George cross recipient. On 13th January 1940, an explosion ripped through the no. 5 mixing house, killing the three men working there as well as two men working in no. 20 stove nearby. Leo O'Hagen, Stanley Sewell and George Sylvester were working in no. 2 washing house only 150yds from the explosion, which damaged the hot water and air services, where over 1,000lbs of unstable nitroglycerine was being processed. The three men stood by their post for some two hours until the services were restored and then continued their work until the whole charge had been brought to a state of stability. During this time there were further explosions. Had they fled for safety, it is highly probable that the whole charge of nitroglycerine under their care would have exploded, killing many more people. George, as well as Stanley Sewell and Leo O'Hagen was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal of the Civil Division on 6th February 1940, which was exchanged for the new George Cross following its creation in September 1940. Following the explosion, George decided to move to Wrexham in North Wales and began work at the new Royal Ordnance Factory there and remained in the town for the rest of his life. When the ROF closed down, he moved to work for Monsanto with which he stayed until his retirement. Due to the extreme dermatitis he was suffering from due to the chemicals he worked with, he finished his working life in the Social Services Department.
George cross recipient. On 13th January 1940, an explosion ripped through the no. 5 mixing house, killing the three men working there as well as two men working in no. 20 stove nearby. Leo O'Hagen, Stanley Sewell and George Sylvester were working in no. 2 washing house only 150yds from the explosion, which damaged the hot water and air services, where over 1,000lbs of unstable nitroglycerine was being processed. The three men stood by their post for some two hours until the services were restored and then continued their work until the whole charge had been brought to a state of stability. During this time there were further explosions. Had they fled for safety, it is highly probable that the whole charge of nitroglycerine under their care would have exploded, killing many more people. George, as well as Stanley Sewell and Leo O'Hagen was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal of the Civil Division on 6th February 1940, which was exchanged for the new George Cross following its creation in September 1940. Following the explosion, George decided to move to Wrexham in North Wales and began work at the new Royal Ordnance Factory there and remained in the town for the rest of his life. When the ROF closed down, he moved to work for Monsanto with which he stayed until his retirement. Due to the extreme dermatitis he was suffering from due to the chemicals he worked with, he finished his working life in the Social Services Department.
Bio by: Paul Barnett
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