Monks, John Richard

Date of birth:: October 9th, 1911 (Bolton/Lancashire, Great Britain)
Date of death:: December 14th, 1985 (Bolton/Greater Manchester, Great Britain)
Service number:: 141038
Nationality:: British

Biography

John Monks obtained a degree in Medicine at Manchester University and qualified as a Doctor in 1937, being then appointed House Physician at Manchester Infirmary, before joining his father's medical practice in Bolton.
With the outbreak of the Second World War, Monks volunteered and was commissioned on 11th July 1940 as a Lieutenant into the Royal Army Medical Corps, and served as a Doctor based in the port area of Liverpool at the time of the Liverpool Blitz during 1940 to 1941
After the war Monks returned to his father's practice, eventually taking it over, and also got involved in local politics as a Conservative, representing Church Ward in Bolton from 1947 as Alderman, and was ultimately appointed Mayor of Bolton from 1970 to 1971, following in the footsteps of his father. As Mayor he inaugurated the Jumbles Reservoir at Turton on 11th March 1971, and was eventually appointed Honorary Alderman in 1974.

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George Medal

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: Royal Army Medical Corps
Awarded on:: February 11th, 1941

Recommendation:
"On the night of the 26/27th September 1940, enemy aircraft attacked the Port of Liverpool, and in the course of the attack struck one of the grain silos at Brunswick Dock by incendiary bombs and set it on fire at the top. At the same time, the silo was hit by a high explosive bomb which entered the basement. This also caused a fire to break out, and the silo was alight born at the top and at the bottom. At approximately 1.45 am it was brought to the notice if Lieutenant Monks that a number of men who were sheltering in the basement of the grain silo had been severely injured and were trapped by falling debris, and in danger of being burnt to death by the fire then raging in the basement. The only means of access to the basement was by means of a rope ladder. Lieutenant Monks, at grave risk, without hesitation, entered the basement by means of a rope ladder and proceeded to release the men trapped, attended temporarily to their injuries, and tied them on stretchers which were hauled by means of a rope to the ground floor above. When he thought the basement was clear he left it, but on arrivel on the ground floor was informed that there was still a further man trapped in the basement. He again entered the basement, located the injured person, and affected his rescue. At this time the basement was burning furiously and debris falling all around him. This act of gallantry, undertaken at serious personal risk, was undoubtedly the means of saving the lives of at least half a dozen men."

Sources

- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35072 published on the 7 February 1941
- The London Medal Company