Hubert Dinwoodie
Encyclopedia
Wing Commander
Hubert Dinwoodie GC
, OBE
, MC
(24 March 1896 - 28 August 1968), was a recipient of the George Cross
for the heroism he displayed on 20 August 1946 in defusing bombs in the port of Lübeck
while on attachment to the 5140 Bomb Disposal Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
.
High explosive bombs were being loaded onto barges for disposal at sea when a 50 kg bomb was dropped and exploded, killing 6 and injuring 12. Two train loads of bombs were ready for loading and the port area, in the centre of the town, was evacuated. Squadron Leader Dinwoodie and Corporal Garry Garred were sent to the scene and defused one of the remaining bombs in the batch to discover that a faulty fuse had caused the accident. They rendered the remaining 11 bombs safe when another explosion would have not only killed them but set off the bomb laden trains and devastated the town centre. The citation in the London Gazette
praised Dinwoodie for the cold blooded heroism and initiative he displayed in extremely critical circumstances. Garred was awarded the George Medal
.
Dinwoodie was born on March 24, 1896 in Bournemouth
, and died on August 28, 1968.
In the First World War he won the MC whilst serving with the 3rd Dorset Rgt. (attached to trench mortar battery). He became an observer in the RAF in 1918.
Hubert's medals and some photographs are held by the RAF Museum at Hendon, London.
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
Hubert Dinwoodie GC
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
, OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(24 March 1896 - 28 August 1968), was a recipient of the George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
for the heroism he displayed on 20 August 1946 in defusing bombs in the port of Lübeck
Lübeck
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck is the second-largest city in Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany, and one of the major ports of Germany. It was for several centuries the "capital" of the Hanseatic League and, because of its Brick Gothic architectural heritage, is listed by UNESCO as a World...
while on attachment to the 5140 Bomb Disposal Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve consists of a number of groupings of individual military reservists for the management and operation of the Royal Air Force's Air Training Corps and CCF Air Cadet formations, Volunteer Gliding Squadrons , Air Experience Flights, and also to form the...
.
High explosive bombs were being loaded onto barges for disposal at sea when a 50 kg bomb was dropped and exploded, killing 6 and injuring 12. Two train loads of bombs were ready for loading and the port area, in the centre of the town, was evacuated. Squadron Leader Dinwoodie and Corporal Garry Garred were sent to the scene and defused one of the remaining bombs in the batch to discover that a faulty fuse had caused the accident. They rendered the remaining 11 bombs safe when another explosion would have not only killed them but set off the bomb laden trains and devastated the town centre. The citation in the London Gazette
London Gazette
The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the British government, and the most important among such official journals in the United Kingdom, in which certain statutory notices are required to be published...
praised Dinwoodie for the cold blooded heroism and initiative he displayed in extremely critical circumstances. Garred was awarded the George Medal
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
.
Dinwoodie was born on March 24, 1896 in Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
, and died on August 28, 1968.
In the First World War he won the MC whilst serving with the 3rd Dorset Rgt. (attached to trench mortar battery). He became an observer in the RAF in 1918.
Hubert's medals and some photographs are held by the RAF Museum at Hendon, London.