Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War ‘Birmingham Blitz’ B.E.M. awarded to Edward Lamb, a general labourer from Birmingham who assisted in the rescue of three persons trapped in a demolished house at Hope Street during an air raid in November 1940

British Empire Medal (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Edward Lamb) mounted on original investiture pin in its restored card box of issue, good very fine £400-500

B.E.M. London Gazette 25 April 1941.

The following report was submitted by the Town Clerk, an abbreviated version of which was published in the London Gazette:

‘On the night of 19th/20th November, 1940, there was an air raid on the city from 6.50 p.m. to 4.28 a.m. and at about 8.20 p.m. a high explosive bomb dropped in Hope Street, which demolished 19 dwelling houses, and trapped several persons beneath the debris. Edward Lamb ran to the scene, followed by others, and as he could hear cries for help he commenced to remove the debris, and got others to assist. One person was rescued, but two others were still trapped. Rescue work was very hazardous, as surrounding houses were almost collapsing, the chimney of the house where the trapped people were being in dangerous condition, and liable to fall, supporting debris was moved to extricate the trapped persons. Assisted by an acting Police Sergeant, Lamb rescued another person. A woman was still trapped, and her legs were held close to a fire grate in which a fire was burning. Further debris had to be removed, and Lamb poured water on to the fire to put it out and cool the grate. A cavity had been made by Lamb to reach the trapped people, and he worked in this for three hours, and there is no doubt that for some of this time he was working alone. He was afterwards relieved, and the woman was later rescued.

Lamb, by his courageous action and perseverance on the occasion was successful in three persons being rescued alive. While the rescue work was in progress there was a large fire which lighted up the district and other bombs fell nearby and also two parachute mines. Lamb is a married man with a family, and his wife had given birth to a child on the previous day. I consider that his action at this incident is worthy of some recognition.’

Sold with copied recommendations, full action reports and witness statements.