Quick Facts
Biography
William (Liam) Alfred Hackett is a retired London firefighter and recipient of the Life Saving Medal of the Order of St John.
He was awarded the London Fire Brigade's highest gallantry award,The Chief Officers Commendation in 1990 and the Life Saving Medal of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem on 6 February 1991 for a rescue he performed on December 23, 1989, whilst serving in the London Fire Brigade..
"...The harrowing rescue had serious consequences.....he was diagnosed as suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,and he was medically retired from the Brigade...."
"The London Fire Brigade's highest gallantry award was a Chief Officer's Commendation,next came a Chief Officer's Letter of Congratulations.In either case an individual had demonstrated exceptional courage and bravery working in a hostile and dangerous environment........."
"The Life Saving Medal of the Order of St John (‘the Life Saving Medal’) was instituted in 1874,to enable the Order to honour those who saved, or attempted to save, the life of and [Sic] another and who placed themselves at imminent personal risk in doing so...."
He was admitted as a Serving Brother, (Member) into the Priory of Scotland, of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in January 2013; Gazetted in the London Gazette on the 15th January 2013.
He is believed to be the first member of the Order of St John in Scotland to hold the Life Saving Medal of the Order of St John .
On the 17th September 2010 he was admitted into the Worshipful Company of Firefighters and granted The Freedom of the City of London.
For his voluntary work with the Companions of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in Glasgow.Scotland, he was invested into the Order pro Merito Melitensi, in the grade of Silver Medal, on the feast of St John, held in the Brompton Oratory Church in London on the 24th June 2016.