Arthur Bagot Arthur Gerald Bagot GC , DSC ( 26 April 1888 – 12 November 1979 ) was an Australian recipient of the Albert Medal , formerly the highest decoration for gallantry awarded to civilians or to military personnel for actions " not in the face of the enemy " in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth . Bagot was awarded the Albert Medal in 1918 for his actions in removing depth charge s from HM Motor Launch 356 after its engine room exploded , despite the flames , thus preventing a further explosion . With the establishment of the George Cross , the Albert Medal was discontinued and , in 1971 , living recipients of the decoration were invited to exchange their medal for the George Cross ; Bagot took up the offer and formally became a recipient of the George Cross . Early life . Bagot was born on 26 April 1888 , in Adelaide , South Australia . He was educated at St Peter ' s Grammar and Geelong Grammar School , before his family moved to Canada . First World War . Living in Vancouver , Bagot enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1916 for service in the First World War . Commissioned as a temporary sub - lieutenant , he was promoted to temporary lieutenant on 10 September 1917 . On 12 April 1918 , the engine room of HM Motor Launch 356 exploded at Dunkirk quay , and the forward petrol tanks burst into flames . Several of the launch ' s crew were blown overboard by the explosion , while the remainder were driven off by the fire . Flames soon began to issue forth from the cabin , and burning petrol spread on the surface of the water . As others proceeded to flee the scene , Bagot , along with Lieutenant Robin Hoare , realised the fire was threatening the aft petrol tanks and the depth charge s located on board the launch . Jumping in a dinghy , the pair rowed out towards the blaze . On reaching the wreck , Bagot and Hoare removed the depth charges despite the flames ; thus preventing any further explosion . For their actions during the engagement , both Bagot and Hoare were awarded the Albert Medal . The announcement and accompanying citation for the award was published in the " London Gazette " on 20 August 1918 , reading : Appointed second - in - command of Motor Launch 283 , Bagot was in action at the First Ostend Raid on 23 April 1918 . Throughout the operation , the launch conducted duties of rescuing officers and men from HMS " Brilliant " and " Sirius " . Praised for his " great coolness under fire " during the engagement , Bagot was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross . The notification of the award was published in a supplement to the " London Gazette " on 23 July 1918 . On 28 August 1918 , Bagot was Mentioned in Despatches for " valuable services in action . . . off the enemy coast " . In March 1919 , he was promoted to the substantive rank of lieutenant , which was made retrospective to 15 February 1918 . Later life . Following the conclusion of the war , Bagot re - settled in Canada for a few years . Returning to Australia , he took up a mixed farming property near Piawaning , Western Australia , during 1925 . In 1938 , Bagot married Noel Irene Harris . At the outbreak of the Second World War , Bagot enlisted in the Citizens Military Force on 25 April 1942 . Posted to the 9th Battalion , Volunteer Defence Corps , he served in Australia with the unit until his discharge on 15 October 1945 , with the rank of captain . On retiring , Bagot and his wife moved to Perth in 1962 . During 1971 , the British Government announced that all living recipients of the Albert Medal and Edward Medal would in future be treated as recipients of the George Cross , and were invited to exchange their medals for the latter award . As such , those who wished to exchange their insignia were invited to attend an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace to receive their George Crosses . Bagot was not fit enough to travel to London , and requested the medal be forwarded to him by registered mail . The medal was subsequently sent to the Governor of Western Australia , who presented it to Bagot on 26 November 1972 . Aged 91 , Bagot died on 12 November 1979 ; his wife had predeceased him by seven months . Bagot was a first cousin of Lanoe Hawker , a First World War pilot and Victoria Cross recipient .