The South Australian nurse hailed the ‘Angel of London Bridge’ will be recognised by the Queen today for her bravery during the 2017 UK terror attack.
Kirsty Boden was posthumously named on the prestigious 2018 Civilian Gallantry list revealed in London on Thursday.
The 28-year-old was fatally stabbed when she ran to assist victims who had been targeted by three terrorists in a white van.
Kirsty Boden (pictured), 28, is being recognised by the Queen for her bravery during the 2017 London Bridge terrorist attack
The young nurse lost her life when she was fatally stabbed by a terrorist while she assisted other injured victims
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop said: ‘Ms Boden showed courage and compassion, putting the lives of others before hers during a terrifying and tragic event’
Her mother, Christina Boden, told the Adelaide Advertiser the family was extremely proud.
‘As you can imagine we’re just really proud of her, proud of the person she was,’ she said.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the honour marked a sad but proud day.
‘Kirsty Boden was a brave Australian who lost her life while selflessly helping others during the London Bridge attack,’ she said in a statement.
‘Ms Boden showed courage and compassion, putting the lives of others before hers during a terrifying and tragic event.’
Eight people were killed in the June 3, 2017 attack when three terrorists deliberately plowed a white van through pedestrians on London Bridge before a stabbing rampage.
Sara Zelenak, a 21-year-old nanny from Brisbane, also lost her life during the terrorist attack.
The Queen’s (pictured) Gallantry list recognises civilians for ‘exemplary acts of bravery’
Ms Boden, who was originally from Loxton in South Australia’s Riverland, had worked in London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital as a nurse.
Instead of protecting herself, the young nurse showed courage as she ran towards the terrorists in a ploy to save the lives of other injured victims.
‘She could have taken cover to protect herself, as most people caught up in such a serious and life threatening situations would have done,’ Ms Bishop said.
‘However, being a nurse, she took her training to care for others to the highest level.’
In June 2017, family and friends gathered to celebrate the heroic life of Ms Boden at her funeral.
Her long-term partner, James Hodder, said she exuded bravery on everyday of her life, the ABC reported.
‘Kirsty was so brave, I don’t just mean what she did that night, we all know she was a hero that night, I mean all her life,’ he said.
‘Caring for people was what Kirsty was passionate about, that passion was evident to everyone who worked with her and to the patients she cared for so diligently.’
The London Bridge terrorist attack (pictured) claimed the lives of eight people in 2017, including two Australians