George Medal

**Steve Smith** · 9th January 2021, 15:09

Hi,

Details via an ex 195 squadron aircrew member suggests that a pilot, F/Lt L.W Thorne was awarded a George Medal some time in 1943/44.

I have been unable to find the award in the LG, against his name in the Squadron ORB he has besides his name GM.

Any help advice most welcome.

TIA

Steve

**wwrsimon** · 9th January 2021, 15:50

Steve

The Marylebone Mercury of February 7th 1942 reported the following, and I think this is your man:

Scoutmaster Hero Training to Fly
Air Cadet Leonard W. Thorne, now training with the R.A.F. in America, was a London policeman and an enthusiastic Scoutmaster.
During one of the worst blitzes on London, Thorne was responsible for the rescue of some 20 people from a wrecked and burning building, for which he was awarded the George Medal.
Thorne was Assistant Scoutmaster of the 2nd Shoreditch (London) Troop.

There are a couple of other articles about his actions. The Leven Mail of January 21st 1941 includes excerpts from an interview he gave in America. He mentions that he was on duty at his call box on the corner of Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street when a bomb struck at around 9.00 p.m. He was thrown into the air and ended up in a pile of glass in the middle of the road, but managed to crawl to his call box and report the explosion. Three buildings were on damaged and on fire, and he repeatedly went in and helped remove people from the burning buildings.

Regards

Simon

**Steve Smith** · 9th January 2021, 16:39

Simon,

Sincere thanks.

Steve

**COL BRUGGY** · 9th January 2021, 22:38

Steve,

Name & Rank/Position: THORNE, Leonard Wilfred Constable.
Organisation: Metropolitan Police.
Action: Air Raid - saving life.
Place/s: 'Blue Posts' Public House, 'Funland' Arcade and 'Tottenham' Public House at junction of Oxford Street/Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, London.
Date of Incident: 24 September, 1940.
L.G. Date & page: 25 April, 1941, p.2338*.

See:
Dragons Can Be Defeated: A Complete Record of the George Medal's Progress from 1940 to 1983.
Henderson, D. V., G.M. Major (Ret'd)
London:Spink & Son,1984.
p.90.

* https:http://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/i...upplement/2338

Joint award with:

Air Raid Warden John Allen STEPHENSON, A.R.P. Service

Col.