One of the victims of the Nottingham attacks, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, is set to receive the George Medal posthumously for her remarkable bravery and selflessness after making what has been described as the “ultimate sacrifice” to protect her friend.
The 19-year-old medical student from east London tried to defend her friend, Barnaby Webber, also 19, when both were fatally stabbed by paranoid schizophrenic Valdo Calocane in Nottingham on 13 June 2023.
She is among 20 people honoured in the latest list of civilian gallantry awards, and one of four receiving the recognition posthumously.
Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, paid tribute to the award recipients, singling out Ms O’Malley-Kumar for her courage and sacrifice. “This is what true courage looks like,” he said.
“In moments of unimaginable danger, these extraordinary people acted with selflessness and bravery that speaks to the very best of who we are as a nation.
“We owe each of them – and their families – our deepest thanks.
Their actions remind us of the strength and compassion that run through our communities.”
University of Nottingham students Ms O’Malley-Kumar and Mr Webber were returning to their student accommodation after a night out when they were attacked on Ilkeston Road shortly after 4:00am.
Prosecutor Karim Khalil KC told the court in January 2024, when Calocane pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, that Mr Webber had been stabbed repeatedly with a dagger, causing “grave injuries” before collapsing.
He said Ms O’Malley-Kumar displayed “incredible bravery” as she attempted to protect her friend, pushing and fighting Calocane into the road.
The assailant, however, turned on her with equal brutality. Her wounds were too severe, and she collapsed while Mr Webber, already on the ground, tried desperately to fend off the attacker before Calocane “calmly” walked away.
Calocane later murdered school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, by repeatedly stabbing him and stealing his van, which he then used to drive into three pedestrians, Wayne Birkett, Marcin Gawronski, and Sharon Miller, all of whom sustained serious injuries.
He was sentenced to a hospital order in January 2024 after pleading guilty to three counts of manslaughter and three counts of attempted murder.
The George Medal, Britain’s second-highest civilian bravery award after the George Cross, is reserved for “conspicuous gallantry not in the presence of the enemy.”
Posthumous awards are presented to relatives by the King or another member of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace.
The official citation for Ms O’Malley-Kumar states, “Grace O’Malley-Kumar was walking home to student accommodation in Nottingham with her friend, Barnaby Webber, when they were approached by a man with a large knife.
“He carried out a sudden attack on Barnaby, leading Grace to intervene in order to restrain the assailant in an attempt to stop the attack.
“This led to the assailant attacking Grace with the knife, who continued to fight the attacker until she fell to the floor having sustained multiple injuries.
“Tragically, Grace and Barnaby both passed away as a result of their injuries from the attack.
“Grace’s exceptional courage in the face of extreme danger serves as an outstanding example of personal bravery.”
