Arthur Douglas Merriman

Infobox Military Person
name=Arthur Merriman


caption=
born=25 November 1892
died=1972
placeofbirth=Manchester,Lancashire, England
placeofdeath=
nickname=
allegiance=United Kingdom
branch=British Army and Ministry of Supply
serviceyears=
rank=Lieutenant Colonel
unit=Royal Engineers
commands=
battles=
awards=


relations=
laterwork=Government scientist, metallurgist, Deputy Lieutenant of London.

Dr Arthur Douglas Merriman GC, DFC, OBE, MA, MEd, DSc, CIMechE, FRSE (25 November 1892–1972) was a government scientist with the Ministry of Supply, an officer of the Royal Engineers and a recipient of the George Cross.cite web |url=http://www.gc-database.co.uk/recipients/MerrimanAD.htm|title=Dr Arthur Douglas MERRIMAN, GC., O.B.E.|publisher=George Cross database |accessdate=2007-11-18] LondonGazette|issue=35006|supp=yes|startpage=6909|date=3 December 1940|accessdate=2007-11-20]

Biography

Merriman was born in Lancashire. In the 1930s he was a teacher in Wallsend, before becoming Secretary of the Faculty of Architects and Surveyors, in March 1938. They later awarded him an honorary fellowship, shortly before the events for which he was awarded the George Cross.cite news|title=Brave deeds in raided areas — George Cross for Scientist|publisher=The Guardian|date=4 December 1940|page=5|accessdate=2007-11-20]

In 1940 the Luftwaffe were continually bombing London as part of The Blitz. Merriman was a government scientist at the time, whose work included positions connected with the provision of air-raid shelters. When a bomb dropped on Regent Street on 11 September 1940, Merriman proceeded to remove most of the explosive from the bomb. When it did detonate, it caused minimal damage and for his actions he was awarded the George Cross on 3 December 1940. The George Cross is the highest award for bravery that can be awarded to civilians in the United Kingdom.

On 1 January 1941 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and given the acting rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. [LondonGazette|issue=35034|supp=yes|startpage=131|date=3 January 1941|accessdate=2007-11-20] His substantive rank was increased to Lieutenant with effect 1 January 1942, [LondonGazette|issue=35899|supp=yes|startpage=746|date=9 February 1943|accessdate=2007-11-20] and later to Major. [LondonGazette|issue=35818|supp=yes|startpage=5388|date=8 December 1942|accessdate=2007-11-20] On 6 January 1944 he was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) (OBE) for "gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East". [LondonGazette|issue=36317|supp=yes|startpage=149|date=4 January 1944|accessdate=2007-11-20] [cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7682338&queryType=1&resultcount=3|title=Documents Online - Image details, recommendation for award|work=Documents Online, Family History: Recommendations for Honours and Awards (Army)|publisher=The National Archives|quote=War Office and Ministry of Defence: Military Secretary's Department: Recommendations for Honours and Awards for Gallant and Distinguished Service (Army)|format=fee required|accessdate=2008-01-09] He was Scientific Adviser to the Commander-in-Chief Middle East.cite news|url=http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/979/562/18851528w18/79!pdf_imm_z77z0FFO-1972-NOV08-019-F|format=subscription required to access the Times digital archive|title=Obituary: Colonel A. D. Merriman|work=Issue 58626|publisher=The Times|page=19, Col E|date=8 November 1972|accessdate=2007-11-22]

In 1946 he became Registrar-Secretary of the Institution of Metallurgists, a post he held until 1957. On 12 December 1955 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of London.LondonGazette|issue=40656|startpage=7073|date=16 December 1955|accessdate=2007-11-20] In 1967 he became Master of the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Surrey in 1969. [ [http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/calendar/hongrads/01doctor.jsp University of Surrey website] , accessed 19 November 2007] He died in 1972.

George Cross citation

The citation in the London Gazette reads:

cquote|The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS to:-

Arthur Douglas Merriman, Part-time Experimental Officer, Directorate of Scientific Research, Ministry of Supply.

For conspicuous bravery in connection with bomb disposal.

References