Story of hero diplomat who died winning 2nd bravery medal unveiled after gongs found

The story of how a diplomat died after throwing himself on a grenade to save VIPs has emerged with the discovery of his bravery medals in an old box.

Second World War veteran George Henderson is one of just 27 men awarded two George Medals.

The first was in 1956, when he tackled 10 Arab tribesmen firing on a diplomatic car in Aden.

The second was posthumous after he was fatally wounded in his 1963 grenade heroics, at 42.

Daughter Georgina only learned recently, when she inherited a box of keepsakes and found his medals and letters from Buckingham Palace. They are set to fetch £15,000 at auction.

George Henderson's first bravery medal was in 1956, when he tackled 10 Arab tribesmen firing on a diplomatic car in Aden (Georgina Henderson/BNPS)

Miss Henderson, 56, of Hastings, East Sussex, said: “His story needs to be out there. He was an amazing and brave man.”