Flt Lt Will Close-Ash, boss of 346 (Tynemouth) Sqn Air Cadets received the award for saving the lives of 7 Belgian walkers whilst leading a group of 6 air cadets on an expedition in the French Pyrenees in May. His team came across patches of blood in the snow and then discovered two Belgians walkers lying unable to move due to serious injuries and the cold.
They had fallen more than 300 feet from a ridge above. With the assistance of three of his cadets and another member of the staff, Will began to administer first aid to the men and rescue the others, precariously perched on a high ridge.
"We worked incredibly quickly to stabilise both men and treat their wounds,"
Will commented. "One of the casualties had a broken rib and punctured lung; the other a fractured arm and serious head injuries. Both men on the ground below the ridge were suffering from the onset of hypothermia and in a very bad way. They would have certainly died if not for the hard work of the cadets and my other member of staff, Flying Officer Emma Stewart."
Once both casualties were stable, the team turned their attention to the remaining five Belgians, stranded on a snow covered ridge 400 feet above them.
As team leader, the decision of what to do next rested with Will. "It was clear to me, given the condition the first two casualties were in, that any one of the men above us could also easily fall and potentially kill themselves."
Will, a trained international mountain leader, used his ice axe to hack a path up to the stricken men. This was a particularly dangerous task, as conditions underfoot were treacherous and a slip could have resulted in fatal consequences. Once there, he used his rope to bring them back down to safety, putting his own life at risk.
"The men were so relieved to see me." he recalled. "I couldn't let them climb down on their own; anyone of them could fall and become another casualty. So I tied a rope to them and began leading them down."
Once down, the French mountain rescue services arrived and the casualties were air-lifted and the remaining walkers led to safety, leaving Will and his team to return to their base camp. In all, Will and his cadets were involved in the rescue for three hours.
He received his award from the Grand Prior, Sir Brian Jenkins, at a special investiture at the Priory Headquarters in Clerkenwell, London.
The Knights Hospitaller were Knights of the Order of Saint John the Hospitaller who grew out of a brotherhood for the care of sick pilgrims in a hospital at Jerusalem following the First Crusade in 1100 AD.
The life saving medal is so rare that only one or two are awarded per year and fewer than 170 Silver medals have been awarded since they were instituted in 1874.
Will added: "I'm delighted to receive the medal and to have met Sir Glenn, but even more pleased that all of the men survived and were able to go home to their families. I'm proud of the work my cadets and staff did on the mountain that day, without whose efforts they would have died."
Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Ian Stewart, congratulated Will on his award.
"This is an extremely rare and prestigious award and he has shown great leadership, presence of mind and control under pressure. The recognition is richly deserved and his actions were in the highest traditions of the Air Training Corps and Royal Air Force."
Kieran McGrane, Principal at Bedlington High School where Will in an assistant head teacher, said: "All the staff and students are delighted that Will has received it. I'm sure the students will show their appreciation during assembly next week!"
Since the rescue all the men have made a full recovery and returned all the clothing the cadets lent them to prevent them suffering from hypothermia. Will's deputy Emma was locally honoured in Newcastle and the three cadets, Dominic Jones, James Smith and Matthew Chamberlain received "Young Lifesaver of the Year" awards.