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Gidden, Ernest Oliver

Date of birth:
March 15th, 1910 (Hampstead, Great Britain)
Date of death:
December 20th, 1961 (London, Great Britain)
Nationality:
British

Biography

Finally promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander.
Lieutenant-Commander Gidden's medal group was exhibited by his son on the Antiques Roadshow from Sherborne School on 2nd February 2003. The expert valued the group at £16,000.
Lieutenant-Commander Gidden was Cremated at Golders Green Crematorium, London, on the 23rd December 1961. Ashes spread at plot 4 F.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Sub-Lieutenant
Unit:
Bomb Disposal Team, HMS President, London, Royal Navy
Awarded on:
January 14th, 1941
For defusing a mine which had fallen between two houses in Harlesden in the late summer of 1940.
George Medal
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Lieutenant
Unit:
Bomb Disposal Team, HMS President, London, Royal Navy
Awarded on:
June 9th, 1942
On 17th April 1941 an unexploded mine dropped on Hungerford Bridge, London. Some trains were on fire and the Charing Cross Hotel was burning in the background. The underground trains had to be stopped and many buildings evacuated, including the War Office. Lieutenant Gidden (RNVR) arrived at the bridge shortly after dawn and found the mine lying across a live electric wire. After six hours Lieutenant Gidden managed to remove the fuse before the mine could explode. Lieutenant Gidden received the George Cross for his great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty.

George Cross
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Acting Lieutenant-Commander
Unit:
HMS Nile, Alexandria-Egypt, Royal Navy
Awarded on:
September 28th, 1943
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Sources

Photo