Queen’s Gallantry Medal 2007
Angus John CAMPBELL, Watch Manager, London Fire Brigade
For his actions on an underground train in a failed terrorist attack in London.
At lunchtime on 21 July 2005 Angus Campbell who was off duty, was travelling to work on the Northern Line of the London Underground when a passenger who was in the same carriage tried to detonate an explosive device contained in a rucksack. The improvised device failed fully to explode but caused a loud bang and smoke and a black chemical substance seeped out onto the carriage floor. Whilst the train was still travelling between stations Mr Campbell organised the evacuation of passengers into adjacent carriages, including a screaming woman with a child. He then pulled the emergency cord and informed the driver of the explosion. Mr Campbell remained in the carriage with the terrorist, engaged him in conversation and asked him to lie on the floor. He also asked the driver not to open the carriage doors at the next stop. Unfortunately on arriving at the station the doors opened and the suspect ran off but was detained later.
Anthony CROMPTON, Civilian
For his actions tacking two men trying to rob a garage in Skelmersdale, Lancashire
In October 2005, at about 2100 hours, two men entered a garage, both wearing masks. The shop was staffed by two female assistants. One woman was bundled to the floor, held down and threatened with a knife. The second man brandished a handgun and ran behind the counter, confronted the other woman and helped himself to money stored under the counter. Anthony Crompton then entered the premises, having seen the attack through the window. He closed the door behind him and ran at the first suspect who was wielding the knife and pulled him off the woman. A fight ensued. The second man realised what was happening and ran to his accomplice, striking Mr Crompton on his head with the handgun but he continued to fight on, in spite of being stabbed. Some of the stolen money was dropped and the masks were removed from the men but the suspects ran off. Mr Crompton chased after them but stopped when he realised that he was badly injured.
Paul HUMPHREY, Explosives Officer, Metropolitan Police Service
For his actions in rendering safe an improvised explosive device.
On 29 June 2007 Paul Humphrey attended the scene of a suspect vehicle outside a nightclub in London. He examined the vehicle and found that it contained a large, viable improvised explosive device. It was made of unstable components of gas cylinders, petrol and loose metallic items designed to maximise injury on detonation. He concluded that to use the routine remote robotic “wheel barrow” in a confined space was likely to detonate the device, generating a large engulfing fireball and potentially causing loss of life. He decided, therefore, to manually disarm the device. This would minimise the risks and preserve any forensic evidence for any subsequent police investigation. For an hour and a half Mr Humphrey worked alone inside and outside the vehicle, using hand tools to render the device safe. This was done in the dark with the aid of only torchlight. He eventually declared the device safe with no loss of life, injury or damage to property.
John SMEATON, Civilian
For his actions in assisting a police officer subdue a Glasgow Airport bomber.
John SMEATON works as a baggage handler at Glasgow Airport. On 30 June he was taking a break when a vehicle loaded with propane canisters was driven into the doors of the main terminal and set ablaze. The occupants of the vehicle got out and proceeded to attack a police officer who was trying to subdue them. He came to the aid of the police officer and traded blows with one of the suspected terrorist until the man was apprehended. He also helped injured people by taking them away from the danger of the burning vehicle and assisting in their initial care. There was a real risk of the vehicle exploding while he was in the vicinity assisting the police officer. There was further danger in dealing with what might have been an armed terrorist, posing a risk to other lives. He showed persistence and a disregard for his own safety in assisting the injured near a vehicle on fire.
