Driver Joseph Hughes of the Royal Army Service Corps

Royal Army Service Corps

The Royal Army Service Corps was a corps of the British Army. It was responsible for land, coastal and lake transport; air despatch; supply of food, water, fuel, and general domestic stores such as clothing, furniture and stationery ; administration of...

 was awarded 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 gallantry he displayed on the 21st of March, 1946 in Lyemun Barracks in Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

. Notice of his award appeared 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...

 of the 26th of June, 1947. http://www.rascrctassociation.co.uk/hughes.html

The 19 year old was driving a 3 ton truck full of cleared ammunition and explosives into the magazine area when it caught fire. Knowing it could explode at any moment, he tried to remove the burning camouflage netting and when that failed, tackled the developing blaze with fire extinguishers. Despite his efforts the lorry exploded and Hughes died two days later of his wounds.

A plaque containing a replica of his medal and summary of his action hangs in the St. Francis Centre in the Gorbals

Gorbals

The Gorbals is an area on the south bank of the River Clyde in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. By the late 19th century, it had become over-populated and adversely affected by local industrialisation. Many people lived here because their jobs provided this home and they could not afford their own...

 in Glasgow

Glasgow

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...

, where Hughes was born. http://www.gorbalslive.org.uk/data/about/people.htm