The George Medal awarded to Glasgow Postman Samuel Turkington

The George Medal awarded to Glasgow Postman Samuel Turkington, for his bravery in attempting to apprehend an armed robber: George Medal, George VI 2nd type (SAMUEL TURKINGTON), engraved in serif capitals, about extremely fine.

G.M. London Gazette 31/03/1953

On Wednesday, 1st October, 1952, American Albert Kilman Field (18) armed with a pistol and together with an accomplice, robbed the Post Office in Tollcross Road, Glasgow. Various individuals interfered with the robbery, and the actions of postman Samuel Turkington were particularly courageous, Turkington, of 494 Tollcross Road, heard a shot fired inside the post office, and went inside to intervene. In spite of being almost forty years older than Field, and armed only with "two saws wrapped in brown paper" against the robber's firearm, he engaged him in hand to hand fighting, knocking him down twice before Field made his escape.

The published citation describes how "Turkington, who was carrying two saws wrapped in brown paper, hit [Field] on the head with these, knocking him to the floor....The gunman got to his feet, pressed his revolver to Turkington's body and threatened to shoot him. Turkington knocked him down again and tried to take his gun away....Turkington grappled with him and a struggle ensued during which shots were fired. Eventually Turkington was thrown to the floor....The criminal ran out waving his pistol. [Turkington] gave chase for some distance."

Offered with copy research including recent photographs of the the location of the act.