Death of medal winning war hero WAR hero Dennis Copperwheat, Who was born in Raunds and awarded the George Cross for service in Malta, has died aged 78. Mr Copperwheat, of Weekley, died at Kettering General Hospital on Tuesday. He was educated at Kimbolton School and later joined the Royal Navy. He was awarded the George Cross for his heroism in March 1942 when a merchant ship carrying ammunition was on fire just outside Valetta harbour, Malta. Lt Copperwheat was serving on HMS Penelope and boarded the blazing ship to scuttle it. His widow, Joan said: "He was badly injured at the time but I understand that had he not carried out the action he did, the ammunition on the ship could have destroyed much of the island." He finished the war as a Lt Cmdr. He worked at the Admiralty and was also a stockbroker. He also leaves a son, two daughters and three grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at Weekley Parish Church tomorrow.