Daughter of hero soldier, who saved Germans in daring crane rescue and was immortalised in comic, sells his George Medal to pay for her wedding

• 'It was such a difficult decision but I feel it's dad's contribution to my wedding'

The heroic story of how a British soldier single-handedly saved 10 men from a collapsed building by swinging 100ft through the air on a crane has come to light.

Sergeant Patrick Hanlon was refereeing an impromptu football match between soldiers in 1965 Germany when the top floor of a nearby biscuit factory suddenly caved in.

The Hornet comic immortalised Sergeant Hanlon's incredible bravery when he risked his life to save 10 German workers

Hearing trapped workers cry for help the quick-thinking soldier leapt into the cement bucket of a crane on a building site and ordered the German driver to winch him up.

He was lifted 100ft in the air and swung over to the debris where he plucked injured men one-by-one from the horrifying scene.

He lifted each casualty into the large bucket while he bravely clung to the outside as it was hoisted back to the ground.

Sgt Hanlon repeated the feat 12 times, rescuing 10 men alive and recovering two dead bodies.
His heroic actions were rewarded when he was decorated with George Medal.

The remarkable story was commemorated at the time with an illustration on the front page of the Hornet comic, which showed Sgt Hanlon selflessly scaling the wreckage.

Sergeant Hanlon was awarded the George Medal after his impromptu rescue effort

The medal and comic book is now being sold by his daughter Rachel Hanlon, 38, in order to help pay for her forthcoming wedding to paramedic Simon Corbett.

Rachel, whose father died aged 58 from a brain tumour 15 years ago, said: 'It was such a difficult decision and I'd hate for anyone to think I was just getting rid of them.

"I feel as if it's dad's contribution to my wedding - it won't be as good as him walking me down the aisle, of course, but I think it's what he would have wanted.

'I'm his only child and I don't have children myself, so there is no-one for me to pass them on to.
I'm so proud of him - it's a fabulous story and he was a real hero.'

The real-life tale was perfect fodder for The Hornet - the picture story comic for boys

Rachel, from East Knoyle, near Shaftesbury, Dorset, added: 'I heard the story when I was a child and dad always signed a GM after his name.

'I know he was proud of it, but he was a typical modest Brit and didn't talk about it to the family often.
It was only after he died that I saw the comic, when his sister gave it to me. It really brings the story to life and makes you realise how dramatic is actually was.

'It must have been very frightening but he was so brave and managed to rescue a lot of people.

'I'm enormously proud of what my father did and the sale will be a very sentimental time, so I really hope they will be bought by someone who appreciates them.'

Sgt Hanlon served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers for his entire career, including postings in Germany, Cyprus and Bahrain.

He was based at Celle, near Hambury, Germany, when the tragedy happened on August 28, 1965.

Sergeant Hanlon clung to the outside of the bucket so the injured men could be carried one at a time inside

Richard Bromell, from auctioneers Charterhouse of Sherborne, which is selling the medal, said: 'It's a fantastic story.

'Sgt Hanlon showed incredible bravery to do what he did.

'The cement bucket was only big enough to carry one man so he clung on to the outside of it while it descended the 100 feet to the ground.

'He carried out this manoeuvre 12 times, each time dangerously swinging on the outside of the bucket.

'Having finished, he was completely exhausted. He only found out he was a hero when he was Gazetted in 1966.'

The auction house say the memorabilia should raise around £3,000

Sgt Hanlon retired from the army in 1983, when Rachel was aged 10, after reaching the position of colour sergeant.

He is survived by his daughter and his 67-year-old ex-wife, Sue, who now run a family jewellery business together in Warminster, Wilts.

The George Medal is granted to civilians and military personnel for great acts of bravery, and is second only to the George Cross.

Sgt Hanlon received it from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on March 15, 1966, and said afterwards it was a marvellous honour for himself and his regiment.

The collection, which also includes two photographs of Sgt Hanlon and a newspaper cutting, is expected to fetch £3,000 when it goes under the hammer on March 25.