Harry Booton tells the story of the only minister to receive the George Cross

I have always been fascinated by military history, and especially the history of medals and how they are won. Recently, I gave a lecture on ‘Christian leadership on the front lines’ to students studying on the Congregational Institute for Practical Theology Foundation Degree Course. I researched Christian leaders – mostly military padres who had been awarded gallantry medals – and the citations that explain how they won them.

One of them, the Revd Herbert Cecil Pugh GC, known to his family as Cecil, was a Congregational minister making him unique among those who have been awarded the George Cross…

Harry Booton is Congregational Federation’s Youth Ambassador, and a URC Youth Assembly guest

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This is an extract from an article published in the Issue 4 – 2025 edition of Reform

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