A Royal Navy officer who was murdered trying to stop a gun rampage on board a nuclear-powered submarine in Southampton will receive one of the highest medals for bravery posthumously today.

Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux's widow Gillian will be given the George Medal by the Queen at an investiture ceremony in Buckingham Palace.

Lt Cdr, 36, was awarded the accolade - second only to the George Cross - for attempting to tackle Able Seaman Ryan Donovan as he ran amok on HMS Astute while it was docked in Southampton on April 8 last year.

The father-of-four from Standish, Wigan, tried to disarm Donovan after hearing shots on board the submarine on April 8 last year, but was shot in the head.

Donovan was jailed for at least 25 years in September 2011 for murdering Lt Cdr Molyneux and attempting to murder Lieutenant Commander Christopher Hodge, Petty Officer Christopher Brown, and Chief Petty Officer David McCoy.

Southampton’s former council leader and chief executive, who were on the ship as part of civic visit at the time of the shooting, have also been ordered for their bravery during the incident.

Tory boss Councillor Royston Smith and chief executive Alistair Neill both tackled Donovan on the submarine have been awarded Outstanding Bravery Awards.

Cllr Smith and Mr Neill were presented the accolade at The Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, hosted by Carol Vorderman on ITV, for tackling a gunman on board a nuclear submarine last year.

This comes after the pair won the George Medal and the National Police Public Bravery Award for their spontaneous act of courage.