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New Year Honours 2019: Cave divers honoured for Thai rescue | New Year Honours 2019: Cave divers honoured for Thai rescue |
(3 days later) | |
Divers who helped save 12 schoolboys and their football coach from a flooded cave in Thailand have been recognised in the New Year Honours. | Divers who helped save 12 schoolboys and their football coach from a flooded cave in Thailand have been recognised in the New Year Honours. |
John Volanthen, from Bristol, and Richard Stanton, from Coventry, were both awarded the George Medal. | John Volanthen, from Bristol, and Richard Stanton, from Coventry, were both awarded the George Medal. |
Vern Unsworth, 63, has been appointed MBE, alongside Joshua Bratchley and L/Cpl Connor Roe, 26, from Scotland. | Vern Unsworth, 63, has been appointed MBE, alongside Joshua Bratchley and L/Cpl Connor Roe, 26, from Scotland. |
Christopher Jewell, from Cheddar, and Jason Mallinson, from Huddersfield, received the Queen's Gallantry Medal. | Christopher Jewell, from Cheddar, and Jason Mallinson, from Huddersfield, received the Queen's Gallantry Medal. |
The British divers answered a call by Thai authorities to join a major search after the group disappeared in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave, in Chiang Rai province, on 23 June. | The British divers answered a call by Thai authorities to join a major search after the group disappeared in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave, in Chiang Rai province, on 23 June. |
Aged between 11 and 16, the boys entered the caves and became marooned in the dark until Mr Stanton, 56, and Mr Volanthen, 46, reached them on 3 July. | Aged between 11 and 16, the boys entered the caves and became marooned in the dark until Mr Stanton, 56, and Mr Volanthen, 46, reached them on 3 July. |
Mr Volanthen was the first voice the boys heard after nine days trapped in the underground network in Chiang Rai province. | Mr Volanthen was the first voice the boys heard after nine days trapped in the underground network in Chiang Rai province. |
Icing on the cake | Icing on the cake |
He said: "Whilst this award is obviously much appreciated and well received, I don't think anyone could ask for any greater honour than being asked to be part of the team that returned the Wild Boars [football team] to their families." | |
Mr Unsworth said: "This was a team effort and I'm very honoured to have been recognised, particularly as you don't engage in a major rescue expecting this outcome. | Mr Unsworth said: "This was a team effort and I'm very honoured to have been recognised, particularly as you don't engage in a major rescue expecting this outcome. |
"For me, after saving the boys, this is the icing on the cake." | "For me, after saving the boys, this is the icing on the cake." |
Mr Jewell added: "I really appreciate the recognition our team is receiving with these honours and thanks to everyone that nominated us." | Mr Jewell added: "I really appreciate the recognition our team is receiving with these honours and thanks to everyone that nominated us." |
What is the George Medal? | What is the George Medal? |
The award was created in September 1940 during the reign of King George VI, initially to reward acts of civilian courage and bravery during the Blitz. | The award was created in September 1940 during the reign of King George VI, initially to reward acts of civilian courage and bravery during the Blitz. |
Since then it has been awarded more than 2,000 times, and some military personnel have received it for "gallant conduct that is not in the face of the enemy". | Since then it has been awarded more than 2,000 times, and some military personnel have received it for "gallant conduct that is not in the face of the enemy". |
Posthumous recipients of the medal include PC Keith Palmer, who was fatally stabbed outside the Houses of Parliament in March 2017 during the Westminster terror attack. | Posthumous recipients of the medal include PC Keith Palmer, who was fatally stabbed outside the Houses of Parliament in March 2017 during the Westminster terror attack. |
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