Peter Randall (British Army soldier) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Randall
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | 20 August 1930 Fareham, Hampshire, England |
| Died | 23 April 2007 (aged 76) Leicester, England, United Kingdom |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1946–1959 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | Royal Sussex Regiment 4th Queen's Own Hussars Royal Army Veterinary Corps |
| Battles/wars | Mau Mau Uprising |
| Awards | Member of the Order of the British Empire George Medal Margaret Wheatley Cross |
Peter John Randall (born August 20, 1930 – died April 23, 2007) was a brave soldier in the British Army. He received two special awards: the George Medal and the RSPCA's Margaret Wheatley Cross. He earned these for his amazing courage on October 8, 1954. On that day, he saved a fellow soldier and a military dog from a burning truck.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the Army
Peter Randall was born on August 20, 1930. His father was also a soldier, serving in the Royal Navy during both World War I and World War II. Peter's father even received a special medal from the US President for rescuing American airmen at sea.
Peter left school when he was 14 years old. He tried different jobs before he decided to join the British Army at the age of 16.
Military Adventures
Peter's first job in the Army was as a clarinet player in a military band. He was part of the Royal Sussex Regiment. Later, he moved to a different group called the 4th Queen's Own Hussars. After he got married, he joined the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. This group works with animals in the Army. While he was stationed at Hemel Hempstead, he helped train horses for the special ceremony where Queen Elizabeth II became Queen. This was called her Coronation.
Bravery in East Africa
Peter was sent to British East Africa (which is now Kenya). He was a corporal in charge of a special unit that worked with military dogs. This was during a time of conflict called the Mau Mau Uprising.
On October 8, 1954, Peter was in a truck with ten other soldiers. They were on their way to a place called Thompson Falls. Suddenly, the truck hit a big hole in the road and flipped over! Peter and the driver, who were sitting in the front, were covered in fuel and caught fire.
The soldiers in the back of the truck managed to get out safely. Peter got out of the burning truck, but then he saw that the driver was unconscious. Peter bravely went back into the front of the truck to pull the driver to safety.
Once the driver woke up, Peter realized something important. A military dog was still chained inside the burning truck! Without thinking twice, Peter took off his burning clothes. He went back into the truck one more time to free the dog.
Awards for Courage
After this heroic act, Peter was taken to a British Military hospital in Nairobi. He had many operations because of his burns. He had special plastic boots on his feet and steel pins in his knees to help him heal.
When he was flown back to Britain, he was still in bed. He received a letter from a general telling him he would get the George Medal. This medal was for saving the truck driver. The very next month, he heard from the RSPCA. They wanted to give him the Margaret Wheatley Cross for saving the dog from the fire.
Peter received his George Medal from Queen Elizabeth II herself on December 6, 1955. He was the only person from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps to receive this medal since it was first given out in 1940.
Because of his injuries, Peter could not be sent to hot countries anymore. He left the Army in 1959.
Life After the Army
After leaving the Army, Peter worked as a gamekeeper in Lincolnshire. Then he moved back to Melton Mowbray and became a shop manager. He was also involved in his community. He became a school governor, helping to guide local schools. He was also the Chairman of the local Chamber of Trade, which helps businesses.
Later, he worked as a security officer and moved to the Isle of Wight. He eventually retired in Groby, Leicestershire. In 2000, he was given another honor: he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire. This was for his important work helping people with mental disabilities.
In 2004, Peter attended a meeting in Penang, Malaysia. He was the Chairman of a group called the Gallantry Medallists League. He was also the head of the Leicester branch of the Malaya and Borneo Veterans' Association. Sadly, while he was there, he was involved in an accident. He became very unwell and was brought back to Britain. He passed away on April 23, 2007.
Family Life
Peter Randall was married to Rose. Sadly, Rose passed away in 2006. They had a daughter and a son together.
