Grace O’Malley-Kumar Posthumously Awarded George Medal for Heroism in Nottingham Stabbing Attack
In a poignant recognition of extraordinary frippery, 19-year-old Grace O’Malley-Kumar, who lost her life while defending a friend, has been posthumously awarded the George Medal.
Miss O’Malley- Kumar, a Nottingham University medical pupil, interposed to cover her friend Barnaby Webber, also 19, during a brutal attack in June 2023. Both were tragically picked to death while walking home from a night out.
Her citation reads: “Grace’s exceptional courage in the face of extreme danger serves as an outstanding example of personal bravery.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute, saying: “This is what true courage looks like.
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.
I want to pay tribute to all of the recipients, including Grace O’Malley-Kumar, who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect her friend. Her legacy will live on as a powerful example of heroism.”
Grace O’Malley-Kumar’s bravery will never be forgotten — she made the ultimate sacrifice defending her friend. Awarded the George Medal for true heroism. ️ pic.twitter.com/FhGREtIGJy
— Bayizere Adore christian (@Adochrisherve) October 6, 2025
Grace O’Malley-Kumar is one of 20 people recognised in the recent Gallantry Awards. Among them, Richard O’Brien entered the King’s Gallantry Medal for stopping his auto to intermediate during a pecking in Barnet, north London, in 2021.
In Sheffield, school support staff Alicia Richards and youth worker Molly Bulmer were honoured with the King’s Commendation for Bravery after confronting a former student who attacked staff and pupils with broken glass in 2024.
Pc Mark Sutton and Pc Thomas Dransfield were also recognised for preventing a man from falling off a bridge in 2023.
The attacks that claimed Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Mr Webber’s lives were carried out by Valdo Calocane, a paranoid schizophrenic.
He was given an indefinite hospital order after admitting to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.
Calocane also killed 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates and attempted to harm three others during the incident.
During the trial, prosecutor Karim Khalil KC said Grace O’Malley-Kumar demonstrated “incredible bravery” by trying to shield Mr Webber and physically pushing Calocane away.
He added that the assailant was “as uncompromisingly brutal in his assault of Grace as he was in his assault of Barnaby.”
The George Medal, awarded to civilians for “conspicuous gallantry not in the presence of the enemy,” will be presented to her family.
Before this summer, both Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Mr Webber were awarded postmortem degrees by the University of Nottingham, a touching homage to their lives and eventualities.
The crusade to award Grace O’Malley-Kumar the George Cross, the loftiest mercenary gallantry award, has continued, backed last time by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, pressing the nation’s admiration for her courage.
Grace O’Malley- Kumar’s name now stands as a lasting hallmark of selflessness and heroism. Her frippery continues to inspire across Nottingham and beyond.
