A Birmingham Blitz B.E.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Sergeant H. Elliott, Royal Engineers, for bomb disposal

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL (Military) G.VI.R., for Meritorious Service (No. 2036910 L/ Sgt., RE.); 1939-45 STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS, very fine (4)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the late Mike Minton.

View
Collection

B.E.M., London Gazette, 30 September 1941. '... in recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner. The following recommendation was extracted from official records: 'Lance-Sergeant Elliott has worked continuously on bombs since August, 1940, and has displayed great courage and initiative in his work. He was engaged on one bomb which exploded, causing fatal casualties; although badly shaken himself, he refused, owing to pressure of work at the time, to remain off duty.

Incident 'A' 12 December 1940 Birmingham. This Sergeant, then a junior N.C.O. played a very prominent part in the work on the bomb which fell at B.S.A. (Guns) at 0130 hours. He worked continuously with very brief intervals for rest from 0300 hours, 12th December, until 1400 hours, 14th December.

Incident 'B' 27 November 1940 Birmingham. A 250 kilo bomb fell in the Singer Motor Works and was placed in Category 'A'. This N.C.O. was given charge of the working party which commenced operations 2 1/2 hours after the bomb fell and whilst the raid was still in progress. Chiefly owing to his initiative and energy the bomb was uncovered within 5 hours and successfully removed.'