George Medal (G.M.) Geo. VI.
2nd type (“Fid Def”)

Awarded to
(Postman, Shettleston, Glasgow)

For gallantry during a post office hold-up in Glasgow. For their actions in the same incident, A. McNiven (Glasgow Police), B. Watson (Glasgow Police) and J. Plenderleith (Sub-Postmaster), were all awarded the B.E.M. L/G 31-3-1953. “Mr. Plenderleith was alone in his sub-Post Office in Tollcross Road, Glasgow, when two men entered. One confronted Plenderleith with an automatic pistol and demanded money and the other man alsomenaced him. The two men then went behind the counter and jostled the Sub-Postmaster towards the back shop. Plenderleith attempted to prevent the second man from grabbing some money from the safe, which was open, but the first man caught hold of his collar and thrust him into the back shop. There he switched on the Post Office alarm bell and immediately made his way back into the front shop where one of the men fired a shot at him at point blank range but fortunately missed. The other man at this point left the premises. Mr. Turkington, who had heard the shot, entered the Post Office and as the remaining intruder made for the door, Turkington, who was carrying two saws wrapped in brown paper, hit him on the head with these, knocking him to the floor. Plenderleith ran outside, held the door shut and shouted for help. 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, but the man regained his feet. Turkington grappled with him and a struggle ensued during which shots were fired. Eventually Turkington was thrown to the floor: while he was struggling to rise, the intruder fired more shots at the door lock and Plenderleith, who was outside, jumped back, slightly wounded below the knee. The criminal ran out waving his pistol followed by Turkington and Plenderleith who both gave chase for some distance but had to give up.

While a number of people continued the pursuit, a Post Office van picked up Constables McNiven and Watson and took them to where the man was holding an old lady in front of him and pointing his gun at his pursuers who were standing a few yards from him. The Constables left the van and went forward. Constable McNiven told the man to hand over his gun, while Constable Watson got the old lady away from the man, who began to back away, pointing the gun at the Constables. Although they knew that they were dealing with a desperate armed criminal, McNiven and Watson pursued the man, despite his threats to shoot them and eventually succeeded in overpowering and arresting him”.
(EF) £5450