| Surname: | Moodie |
| Initials: | C A |
| Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Army Number: | 23900762 |
| Notes: | RMP. George Medal. Extract from the Birmingham Daily Post, 2/2/1966. George Medals for 3 soldiers. Three soldiers who showed complete disregard for their own safety in dealing with an explosion in a burning ammunition train at Minden Garrison, HQ, Germany, are to be awarded the George Medal for gallantry. This was reported in yesterday's London Gazette. They are L/Cpl Colin Alexander Moodie of the Royal Military Police Corps. Maj. Charles William Smith and Capt. Peter Walter Ernest Istead, both of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Extract from the Birmingham Daily Post, 6/9/1966. A Military Police hero who stole petrol because of money troubles was sentenced to 84 days detention and reduced to the ranks yesterday by a Court Martial at Warminster. He is Corporal Alexander Moodie of the Royal Corps of Military Police, Tidworth who was presented with the George Medal by the Queen at Buckingham Palace two months ago for his part in saving a glazing ammunition train at Minden, West Germany. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | George Medal (London Gazette: 43887 Page: 1158 Feb. 1, 1966) |
| Citation: | Citation: On the evening of Friday, 25th June 1965, and ammunition train expoloded in the area of Minden. The train had been stopped and four of the wagons uncoupled but the fire increased and two of the wagons exploded scattering shells over a wide area. The German Police telephoned to Minden Garrison HQ and the RMP patrol, consisting of Lance Corporal Moodie and Lance Corporal Osborn was sent to the scene.On arrival the two NCO's were stopped by a police cordon but they were allowed to go inside the area on foot and having made an appreciation they reported to their HQ by radio and asked for Ammunition Advisers to be sent to the scene. By this time two of the wagons were completely devastated and burning fiercely whilst the other two wagons were beginning to smoulder. The surrounding area was covered with burning propellant, exploded ammunition and a number of dangerously hot 90mm shells which might have exploded at any time. The girders of the burning wagons were red hot in places and there were still a number of unexploded rounds in the wreckage. There was a large civilian house with a thatched roof withing 200 yards of the accident and despite efforts of German police a number of curious civilians were inflitrating into the area. After some discussion Lance Corporal Moodie was able to persuade the fire brigade, who were in attendance, to move a fire tender nearer to the railway line so that it could play its hoses on to the burning wagons. He was beginning to supervise this operation when the Ammunition Advisers arrived and Major Smith, the Officer in Charge, took control of the situation.It was decided to move the two smouldering wagons further down the line as they were dangerously close to the large civilian house. Despite the danger of further explosions Lance Corporal Moodie instantly climbed down to the railway tracks and helped the two RAOC Officers to uncouple the third and fourth wagons, each containing about 10 tons fo 90mm ammunition, and move them clear of the danger area. He then helped the officers to handle the hoses and play water on the ammunition; subsequently he assisted in controlling a fatigue party which had been called out from Minden Garrison to dispose of the ammunition after it had been examined.Both before the officers arrived and after they had assumed control Lance Corporal Moodie acted with complete disregard for his own personal safety although he was well aware of all the dangers involved. His behaviour and bravery over a period of nearly twelve hours was in the hightest traditions of the British Army and was a fine example to the Germans and to the other British soldiers on the scene. |