The Millwall fan who fought off knife-wielding terrorists during the 2017 London Bridge Attack will finally receive a bravery medal.
Roy Larner, 54, famously roared ‘f*ck you, I’m Millwall’ while throwing punches at three steroid-using jihadis who slashed at him while wearing fake suicide belts.
Despite almost dying from his injuries, Roy has never received official recognition. But now, the late Queen’s cousin Princess Alexandra, president of the Royal Humane Society, has personally approved Roy’s Silver Medal for bravery.
Roy said: “After six years, it’s crazy how things are coming together. The six-year anniversary of the attack is in three weeks and people are recognising what I did now. These things take time – you’ve got to keep fighting.”
At 9.58pm on June 3, 2017, three assailants armed with twelve-inch kitchen knives plowed a van into innocent people on London Bridge, before launching a frenzied stab attack around Borough Market.
They encountered Roy at the Black & Blue bar who, rather than run, fought the attackers – doubtlessly saving the lives of several others.
Eight people were killed and 48 injured during the attacks that night.
Many people have received gallantry awards, including George Medals, for their bravery during the attack – but Roy has always been passed over.
However, he has been involved in several racist incidents which is likely why he has never received an award.
These include convictions for racially-aggravated common assault and religiously-aggravated harassment for an expletive rant in his local MP Neil Coyle’s office.
Roy has expressed remorse for his actions which he says were “wrong” – but he still feels he’s been “airbrushed” from the history of the attacks.
Roy said: “I’m not perfect but what I’ve done probably makes up for those things.”
“Two police officers got medals, just for keeping them at bay. I was the one getting stabbed to pieces,” he previously told the News.
Roy also highlighted that even convicted murderer Steve Gallant, 43, who used a narwhal tusk to fend off terrorist Usman Khan in 2019, received a Queen’s Gallantry Medal.
Andrew Chapman, Secretary of the Society, said: “To say what Roy did was heroic would almost be an understatement. He put his life on the line to give others a chance to flee from the restaurant.
“He confronted three terrorists who had already killed and maimed countless other people and he must have known they would kill him if they could.”
The Royal Humane Society Silver Award is one of the UK’s oldest and most prestigious bravery awards.
Roy still hopes to one day receive the ultimate recognition – the George Cross – and is now seeing nominations pour in.
Reflecting on the attack six years later, Roy said: “I’m in a much better place now I’m still getting stopped in the streets all the time – at least I can talk to people about it rather than avoiding the subject. I’ve done something good – I should be proud of it.”
To commemorate the attack’s six-year anniversary, Roy said he will return to the Black & Blue bar for drinks with his mates on June 3.
About blooming time!