What is the Civilian Gallantry List and how are people chosen for honour?

For the first time since becoming King, Charles has chosen a list of people to be awarded for putting themselves in harm's way to save a life.

James Hockaday
·3 min read
Twins Melissa and Georgia Laurie at their home in Sandhurst in Berkshire and t photo issued by Lincolnshire Police of Pc Steve Denniss who will receive the King's Gallantry Medal.
Georgia Laurie, pictured to the right of twin sister Melissa, who she saved from a crocodile attack in Mexico, and PC Steve Denniss, who was stabbed in the leg pursuing a suspect while off duty. (PA)
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From a diplomat who saved a drowning student in China, to a twin sister who fought off a crocodile attacking her twin sister in Mexico, there are plenty of examples of selfless acts of bravery in the King's first ever Civilian Gallantry List.

Tuesday will see a number of people named for the honour, which recognises the bravery of people who’ve put themselves in danger to save, or attempt to save, someone’s life.

On this year's list is Georgia Laurie, 31, from Sandhurst in Berkshire, who punched a crocodile in the face when it attacked her twin Melissa while they were in Mexico in June 2021.

Then there's Police Constable Steven Denniss, who was off duty and walking his dogs when he encountered double-murderer Daniel Boulton, chased him, and got stabbed in the leg after grabbing the perpetrator.

Also on the list is Stephen Ellison, who was working as consul general in Chongqing, China, when he saved a drowning student who slipped on rocks and fell into the water in November 2020.

In just another example of ordinary people doing amazing things, Paul Martin, 39, is to be awarded for seizing a knife during an attack in Liverpool and staying with the victim until an ambulance arrived.

Here, Yahoo News explains the Civilian Gallantry List and what people have to do to receive the honour.

Part of the honours system, the Civilian Gallantry List is for civilians who have carried out heroic actions, put themselves in danger in the process and saved, or attempted to save, someone's life.

Last year's list of nominees, announced in March 2023, were of particular significance as they were from the final Civilian Gallantry List to be approved by Queen Elizabeth II after 70 years of awards.

This year is also special, as it will feature the first list chosen by King Charles, with new medals designed after the new monarch took to the throne.

Nominees will either be awarded the King's Gallantry Medal or The King's Commendation for Bravery.

The former is awarded for exemplary acts of bravery, where the services didn't quite meet the threshold of the George Medal or the even more exemplary George Cross, but were above the level needed for the King's Commendation.

King's Gallantry Medal
The new King's Gallantry Medal. (Cabinet Office)

If you know someone you think is worthy of this award, you can nominate them by getting in touch with the Cabinet Office.

You'll have to provide a full name, date of birth, an address and as many crucial details on the incident as possible.

The George Cross Committee which judges nominations, bases its decisions on the degree of risk, how aware the nominee was of the danger and persistence in their efforts.

Nominees must themselves have been at risk of danger, as well as the person they try to help. For this reason, some other heroic acts like resuscitation may be more properly recognised by specialist organisations or through local awards.

The incident must have taken place in the last five years for a King's Gallantry Nomination, and people can receive posthumous awards after they have died.

Awardees do not have to be British citizens, except for those receiving the George Cross.