David Broadfoot


David Broadfoot GC was a Scottish seaman awarded the George Cross for his bravery during the sinking of the.
He was born in Stranraer, Scotland. By 1917, he had gained a radio license and later qualified as a ship's Radio Officer. In this capacity, he served in merchant navy during both World War I and World War II.
In October 1950, he joined the crew of the. He was serving on board the ship on 31 January 1953, when it sank in the North Channel in the worst maritime disaster in United Kingdom waters since World War II. Broadfoot remained at his post while the ship was sinking, sending messages to shore stations to enable them to locate the ship. He was posthumously awarded the George Cross, the highest award for bravery to British civilians.
In 1999, his grandchildren donated the George Cross to the Stranraer town museum, where it is now on display along with other memorabilia from the sinking.

George Cross Citation


Grave

His gravestone is in the Inch Parish Churchyard in Inch, Scotland; several memorials of the disaster are located on both sides of the North Channel.