Posthumous gallantry honour for comedy promoter

The comedy promoter who died on an Arctic expedition has been honoured for sacrificing his life to protect the other members of his group.

Philip Goodeve-Docker, who ran the Purple Cactus  company, died in Greenland in April 2013 while trying to cross more than 350 miles of barren landscape with two colleagues.

And yesterday he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Civilian Gallantry List.

His citation explains how he used his body to protect the others against the full force of an ine storm that engulfed them.

It read:

‘On the second day, a storm struck with winds of up to 175 miles per hour and the expedition became a fight for survival for the next 40 hours as the extreme conditions worsened and the temperature dropped to -70C. The storm smashed their tent and for 17 hours the team fought against the encroaching snow and ice. 

‘As part of that effort they needed to reduce the build-up of snow to prevent suffocation and being crushed. Goodeve-Docker and another member of the team lay on their backs regularly kicking at the sides of the tent to reduce the build up from within, whilst the team leader went outside to reduce the build-up externally. 

‘A rear porch to the tent had been prepared as the next place of protection by digging out a hollow in the bottom of the porch. When the inner compartment finally collapsed, they all squeezed into the rear porch for the next 19 hours when the last of the tent finally disintegrated, leaving no overhead shelter. 

When a gap appeared between the ice floor and the tent fabric which exposed them to the full force of the storm, Goodeve-Docker lay down along the gap and used his body as a horizontal block, allowing a snow-wall to build up and fill the gaps.  They all curled together for body warmth. 

‘The covering was finally ripped to shreds and this left Goodeve-Docker and the team leader totally exposed with their other colleague under a sledge, drifting in and out of consciousness. Goodeve–Docker died after around 38 hours.

‘The two  other members of the team were rescued two hours later.

‘These individuals were fighting for their own lives. Goodeve-Docker used his body as a horizontal block against a gap in the tent. His actions merit recognition because he understood the danger he was exposing himself to and yet knowingly sacrificed his life to protect the other members of the group.’

An inquest subsequently heard that the 31-year-old died from hypothermia. His expedition was raising funds for the community nursing charity, The Queen’s Nursing Institute – which has since  created a memorial prize for nursing in his memory.

Goodeve-Docker's connection with comedy started while still a student in 2001, when he started the Southampton University comedy society, striking a deal with Jongleurs comedy club to offer cheap tickets to students.

After university, he set up Purple Cactus Comedy, running clubs in Hammersmith, West London, and Northwich, Cheshire, among others. It also booked comedians for sports clubs, private parties, the Frome festival and corporate clients ranging from the Ministry of Defence to Specsavers.

Published: 25 Jan 2017