George Cross 75th Anniversary - WO Kim Hughes
87To mark the 75th anniversary of the George Cross 14 recipients of the rarely awarded gallantry medal have gathered in London.
Instituted by King George the VI on the 24th of September 1940 it's the highest such award that can be given to civilians.
For members of the Armed Forces it ranks just below the Victoria Cross (VC) and is awarded for acts of extreme bravery out with the direct field of combat.
One of those attending the ceremony was Warrant Officer Kim Hughes. He was awarded the medal after making safe over 80 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during the Afghan War.
The British Army bomb disposal expert's citation stated that he carried out "the single most outstanding act of explosive ordnance disposal ever recorded in Afghanistan."
Just 404 people have been given the George Cross, some of them posthumously awarded. The island of Malta and the Royal Ulster Constabulary have also been given the honour collectively. Malta, for withstanding repeated air raids and a naval blockade which virtually crippled the island into defeat during the Second World War.