b. ? 1879 Dorset. d. 31/08/1917 Scilly Isles.
DATE OF EM ACTION: 31/08/1917 Scilly Isles.
Little is known about George Gale, other than that he was born in 1879 probably in Dorset. He worked for the Admiralty as a foreman based in Portland. Following his death off the Scilly Isles, he was buried in Portland on 4th September 1917.
EM CITATION:
On the 31st of August, 1917, during salvage operations on board the steamship “Great City,” the holds of which were known to be heavily charged with gas arising from decomposing grain, one of the stevedore’s men noticed some pieces of wood floating towards the pump and, contrary to strict orders, went down in order to pick the wood up so as to prevent the pump from choking. While in the act of doing this, he was overcome by gas and fell into the water. Anderson, who had some time previously suffered from gas poisoning, and, therefore, knew the gravity of the risk, at once went to his assistance and succeeded in holding him up while a rope was being sent down to him, but before this could reach him he was also overcome and fell into the water. Tierney and Gale then went to the rescue, but both were also overcome. Anderson, Tierney and Gale undoubtedly lost their lives in an endeavour to save the lives of their fellow workman.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN IN PORTLAND, DORSET.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.