A fine Second World War Blitz B.E.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant J. M. Kenyon, Royal Engineers, who displayed gallantry on a number of occasions during heavy raids on Hull in 1941 - ‘the most bombed city in Great Britain after London’, as famously stated by Herbert Morrison, the Minister of Home Security

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (No. 1986505 Spr. James Maxwell Kenyon, R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Militia (1986505 Sjt. J. M. Kenyon, B.E.M., R.E.), good very fine or better (6) £1200-1500

B.E.M. London Gazette 30 September 1941:

‘In recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’

The original recommendation states:

‘Sapper Kenyon was on night duty in charge of an office in a group of buildings during very severe raids on Hull in May 1941. On the first night the buildings were hit and the room adjoining the office was set on fire. Although the raid was at its height and the buildings were in the centre of the target area, Sapper Kenyon entirely on his own initiative began to remove the contents of the office to another place. He succeeded in removing all the important papers, books, and ammunition before assistance arrived.

In previous raids on Hull in March, 1941, Sapper Kenyon displayed great bravery and initiative. On the first night he, in company with other members of the staff, worked throughout extinguishing incendiary bombs which fell in the neighbourhood of their billets. They also entered a block of offices which were blazing furiously and succeeded in rescuing a man who had been overcome by smoke and fumes. On the second night a large bomb was dropped on the rear of the billet doing considerable damage. Escaping from the wrecked house Sapper Kenyon and his comrades went to the assistance of people trapped in the neighbouring houses. Between them they rescued a family of five children, an invalid from an upstairs room, and extricated a woman who had been completely buried.

On all occasions Sapper Kenyon displayed courage, initiative, and devotion to duty of the highest order. His fearless example undoubtedly proved an inspiration to his comrades and others.’

James Maxwell Kenyon was from Bebbington, Birkenhead.

An indication of the scale of suffering inflicted on the city of Hull by the Luftwaffe in 1940-41 may be found in the bare statistics - by the end of the latter year 1,200 citizens had been killed, 3,000 injured, and 146,000 rendered homeless. And of the pre-war total of 92,000 homes, only 5,943 were still standing.