Arthur Bagot

Arthur Gerald Bagot, (26 April 1888 – 12 November 1979) was an Australian naval officer and farmer. He was an exchange recipient of the George Cross, the highest civil decoration for heroism in the United Kingdom and formerly in the Commonwealth. In 1918, while serving as a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the First World War, Bagot and Lieutenant Robin Hoare battled flames to remove depth charges from ML 356 after its engine room had exploded. The pair were credited with preventing a further explosion and thus potential casualties, and were subsequently awarded the Albert Medal. In 1971, the British Government announced that the Albert Medal would be discontinued and living recipients would henceforth be regarded as holders of the George Cross. The change came into effect from 21 October, and living recipients were accordingly invited to exchange their medals; Bagot took up the offer. Early life and family Arthur Gerald Bagot was born on 26 April 1888 in Adelaide, South Australia. He was the sixth of ten children to Christopher Michael Bagot, a sheep farmer and station owner, and Eleanor Mary (née Hawker). The family home was in Largs Bay. Bagot belonged to a distinguished family: he was a great-grandson of Admiral Edward Hawker and of pastoralist Charles Hervey Bagot, a grandson of settler and politician George Charles Hawker, and a first cousin of Lanoe Hawker, a flying ace and Victoria Cross recipient of the First World War. Bagot and his four brothers were educated at St Peter's College, Adelaide, before Arthur went on to Geelong Grammar School from 1903 to 1907. At Geelong Bagot was active in sporting and extracurricular activities. He participated in sprint, high jump, pole vault and long jump events at the United Public School Sports, an annual athletic competition between five prestigious Victorian public schools, and set a new record in the hurdles in 1907. Bagot also rose to sergeant in the local Australian Army Cadets unit, and was a school prefect in his final year. As Baggot's father had died in 1899, the remaining family moved to Canada in 1907 and settled near Vancouver, where they were to largely remain until 1925. First World War In 1916 Bagot joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve from Canada for service in the First World War.