Charles Wilcox, GC

Birmingham decorator who saved a workmate trapped on a ledge

In August 1949, Charles Wilcox, who has died aged 87, was a Birmingham corporation painter and decorator working in the city centre. Among his workmates was 21-year-old Alfred Burrows who, having climbed a ladder to the third floor, some 45 ft from the ground, stepped out on to a sill, about 18 inches wide, to begin painting a window frame. He then found that the window had been bricked up from the inside. Burrows turned round to go down the ladder but failed to see it. Frightened and disoriented, he crouched on the sill, trying to keep his balance.

The works foreman responded by sending up another painter to provide help. After staying with Burrows for a few minutes, he returned to the ground. Wilcox then climbed the ladder. Positioning himself on a flat piece of stonework which at best was no more than 18 inches square, Wilcox supported Burrows who, now in state of shock, was completely unable to help himself.

For some 45 minutes, Wilcox, himself unable to move, stayed with Burrows, supporting him and doing his best to calm him. Wilcox was only too well aware that had the young man made any sudden movement, both would have fallen to the ground. By the time the fire brigade arrived, Burrows had lost consciousness. Strapped into a safety harness, a fireman eventually brought Burrows and Wilcox down to the ground.

For his courage Wilcox was awarded the Edward Medal. In 1971, this was translated to the George Cross, which he received from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in March 1973.

Wilcox was the nephew of Lance Corporal Alfred Wilcox, who had been awarded a Victoria Cross in September 1918, and was born in Birmingham and educated at Osler Street school, Ladywood, and Raddleburn Road school, Selly Oak.

On the outbreak of war in 1939, he joined the army as a private soldier. After a period of secondment to an anti-aircraft section on defensively equipped merchant ships, Wilcox returned to his battalion. In 1944, after intensive training, the battalion, earmarked for the second Chindit expedition, was airlifted into Burma as part of the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade, commanded by the legendary Brigadier Mike Calvert.

Following demobilisation in 1946, Wilcox returned to his prewar job. In 1965, he went to work on the Austin assembly line at Longbridge, but in 1980 medical problems obliged him to give up work. In retirement, he indulged his love of gardening, music and carpentry; he was also a skilled restorer of old clocks, a hobby that he greatly enjoyed.

It may be a cliche to describe such men as modest, thoughtful and unassuming, but he was all those things.

With his wife Edith, whom he married in 1945, he had two sons and two daughters. One of his sons predeceased him.

· Charles Wilcox, painter and decorator, born May 11 1919; died April 4 2006.