Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Plymouth Blitz B.E.M. group of four awarded to Fire Inspector A. W. Larson, Plymouth City Police and Fire Brigade

British Empire Medal (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Arthur William Larson); Defence Medal; Police Exemplary Service Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Sergt.) these three mounted as worn; Plymouth City Constabulary Conspicuous Bravery and Good Service Medal, with bar ‘For Gallantry’, unnamed as issued, in its original Fattorini case of issue, together with a Royal Life Saving Society bronze medal (Sept. 1935), his regulation issue whistle dated 1944, five original photographs of the recipient, and a good quantity of original documents, letters, and news cuttings, good very fine (5) £600-800

B.E.M. London Gazette 22 August 1941: ‘Bombs caused several large fires at an Omnibus Depot. Fire Inspector Larson was in charge of the operations which were rendered difficult and dangerous by burning oil and exploding petrol tanks. Larson, Police Fireman Peace and Auxiliary Fireman Edgecombe took up the most dangerous positions and after three hours succeeded in subduing the flames. During the whole of this period high incendiary bombs were being dropped and the three men suffered considerably from the effects of blast and flying debris but refused to give up. They set a very fine example of fire fighting in conditions when there was great risk of death or injury.’

Arthur William Larson joined the Plymouth City Police Force on 22 March 1928, and was transferred to the Fire Brigade on 6 April 1938. He was appointed a Temporary Fire Inspector in March 1941, became a Station Officer in July 1941, and subsequently a Company Officer. He retired after 30 years service in the Plymouth City Police and Fire Brigade in March 1958.

The heart of Plymouth was gutted during seven nights of merciless aerial bombardment during March and April 1941. The incident referred to above occurred on the night of 29/30 April when fire appliances were called to an inferno at the Corporation Transport Depot at Milehouse. All three men were subsequently awarded the B.E.M. and, on 19 October 1941, Fire Inspector Larson was presented with the Plymouth police medal for conspicuous bravery by the Lord Mayor, Lord Astor. Only 25 awards for gallantry were given during the history of this medal which was instituted in March 1936 and abolished in February 1951. Acknowledgement is made to Derek Allen for his article on the Plymouth City Police Medal published in the Journal of the O.M.R.S., Autumn 1990.