The Untold

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The Untold: Ron and his Royal Medal

Ron and his Royal Medal

BBC Radio 4 - The Untold, Ron and his Royal Medal

In the 1970s, Ron accidentally saved Princess Anne. Now he’s decided to sell his medal.

In the 1970s, Ron – a boxer and manager of a cleaning company – accidentally saved Princess Anne. Now, after years of health problems, he’s decided to sell his George medal.

In the 1970s, Ronnie Russell accidentally saved Princess Anne.

Ron was a heavyweight boxer –  6’4” with “very large” hands – who had grown up in the East End and learnt to box at the Kray twins’ gym. 

He was travelling back from his job as a manager of a cleaning firm when he passed a car with a blue light, and witnessed another car stop in front of it. He knew the blue light meant it had a royal passenger. He thought it was a case of road rage and was concerned that the person about to lose their rag didn’t realise the trouble they would soon be in. 

“If I see someone in trouble, I always think I’m a good person to stop it.”

And so he got out of his car and went over to intervene – and that is when he saw the man pull a gun out. The man was Ian Ball, and he was attempting to kidnap the Princess Royal. He managed to shoot four people, before Ron got to him and knocked him out.

The Queen awarded him the George Medal – the highest award for civilian gallantry. But now, at the age of 72, and following ten years of health problems, Ron has decided to sell the medal in order to give him a secure future. 

It’s not just the money he wants. At the time, he wasn’t allowed to speak to the press, and he feels some things were misreported.  He wants the chance to tell his story. But he gets more than he bargained for – the news that he is to sell his medal, results in a media frenzy, and in the middle of this, good Samaritans start crowdfunding for him, and benefactors come forward offering to give him the money he needs for his future so he can keep it. What will he do?

Produced by Polly Weston

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