A rare George Cross medal will go on display at the Museum of London Docklands, on the anniversary of the tragedy which resulted in the men being awarded the medal.
The story of the bravery which saw the men recognised with such a high honour is told in a graphic novel which will be on display alongside the medal.
On the night of 16 September 1940, at the beginning of The Blitz, German forces dropped naval mines over London for the first time. Many failed to explode, creating an imminent threat to the safety of Londoners.
Richard V Moore was one of the naval staff who volunteered to make these mines safe.
From 17-21 September, Moore, along with Lieutenant-Commander Dick Ryan and Chief Petty Officer Reginald Ellingworth, travelled across London, Essex and Kent defusing these unexploded mines.
Tragedy struck on 21 September 1940, when Moore, Ryan and Ellingworth were called to Dagenham to defuse three German mines.
While Moore tackled a mine outside a factory, Ryan and Ellingworth headed to neutralise a mine hanging from a roof in North Oval Road. Tragically, the mine exploded, killing the pair.
All three men were awarded the George Cross, Ryan and Ellingworth posthumously, for 'great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty'. Only 12 George Cross medals had been directly awarded prior to Moore’s.
Find out more on the museum's website.
