George Inwood

George Walter Inwood
GC
Born (1905-09-22)22 September 1905
Birmingham, England
Died 16 October 1940(1940-10-16) (aged 35)
Birmingham, England
Buried at Yardley Cemetery, Birmingham
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch Home Guard
Years of service 1939-1940
Rank Sergeant
Unit 10th Birmingham (Public Utilities) Battalion (later 30th Warwickshire Battalion)
Battles/wars World War II
* The Blitz  †
Awards George Cross

Section Commander George Walter Inwood GC (22 September 1905 - 16 October 1940) of the Home Guard was posthumously awarded the George Cross for the "...highest form of cool courage and self-sacrifice for others" he displayed on the night of the 15/16 October 1940 during the Birmingham Blitz.[1]

Biography

Inwood was born on 22 September 1905,[2] the son of George Walter Inwood (aka William Thomas Inwood) and Margaret Caroline (née Jones) and was baptised in St. Martin's, Birmingham, (then in Warwickshire, now in the West Midlands county), on 11 October 1905. He is buried in plot 46739 of Yardley Cemetery in Birmingham.

15/16 October 1940

After a heavy Luftwaffe air raid on Birmingham on the night of 15/16 October 1940, Inwood was asked by the police to aid in recovery work in Bishop Street (in the Five Ways area). Leading six volunteers he discovered that several unconscious people were trapped in a gas-filled cellar. A hole was dug and Inwood was lowered on a rope. He managed to pull two men clear but was overcome by fumes on his third foray down. A doctor on the scene was unable to revive him.

George Cross citation

Notice of his Inwood's George Cross appeared in the London Gazette on the 27 May 1941.[3]

The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the George Cross, for most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner, to Section Commander G. W. Inwood, Home Guard (since deceased).

His widow received his award at an investiture on the 10 October 1941. The medal is now displayed at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.[4]

Notes

  1. ↑ WW2 Awards - G.W. Inwood GC
  2. ↑ Date given on baptismal entry: St Martin, Birmingham, Warwickshire
  3. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 35173. p. 3019. 27 May 1941. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  4. ↑ BMAG display label
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