Surviving "Famous" Heroes

[Adrian Roberts]

Sorry my first thread here is a rather depressing one, but I've been thinking about how just how few of the well-known heroes are left alive.

In the last few months we have lost Willie "Tirpitz" Tait, Sir Tasker Watkins VC, and Alex Henshaw among many others.

I do accept that anyone who put his or her life on the line in WW2 or any other time is a hero, but most stay anonymous. In twenty years the only ones left are likely to be a few privates, unknown during the war but who can still give a moving account of what they went through, as 108 year-old Harry Patch the last surviving WW1 Tommy is able to now. But there are some who become household names for being great leaders or fighter aces or for some individual act.

There are just seven VC recipients of WW2 still alive:

John Cruikshank (the only Air VC left)
Ian Fraser (the only Naval VC left)
Eric Wilson (who was awarded his VC in Somaliland in 1940 and is now 95)
Lachiman Gurung
Bhanbagta Gurung
Tulbahadur Pun
Edward Kenna

Apart from them, I believe Eric "Winkle" Brown and Peter Twiss are alive -both test pilots. The number of "The Few" is probably down to double figures, and I think just two from the Dams raid.

On the German side, Gunther Rall, third highest-scoring fighter pilot ever, is alive. In America, Chuck Yeager is still around.

Can anyone think of any others?

[spidge]

Originally Posted by Adrian Roberts

Sorry my first thread here is a rather depressing one, but I've been thinking about how just how few of the well-known heroes are left alive.

In the last few months we have lost Willie "Tirpitz" Tait, Sir Tasker Watkins VC, and Alex Henshaw among many others.

I do accept that anyone who put his or her life on the line in WW2 or any other time is a hero, but most stay anonymous. In twenty years the only ones left are likely to be a few privates, unknown during the war but who can still give a moving account of what they went through, as 108 year-old Harry Patch the last surviving WW1 Tommy is able to now. But there are some who become household names for being great leaders or fighter aces or for some individual act.

There are just seven VC recipients of WW2 still alive:

John Cruikshank (the only Air VC left)
Ian Fraser (the only Naval VC left)
Eric Wilson (who was awarded his VC in Somaliland in 1940 and is now 95)
Lachiman Gurung
Bhanbagta Gurung
Tulbahadur Pun
Edward Kenna

Apart from them, I believe Eric "Winkle" Brown and Peter Twiss are alive -both test pilots. The number of "The Few" is probably down to double figures, and I think just two from the Dams raid.

On the German side, Gunther Rall, third highest-scoring fighter pilot ever, is alive. In America, Chuck Yeager is still around.

Can anyone think of any others?

Great list Adrian. I cannot think of any to add.

[Kyt]

It is, indeed, a dwindling list, both for "hereos" who were recognised by awards and medals, and "ordinary" service personnel who did their duty.

Unfortunately, almost all are now very infirm and have reached a point in their lives where they do not appear in public; and so the public are only aware of them when they pass away and an obituary appears.

[Kyt]

According to the GC database the following GC winners (from the war) are still with us:

Bertram Stuart Trevelyan ARCHER, GC,OBE, ERD and Two Bars
Bomb Disposal
http://www.gc-database.co.uk/recipients/ArcherBST.htm

Henry Harwood FLINTOFF, GC
Stopped runaway bull at the age of 13
http://www.gc-database.co.uk/recipients/FlintoffHH.htm

The KING has been pleased to award the Edward Medal to Harwood Henry Flintoff in recognition of his gallantry in. the following circumstances:—
On the 23rd June last a farmer was driving a bull which turned on him, knocked him down, and knelt on his chest. Harwood Henry Flintoff, a thirteen year old schoolboy who assists the farmer immediately left his work in a neighbouring field and ran to his aid. After a struggle with the savage bull, in which the farmer was injured, Henry Flintoff though unarmed caught hold of the animal and together he and the farmer managed to grasp the ring in the bull's nose, and to hold on to it until they both became exhausted. The bull then broke loose but was caught and led to. its shed by a farm labourer who came to assist with a pitch fork. By his courageous action this boy saved the farmer from more serious injury and from possible death.

John Sedgwick GREGSON, GC
Shipboard rescue
http://www.gc-database.co.uk/recipients/GregsonJS.htm

The Albert Medal.
The ship was set on fire by the explosion of a torpedo during an attack by enemy aircraft. The flames spread rapidly and almost immediately orders were given to abandon ship. One of the ship's gunners, however, was pinned under a raft. pprentice Gregson immediately went to his assistance and, with help freed him. The gunner had sustained severe injuries and, as it was impossible to get him into a boat or on to a raft, he was dropped overboard. Gregson dived into the sea after him, and, in the darkness, towed his helpless shipmate to a ship which picked them up, a distance of about 600 yards. But for Apprentice Gregson's gallant and determined action, undertaken with complete disregard of his personal safety, the injured man would have had little chance of survival.

Charles Henry WALKER, GC
Malta convoy rescue
http://www.gc-database.co.uk/recipients/WalkerCH.htm

The Albert Medal.
Petty Officer Cook Charles Henry Walker, P/MX.49348.
During a convoy to Malta a vessel was hit by bombs in an air attack and burst into flames fore and aft. An escorting destroyer went very close, lowered her whaler and picked up survivors from the sea. Petty Officer Cook Walker seeing a man in difficulties dived over the destroyer's side and rescued him. The heat was intense and he knew that his ship-might have to turn away at any moment. Both rescued and rescuer were picked up.

Ernest Alfred WOODING, AM
Rescued people from boat
http://www.gc-database.co.uk/recipients/WoodingEA.htm

Mr. Ernest Alfred Wooding, Warrant Electrician, R.C.N.V.R.
For outstanding courage and presence of mind at the time of an explosion in a Motor Launch in harbour. Though not on board at the time he rushed on deck when the explosion occurred and pulled two of the three men in the engine-room compartment to safety. Knowing that a large quantity of high octane gasoline was in the tanks of the boat, his action showed complete disregard of himself. He did gallant rescue work of the men who were in the boat at the time of the explosion, and was certainly responsible for saving the lives of the two men from the engine-room at great personal risk.

[Kyt]

The Battle of Britain site lists all known surviving aircrew who participated. However, this list dates back to 2001, and I'm not sure how up-to-date- it currently is:

http://battleofbritain.net/bobhsoc/index.html

[Kitty]

What a sad listing. Some of these lads and lasses are till very spry and active, but the greater majority are getting frailer by the day.

[Antipodean Andy]

Bobby Gibbes, former 3 Sqn Sqn Ldr etc, died earlier this year. Certainly one of the most famous Aussie fighter pilots. Another of my heroes, Nicky Barr, died last year or 2005. He was also a 3 Sqn vet.

[Adrian Roberts]

Yes, Bobby Gibbes was another that I was thinking of. And I forgot to mention the late great Neville Duke.

[Adrian Roberts]

A survivor that I can think of is astronaut John Glenn - born 1921 and better known for his post-war career, but he flew F4U Corsairs in the Pacific in WW2, as well as F9F Panthers in Korea.