John Clements (GC)

John Clements GC, a schoolmaster at Sherrardswood School, Welwyn Garden City was awarded the George Cross for his heroism in rescuing others from a hotel fire at the Sappada Ski Resort in Italy on 12 April 1976. Clements died in the blaze.^[1]

He was born on 25 August 1953, in Codicote, Hertfordshire. Notice of his posthumous award appeared in The London Gazette of 7 December 1976.

His story was one of those chosen for a series of posters which appeared on the London Underground.^[2]

Citation

George Cross and its ribbon bar

"John Clements (Deceased), Teacher, Sherrardswood School, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Mr. Clements was one of a party of six adults and thirty-seven children who were staying at a ski-resort in Northern Italy on an eight day visit. At about 4 a.m. on 12th April 1976, smoke was noticed and Mr. Clements was one of those who quickly raised the alarm and ordered the children to go down-stairs. A number of children were led to safety through dense smoke by other members of the staff who, having got out of the hotel, then helped further children to escape from a first floor balcony to the ground. Meanwhile, Mr. Clements had climbed down from a third floor balcony on the West side of the building to a second floor balcony; he then reached the first floor where he organised a number of children into small groups and assisted them to escape by means of a rope he had improvised from knotted sheets. When the room was evacuated Mr. Clements refused to leave the hotel and went back into the building which in a matter of minutes was burning fiercely. He was seen on at least two occasions to go back into the hotel after carrying or dragging people out, and he ignored repeated attempts to restrain him. Mr. Clement was finally overcome by fumes and he died in the fire. Mr. Clements displayed outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty in circumstances of extreme danger. He showed no regard for his personal safety when he remained in the fiercely burning hotel in his endeavours to save those still trapped by the fire.^[3]"

References

1. "Who was John Clements?". The John Clements Sports & Community Centre. 4 January 2010. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
2. "Rail posters tell bravery stories". BBC. 8 November 2004. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
3. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 47085. p. 16447. 6 December 1976. Retrieved 2009-02-04.