A convicted murderer who tackled a terrorist during the 2019 London Bridge attack is among those being awarded for their bravery.
Steven Gallant confronted terrorist Usman Khan as he carried out his attack at a prison education conference at Fishmongers’ Hall.
The attack occurred while Mr Gallant was on licence from prison after being one of two men convicted of killing Barrie Jackson in Hull in 2005.
Khan murdered Cambridge graduates Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, and injured three other people before running on to London Bridge.
Another former prisoner, John Crilly, hosed Khan with a fire extinguisher before communications manager, Darryn Frost, jabbed him with a narwhal tusk, sending him off balance.
This came after a fourth man, Lukasz Koczocik, used a ceremonial long pike taken from the walls of Grade II listed Fishmongers’ Hall to disarm the terrorist.
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Bystanders chase Usman Khan with narwhal tusk
Mr Gallant, Mr Crilly, Mr Frost and Mr Koczocik all feature on this year’s Civilian Gallantry list, the last to be approved by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Prison officer Adam Roberts, who escorted Mr Gallant to the event on day release, also features on the list, having given first aid to Ms Jones after she was stabbed.
Saskia Jones was killed by terrorist Usman Khan
Read more:
Harrowing accounts of Usman Khan’s deadly rampage
Man who fought off terrorist says authorities have ‘blood on their hands’
Mr Roberts said that it was “really important” for everybody that contributed to be recognised in some way.
He said: “I feel sort of mixed, it’s very difficult to celebrate when it’s for something that had an outcome that was so bad.
“It finished with Saskia literally dying in front of me as we tried to keep her alive, so it’s really difficult to celebrate at all when my thoughts are with her.”
Also on the list is John Rees who was killed as he attempted to stop a mentally ill woman carrying out a knife attack in a Co-op shop in May 2020.
The 88-year-old was stabbed and bludgeoned with two wine bottles and a fire extinguisher during the attack in South Wales.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, said they were all “extremely worthy winners”.
He said: “We all hope we’d react with courage in the face of danger. These people have lived through that test, and responded in the most admirable way.
“Their selfless actions have saved lives, and I want to express profound thanks for their willingness to put themselves in danger to protect others.”
