GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY 77
A Great War Medal of the Order of the British Empire attributed to Superintendent E. Smalley, Oswaldtwistle Fire Brigade
MEDAL OF THEORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, (Civil), unnamed as issued, in John Pinches, London, case of issue, extremely fine
£260-300
O.B.E. Medal London Gazette 7 July 1920: ‘For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty on the occasion of a fire at a chemical works.’
The original recommendation states: ‘On 27 April 1917, the Brigade attended the premises of Blythe & Co., Cote Holme Chemical Works, Church, where an explosion had occurred. The company were manufacturers of trinitoroluidine and trinitrophenol and there was considerable danger of other explosions occurring. In fact several minor explosions did actually occur whilst the Brigade was engaged. The Superintendent states that every member of the Brigade performed his duty unflinchingly, and he cannot mention any one individual for special merit.’
A further note in the Home Office Records explains why Smalley’s Medal was issued unnamed: ‘Serious explosion of picric acid at the Cote Holme Chemical Works on 27 April 1917: The Brigade were asked to select the names of three men. In reply the council stated that there were five men all equally entitled to recognition and they asked whether it would be possible to extend the number of medals. They were informed in reply that it would not be possible for the Secretary of State to recommend more than three names, and the Brigade therefore submitted the names of Edward Smalley, John Booth, and John W. Duckworth, but asked that the medals should not be engraved as it was the intention to have the medals placed in a frame and hung on the walls of the Station.’ (H.O. 45/11016 refers)
Edward Smalley was presented with his O.B.E. Medal by Lord Shuttleworth, H.M. Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, at Manchester Town Hall on 18 November 1920, alongside Messrs. Booth and Duckworth.
Sold together with a letter from the Home Office to the recipient informing him of the award, dated 5 July 1920; Programme for the Presentation of Medals at the Town Hall, Manchester, on 18 November 1920, with accompanying invitation; a photograph of the recipient; and the recipient’s visiting card.
78
A Second War 1941 ‘Bristol Blitz’ B.E.M. group of four awarded to Driver G. O’Connell, St. John Ambulance Brigade, Bristol, late Royal Flying Corps
BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL, (Civil)
G.VI.R., 1st issue (George O’Connell); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (107901. 2.A.M. G. Connell. R.F.C.); DEFENCE MEDAL, minor edge bruise to BEM, nearly extremely fine (4)
£600-800
B.E.M. London Gazette 20 June 1941: ‘During an air raid Driver O’Connell, with complete disregard of his own safety, made many journeys through badly bombed areas taking casualties to hospital. Although himself wounded he continued to render invaluable assistance.’
The original recommendation states: ‘When the “alert” sounded on the night of 16th-17th March, Mr. O’Connell was on duty at the St. John Ambulance Brigade Headquarters. He received a call from the A.R.P. Authorities to go to Fishponds and there found a woman injured by debris while explosive bombs were falling a short distance away. Driver O’Connell dressed the patient and proceeded to hospital, a journey undertaken with great difficulty during which time many incendiary and explosive bombs were falling. From the hospital, Mr. O’Connell proceeded to one of the severely bombed areas. From here he collected four patients and on being requested by the Wardens to return as soon as possible, he reported back after his visit to the hospital, again collecting patients. Loading his ambulance with great skill and consideration for those of his patients who were still alive, Driver O’Connell showed complete disregard for his own safety and undertook, with a splinter wound in his right knee, journeys through the worst part of the city, until instructed to return to Headquarters and standby. Mr. O’Connell treats the whole incident calmly and modestly, but it is obvious that on this night he rendered invaluable assistance both to his fellow men and to the Bristol Casualty Services.’
George O’Connell was born on 27 July 1890 and served with the Royal Flying Corps during the Great War on the Western Front from 22 December 1917 to 9 February 1918.
The raid on Bristol on the night of 16-17 March 1941 was the city’s worst raid with regards to loss of life of the Second World War, with 257 people being killed, mainly in the working class residential areas near the Bristol and Avonmouth docks.
Sold together with a copy of the Book Bristol Blitz Diary, by John Dike; a copy of the Book Bristol Under Siege, by Helen Reid; and various copied research.
x79
A Second War B.E.M. group of four awarded to Flight Sergeant D. M. Wolochow, Royal Canadian Air Force BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL, (Military)
G.VI.R., 1st issue (R86999 Fl. Sgt. David M. Wolochow. R.C.A.F.); CANADIAN VOLUNTEER SERVICEMEDAL, with overseas clasp; WARMEDAL 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONFEDERATION OF CANADA MEDAL 1992, all Rhodium-plated, mounted as worn, minor edge nicks, good very fine
CONFEDERATION OF CANADA CENTENARY MEDAL 1967, unnamed as issued, in case of issue, extremely fine (5) £200-240
B.E.M. London Gazette 8 June 1944. The Recommendation states: ‘This N.C.O., in charge of the orderly room in his section, has at all times executed his duties with great zeal and assumed his responsibilities and carried them out with a high degree of proficiency. He has displayed outstanding devotion to duty throughout his service career.’
David Moses Wolochow was born in Winnipeg and was educated at the University of Alberta and McTavish Business College. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Winnipeg on 4 March 1941, and served during the Second World War with No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School. He was presented with his B.E.M. on 15 February 1945.
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