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Two bus workers have been awarded MBEs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for their bravery during last year’s riots in London.
Kenneth Martin and Peter Middleton were honoured for going above and beyond the call of duty, a Transport for London spokesman said.
Mr Martin, 51, a night traffic controller for London Buses, helped passengers and drivers to safety during the height of the disturbances in Brixton even after his own vehicle had come under attack.
A masked youth during the London riots summer 2011. The two bus workers were honoured for going 'above and beyond their duties'
He recovered a number of abandoned buses in the area, returning them to garages, which prevented them from being damaged in the street.
The TfL spokesman said: ‘Through his actions, he provided a remarkable service to London’s buses and bus passengers.’
Mr Middleton, from Waltham Forest, north east London, was injured when the peaceful demonstration outside Tottenham Police Station escalated, the TfL spokesman said.
'Despite this, he returned to Arriva's Tottenham bus garage where he took charge and organised other controllers in moving buses away from the disturbances as they spread, while keeping the bus services running," he said.
Tottenham Metropolitan Police station where a peaceful protest went out of hand during the London riots
'He set an outstanding example and performed a crucial role in a very challenging situation, putting himself at risk to ensure the safety of others.'
Mr Middleton, who has worked for Arriva for 29 years, said: 'It is a real honour to receive this award. I really feel that I am accepting this for all my colleagues who were working that evening.'
The TfL spokesman went on: ‘He performed a crucial role in a very challenging situation, putting himself at risk to ensure the safety of others.’
Mr Martin, from Kent, said: 'I am overwhelmed to be awarded an MBE and would like to share it with all my colleagues who worked so hard to keep passengers safe and London moving during such a difficult time'
Peter Hendy CBE, Transport for London's commissioner, said: ‘The honours are both a well-deserved recognition of the actions and efforts of the individuals concerned, and also of their colleagues throughout the network.
‘I am proud beyond measure of the staff of TfL and our contractors who maintained our services through the worst civil disturbances in living memory.
‘They demonstrated courage and professionalism, and through determination and bravery, they managed to keep the city moving and our users safe.
‘TfL and London carried on because of the heroic actions of individuals such as Kenneth and Peter and I congratulate them on their awards.’
And the Queen hands out medals to her family as if there were just a sweetie and for what !!!!!
- Joan McTigue, Middlesbrough Cleveland, 17/6/2012 12:55
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