The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards of The Queen’s Gallantry Medal and, for publication in The London Gazette the names of the persons shown below as having received an expression of Commendation for Bravery.
The Queen’s Gallantry Medal
David Duguid
Kevin Francis
DC Stephen Oake (deceased)
Queen’s Commendation for Bravery
PC Matthew Crisp
PC Richard Gray (deceased)
Inspector Andrew Galbraith
Adrian Heili
Lee Hunt
Detective Sergeant, Greater Manchester Police
Notes for Editors
Further information about the Awards can be obtained as follows:
OAKE, CRISP, GRAY, HEILI, HUNT, DETECTIVE SERGEANT, GMP – Press Office, Home Office (Tel: 020 7035 3535)
GALBRAITH – Press Office, Northern Ireland Office (Tel: 02890 522880/523464)
FRANCIS – Press Office, Ministry of Defence (Tel: 020 7218 3255)
DUGUID – Press Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Tel: 020 7008 3100/3121)
Queen’s Gallantry Medal
David Ian DUGUID, Civilian
For his actions in disarming a gunman in Yemen.
On 23 June 2007, David Duguid was on assignment at an airstrip in Yemen providing security cover. The airfield was protected by Yemeni military forces and he was accompanied by a driver and armed escort. He himself was unarmed. As the aircraft landed, he moved towards the aircraft but felt a pain in his forearm and heard the sound of gunfire. He had been shot and took cover, from where he saw a Yemeni soldier firing his AK 47 assault rifle. A number of people were on the ground having been hit by gunfire. As the gunman moved behind the far side of the aircraft, Duguid broke cover and moved towards him in the hope of overpowering him, but he was spotted and had to take cover once again. The gunman then started to fire at the casualties lying on the ground so Duguid again broke cover to draw his fire. As the gunman focused on Duguid the armed escort shot and wounded the gunman, enabling Duguid to charge forward and overpower him. Having incapacitated the gunman, and ignoring the pain from his wounds, he then began to help the other casualties. Despite the threat from leaking aviation fuel, he set up a triage and applied life-saving procedures to the most seriously injured. He then arranged evacuation to a hospital and applied further medical treatment throughout the journey. On arrival at the hospital he ensured that the right steps were taken with regard to the wounded. One man died in this incident.
Kevin George FRANCIS, Civilian
For his actions in rescuing a pilot from a crashed aircraft.
On 6 September Kevin Francis was a passenger in an aircraft which crashed on take off. The aircraft left the runway at high speed and at full power. It cartwheeled through the air before hitting the ground, breaking up on impact in an explosion that extended over 100 feet into the air. The cockpit was enveloped in burning fuel and dense black acrid smoke, making it difficult to see and intense heat making it difficult to breathe. Francis used the emergency knife to cut a hole in the cockpit canopy and this allowed some smoke to escape. Having realised that the pilot was slumped in his seat and not responding to calls, Francis managed to squeeze out of the broken canopy. Flames were all around but were concentrated to the rear and right of the cockpit. He ran to the front of the aircraft and deployed the emergency canopy jettison mechanism which fired the canopy clear of the burning aircraft. He then climbed on to the canopy rail and released the pilot from his harness and pulled him clear. Fire and rescue crews arrived on the scene shortly afterwards.
Detective Constable Stephen OAKE (deceased), Greater Manchester Police and:
Queen’s Commendation for Bravery
Detective Sergeant, Greater Manchester Police
For their actions in tackling a man brandishing a knife in Manchester.
On 14 January 2003 a number of police and immigration officers attended a house, converted into flats, in Manchester to execute immigration warrants. They also possessed a search warrant under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Three men were found in the flat. Various checks were made, which took over an hour, and during this time the men were calm. After the verification process, the three men were arrested on suspicion of terrorism and preparations were made to secure any forensic evidence. Two suspects were in the bedroom with Detective Constable Oake when one made a determined attempt to escape. He punched the police officer standing in the doorway, ran past him into the kitchen where he acquired a knife, then he moved back towards the bedroom where he slashed out with the weapon. Detective Constable Oake was repeatedly stabbed in the frenzied attack and was locked with the suspect for several minutes. He called out that the suspect had a knife and that he needed help. The Detective Sergeant attempted to assist Detective Constable Oake and was stabbed in the upper left arm. He nevertheless decided to go forward a second time in an attempt to restrain the suspect. He managed to punch the man in the face but was stabbed once more. He was then pulled away from the suspect and other police officers eventually over-powered the man. The suspect was found guilty of murder (22 years), attempted murder (two counts) (15 years) and wounding with intent (eight years). All sentences to run concurrently.
Richard GRAY (deceased), Police Constable, West Mercia Constabulary
Matthew Peter CRISP, Police Constable, West Mercia Constabulary
For their actions in tackling a gunman
On 6 May 2007 two police officers attending a disturbance on a residential estate, were confronted by a man armed with a rifle. One of the officers managed to call police control. Armed police officers PC Richard Gray and PC Matthew Crisp were directed to the scene and informed that officers were being held at gunpoint. As they approached the scene both officers were advised, via their radio, that a shot might have been heard. On arrival, they saw the two police officers emerge from an alleyway with their hands in the air. PC Gray was ahead of PC Crisp and immediately ran past the two unarmed police officers being held hostage, putting himself between them and the gunman. He shouted “armed police, put the gun down” and moved around a corner and out of sight. A gunshot was then heard. PC Crisp ran to the alleyway and saw the gunman who then turned away and out of sight. He saw PC Gray slumped to his side against a wall. He had been shot and there was evidence of much blood loss. As he could not see the gunman, PC Crisp moved back from the alley and provided cover while his unarmed colleagues escaped the scene. He then took charge of the situation and directed other units to the scene. PC Crisp secured the scene and ensured that no further bloodshed took place. With the arrival of reinforcements, he and others were then able to move PC Gray away so that he could receive medical treatment. A police helicopter later discovered the gunman dead in a garden. PC Gray later died from his injuries in hospital.
Andrew GALBRAITH, Inspector, Police Service of Northern Ireland
For his handling of a public order incident in Belfast.
Adrian HEILI, Civilian
For his actions following the terrorist bomb attack at Edgware Road underground station on 7 July 2005.
Adrian Heili was travelling on a Westbound Circle Line tube train. Shortly after the train left Edgware Road station there was a loud bang from the front of the train, a burst of white light and flames outside of the train. The train slowed and stopped as thick choking smoke filled the carriage. In the calm he could hear someone screaming for help from behind him. He tried to find the source of this and went to the rear connecting door and realised the cries were coming from outside the train. As he shouted advice and instructions to his fellow passengers he realised that the cries were from a man under his train. He made his way to the front of the train and met with the driver. After explaining that he was an advanced First Aider he was allowed out onto the tracks. He realised now that an explosion had occurred and that the man was under the train and seriously injured. He administered first aid by applying tourniquets to both his legs and dressings to his head and other wounds. He waited with him until paramedics arrived before retrieving from an ambulance on the surface a scoop stretcher and assisted in removing the man to the station platform. He then returned to the train with more equipment and administered first aid to the injured. He remained on the train helping the medical staff until the last casualty was removed before making his way to the surface to be examined in the triage centre.
Lee Francois HUNT, Civilian
For his actions following the terrorist bomb attack at Edgware Road underground station on 7 July 2005.
Lee Hunt was an Underground train driver on a refreshment break in a room above Edgware Road Underground Station when at around 8.50am there was a loud bang and the building shook. He and his colleagues made their way quickly to the platforms and found two stationary trains about 100 yards inside the tunnel and the lifeless body of a female lying across the tracks. They could hear a man screaming and he made his way to find him. He saw that the man was seriously injured, so he crawled under the train to reach him. He and another passenger, trained in first aide, tried to assist the man by applying tourniquets and dressings to his wounds. During this time, a queue of passengers had built up because they were unable to pass between the train and the tunnel wall due to the injured man’s position. He attempted to find an alternative route for evacuation but, unable to do so, placated them to remain there until the man was taken out to safety. After this he returned to the bombed carriage to assist further. In response to the request from medical staff he drew a diagram for the Fire Brigade to arrange more lighting. He then returned for the last time to the carriage and assisted the medical staff until it was cleared of casualties.
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