Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War ‘Siege of Malta’ B.E.M. awarded to Corporal Albert Simpson, No. 2 Works Company, Royal Engineers (Malta Territorial Force)

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (4602348 Cpl. Albert Simpson) no ribbon, good very fine £250-300

B.E.M. London Gazette 16 February 1943: ‘No. 4602348 Corporal Albert Simpson, Malta Territorial Force.’

The recommendation states:

‘For displaying conspicuous resourcefulness and disregard for personal safety in rescue work during an Air Raid. On Sunday 15 March 1942 this N.C.O., whilst in command of a Fire and Rescue Party, put out a fire during an air raid in a building in Valletta which was in a dangerous condition. A bomb fell in a neighbouring street whilst they were working. Corporal Simpson led Gunner Ridgeway R.A. and Sappers Redhead and Soper R.E. to the scene, and, at considerable personal risk owing to the dangerous state of the building and the height - some 60 feet - at which they had to work, rescued a man, his wife and three children from the top storey of the building, of which the first four floors had collapsed. The rescue was achieved by bridging a 60 feet deep “well” with ladders and doors taken from the debris at great personal risk, which was shared by all the party under the leadership of Corporal Simpson. This N.C.O. has shown much initiative and resource on previous occasions in putting out fires in the Central Civil Hospital, and San Salvatur and assisting in other rescue work.’

For this and other actions Gunner Ridgeway was awarded the George Medal, whilst Sappers Redhead and Soper were both mentioned in despatches.

No. 4602348 Corporal ‘Arthur Frederick’ Simpson, Royal Engineers, Malta Territorial Force, was killed or died on 2 September 1942. He was the son of Mary Ann Simpson, and husband of Adelaide Simpson, of Gzira, and is buried in Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.