bomb which fell in the neighbourhood of St. Paul's Cathedral.
The actual discovery and removal of the bomb fell to him. Sapper Wylie's untiring energy, courage, and disregard for danger were an outstanding example to his comrades.
References
External links
[http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/associations/reabd/history.htm Royal Engineers bomb disposal history page]
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