Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A London Blitz George Medal awarded to Mr Peter Inglis, Deptford A.R.P. Rescue Service, for gallantry in saving lives during a heavy air raid on 16 October 1940 of some twelve hours’ duration

George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Peter John Ethelbert Inglis) mounted on original investiture pin, very fine £3000-3500

G.M. London Gazette 25 April 1941:

‘Peter John Ethelbert Inglis, Clerk of Works, A.R.P. Rescue Service, Deptford.

A bomb exploded between two houses, forming a crater and throwing masses of earth and debris over the respective basements in which several persons were trapped.

Under the direction of Inglis a tunnel was made from the side of the crater into one of the basements. A serious danger was encountered by the uncovering of a live electrical cable. This obstacle was negotiated and the work of tunnelling proceeded. The basement was filling with gas from a broken pipe, but two girls were successfully extricated.

Operations to reach the casualties in the second basement were rendered more difficult by the unsound state of the walls and the constant danger of their collapse. Inglis again started tunnelling and directed the careful removal of the heavier debris from above the trapped casualties. This basement was also filling with gas from a broken pipe.

After twelve hours extremely difficult and dangerous work, during the whole of which time a heavy air raid was in progress, the rescue of seven persons was effected.’