Has anybody here ever wondered what it takes to be awarded this medal, often posthumously?

If you ARE interested, please read on...

GEORGE CROSS
22105517 Fusilier Derek Godfrey Kinne The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
In August, 1950, Fusilier Kinne volunteered for service in Korea. He joined the 1st Battalion The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, and was captured by Chinese Communist forces on 25th April, 1951, the last day of the Imjin River battle. From then on he had only two objects in mind: firstly to escape, and secondly by his contempt for his captors and their behaviour, and his utter disregard for the treatment meted out to him, to raise the morale of his fellow-prisoners. The treatment which he received during his period of captivity is summarized in the succeeding paragraphs.

Fusilier Kinne escaped for the first time within 24 hours of capture, but was retaken a few days later while attempting to regain our own lines. Eventually he rejoined a large group of prisoners being marched north to prison camps, and despite the hardships of this march, which lasted a month, rapidly emerged as a man of outstanding leadership and very high morale. His conduct was a fine example to all his fellow-prisoners.
In July, 1952, Fusilier Kinne, who was by now well known to his captors, was accused by them of being non-co-operative and was brutally interrogated about the other P.W. who had uncooperative views. As a result of his refusal to inform on his comrades, and for striking back at a Chinese officer who assaulted him, he was twice severely beaten up and tied up for periods of 12 and 24 hours, being made to stand on tip-toe with a running noose round his neck which would throttle him if he attempted to relax in any way.

He escaped on 27th July, but was recaptured two days later. He was again beaten up very severely, and placed in handcuffs (which could be and frequently were tightened so as to restrict circulation), from which he was not released until 16th October, 1952, a period of 81 days.

He was accused of insincerity, a hostile attitude towards the Chinese, "sabotage" of compulsory political study, escape, and of being reactionary. From 15th to 20th August he was confined in a very small box cell, where he was made to sit to attention all day, being periodically beaten, prodded with bayonets, kicked and spat upon by the guards, and denied any washing facilities.
On 2oth August, 1952, he was made to stand to attention for seven hours and when he complained was beaten by the Chinese guard commander with the butt of a submachine gun, which eventually went off and killed the guard commander. For this Fusilier Kinne was beaten senseless with belts and bayonets, stripped of his clothes, and thrown into a dank rat-infested hole until 19th September. He was frequently taken out and beaten, including once (on 16th September) with pieces of planking until he was unconscious.

On 16th October Fusilier Kinne was tried by a Chinese military court for escape and for being a reactionary and hostile to the Chinese, and was sentenced to twelve months' solitary confinement. This was increased to eighteen months when he complained at his trial of denial of medical attention, including that for a severe double hernia which he had sustained in June, 1952, while training to escape.
On 5th December, 1952, he was transferred to a special penal company. His last award of solitary confinement was on 2nd June, 1953, when he was sentenced for defying Chinese orders and wearing a rosette in celebration of Coronation Day.
He was eventually exchanged at Panmunjom on 10th August, 1953. As late as 8th and 9th August he was threatened with non-repatriation for demanding an interview with the International Red Cross Representatives who were visiting prisoner-of-war camps.

Fusilier Kinne was during the course of his periods of solitary confinement kept in no less than seven different places of imprisonment, including a security police gaol, under conditions of the most extreme degradation and increasing brutality. Every possible method both physical and mental was employed by his captors to break his spirit, a task which proved utterly beyond their powers. Latterly he must have been fully aware that every time he flaunted his captors and showed openly his detestation of themselves and their methods he was risking his life. He was in fact several times threatened with death or non-repatriation. Nevertheless he was always determined to show that he was prepared neither to be intimidated nor cowed by brutal treatment at die hands of a barbarous enemy.

His powers of resistance and his determination to oppose and fight the enemy to the maximum were beyond praise. His example was an inspiration to all ranks who came into contact with him.— London Gazette, 13th April, 1954.

Edited to add that this man has just died aged 87.

tac

F—k Communists and their Pinko Brethren

quote:

and when he complained was beaten by the Chinese guard commander with the butt of a submachine gun, which eventually went off and killed the guard commander

Ha! Karma's a bitch.

That's a well-known issue amongst open-bolt submachine guns. Since they have a fixed protruding firing pin that impacts the primer as soon as the round is chambered, if the gun has the bolt forward on an empty chamber with a loaded mag inserted, then is dropped on the butt (or struck on the butt as the case may be), it's possible for inertia to cause the bolt to travel rearward far enough back to be able to pick up a round from the magazine, but not far enough to be caught and retained in the full rearward position by the sear. The recoil spring will then take over and propel the bolt forward, chambering and automatically firing the round that was inadvertently loaded.

Most open bolt SMGs were designed to include manual safety mechanisms to specifically allow the bolt to be locked in the forward position, in order to prevent such an accidental discharge from occurring. (Although that still relies on the user actually engaging the safety mechanism, of course.)

He was a hero.

Thank you for the explanation, and reminder of history!
George Cross was a hero indeed!

quote:

Originally posted by walkinghorse:
George Cross was a hero indeed!

The man's name in this story is Derek Kinne.

The British medal he was awarded is the "George Cross", named after King George VI. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cross



(It's roughly analogous to the US "Distinguished Service Cross".)

Tac: Might you have any idea why he was awarded the George Cross and not the Victoria Cross?

It seems to me he met all of the criteria for the VC, "most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy."

Not to suggest the GC is a slouch of an award, when one, the award to the island of Malta, was for the valor of thousands.

Thank you for the correction!
Evidently comprehension is not my thing this morning!
15" of snow and -10° and outdoor chores did not help!
Brave man and true hero despite my screwing up his name!

I salute and toast a man of true indomitable man.

Thank you, chaver, for sharing that.

May God Bless his memory.

Tac- is the George's Cross the same award as the Military Cross?
My Grandpa was awarded the Military Cross during the Burma Campaign.

Jolly good show!

quote:

Originally posted by sidss1:
Tac- is the George's Cross the same award as the Military Cross?
My Grandpa was awarded the Military Cross during the Burma Campaign.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...f_the_United_Kingdom

George Cross ranks #2, Military Cross #6. However earning any of them is extremely commendable.

Thanks, Tac!

A true hero in my book. God bless him, which I am sure has already happened.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
Tac: Might you have any idea why he was awarded the George Cross and not the Victoria Cross?

It seems to me he met all of the criteria for the VC, "most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy."

Not to suggest the GC is a slouch of an award, when one, the award to the island of Malta, was for the valor of thousands.

The Victoria Cross can only be awarded to a member of the Armed Forces for actions in combat, whereas the George Cross can be awarded to a civilian for any great act of bravery, as well as to a member of the military.

tac

My cousin Jack Shaw was in the Royal Irish Rifles and was captured and held prisoner in Korea. He was posted MIA and his parents greatly feared that he was dead. Almost a year later, a week before they were informed that he was still alive my Grandmother had a dream that he was coming home.

www.kildare.ie/library/ehistor...kildare_to_korea.asp