Herbert Cecil Pugh was a Chaplain and the only clergyman to have received the George Cross. A South African native, Pough served in the First World War as a medic in France for the . After the Great War Pugh went to England.

When the Second World War broke out he became a RAF Chaplain with the rank of Squadron Leader. He was then posted on the SS Anselm. Anselm was a cargo and passenger liner converted into a troop ship. Her capacity was meant for 500 troops but on July 5th 1941 she was overloaded with about 1,200 British Soldiers, Airmen and Marines. The men were on their way to serve in the .

Not far from the Canary Islands, a torpedo struck the SS Anselm on the port side. The explosion caused extensive damage below decks where the enlisted men were accommodated.

Pugh was on the main deck tending the wounded and helped launching lifeboats when he got the attention of his fellow airmen injured and trapped in one of the converted holds. He asked to lower him on a rope into the hold. He simply explained that he must be where his men were. The Marines tried to dissuade him but complied as he insisted. He must have known that it meant certain death to rappel down, in view of the fact that the hold was three parts full of water already. Water was still gushing in. Once in the hold he knelt to pray. The water was reaching his shoulders.

SS Anselm sank 22 minutes after being hit. Pough was never seen again.

In 1947 his bravery and dedication was honored with the George Cross. It is said that King George VI personally presented the medal to Pough's widow Amy at Christ Church, Friern Barnet, London where Pugh had been a pastor for 12 years.