Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1941 ‘Bristol Blitz’ B.E.M. group of four awarded to Driver G. O’Connell, St. John Ambulance Brigade, Bristol, late Royal Flying Corps

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (George O’Connell); British War and Victory Medals (107901. 2.A.M. G. Connell. R.F.C.); Defence Medal, minor edge bruise to BEM, nearly extremely fine (4) £600-800

B.E.M. London Gazette 20 June 1941:
‘During an air raid Driver O’Connell, with complete disregard of his own safety, made many journeys through badly bombed areas taking casualties to hospital. Although himself wounded he continued to render invaluable assistance.’

The original recommendation states: ‘When the “alert” sounded on the night of 16th-17th March, Mr. O’Connell was on duty at the St. John Ambulance Brigade Headquarters. He received a call from the A.R.P. Authorities to go to Fishponds and there found a woman injured by debris while explosive bombs were falling a short distance away. Driver O’Connell dressed the patient and proceeded to hospital, a journey undertaken with great difficulty during which time many incendiary and explosive bombs were falling. From the hospital, Mr. O’Connell proceeded to one of the severely bombed areas. From here he collected four patients and on being requested by the Wardens to return as soon as possible, he reported back after his visit to the hospital, again collecting patients. Loading his ambulance with great skill and consideration for those of his patients who were still alive, Driver O’Connell showed complete disregard for his own safety and undertook, with a splinter wound in his right knee, journeys through the worst part of the city, until instructed to return to Headquarters and standby. Mr. O’Connell treats the whole incident calmly and modestly, but it is obvious that on this night he rendered invaluable assistance both to his fellow men and to the Bristol Casualty Services.’

George O’Connell was born on 27 July 1890 and served with the Royal Flying Corps during the Great War on the Western Front from 22 December 1917 to 9 February 1918.

The raid on Bristol on the night of 16-17 March 1941 was the city’s worst raid with regards to loss of life of the Second World War, with 257 people being killed, mainly in the working class residential areas near the Bristol and Avonmouth docks.

Sold together with a copy of the Book Bristol Blitz Diary, by John Dike; a copy of the Book Bristol Under Siege, by Helen Reid; and various copied research.