A Second War B.E.M. group of five awarded to Fusilier A. McMichael, 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, for his gallant conduct during an ammunition train explosion at Hexham Railway Station on 8 September 1943; he was subsequently killed in action during the crossing of the Ijssel on 24 March 1945

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (3135282 Fus. Andrew Mc.Michael); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for display, light contact marks, good very fine (5) £600-£800

B.E.M. London Gazette 10 March 1944:
‘In recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’

The original Recommendation states: ‘On 8 September 1942 there was an explosion in a goods siding at Hexham Railway Station, where ammunition was being unloaded from a lorry into a railway wagon. The lorry had blown up and had set the wagon, which was full of ammunition, on fire.
Fusilier McMichael and another Fusilier, who were close by and having witnessed the explosion, immediately became aware of the possible dire consequences to lives and property if the whole cargo of munitions exploded, ran forward to offer assistance. Quickly assessing the situation, they realised that their only recourse was to separate two munitions wagons which had erupted in flames from the other wagons. With complete disregard to their own safety, the two gallant young men crawled under one of the burning wagons and uncoupled it from another wagon which was also on fire. The wagons were then able to be moved away and the fires eventually extinguished. Their spontaneous action was entirely voluntary and showed a complete disregard for their own personal safety. It is entirely probable that their gallantry saved the lives of many troops and civilians in the immediate vicinity.’

Andrew McMichael attested for the Royal Scots Fusiliers and served with the 6th Battalion during the Second World War in North West Europe. He was killed in action during the Battalion’s crossing of the Ijssel River, a tributary of the Rhine, on 24 March 1945, and is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

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