Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An excessively rare 1940-41 bomb and mine disposal operations George Medal and Bar group of three awarded to Able Seaman W. H. Bevan, Royal Navy: the Bar was for making safe a parachute mine that was suspended over the stage of the London Palladium Theatre - when the clockwork in the fuse whirred into action, ‘Bevan slid down the ladder and took a 10 foot drop in his stride’

George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (A.B. William Henry Bevan Bevan, P/SSX. 12136); War Medal 1939-45; Royal Fleet Reserve L.S., G.VI.R., 1st issue (SSX. 12136 (Po. B. 18572) W. H. Bevan, A.B., R.F.R.) good very fine (3) £8,000-10,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Richard Magor Collection of Medals Relating to India and Africa, and other Fine Awards.

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Just 26 Bars have been awarded to the George Medal since its institution in September 1940.

G.M. London Gazette 27 June 1941. The recommendation states:

‘Able Seaman Bevan has helped in rendering mines safe and has shown himself to be cool and courageous when conditions are highly dangerous. In one instance he helped Lieutenant O’Hagan, R.C.N.V.R., with a mine which was endangering the Central Electricity Power Station at Trafford Park, Manchester. The mine was lying with its bomb fuse down and with a fire raging some fifty yards away. Owing to damage to the fuse an extempore cap had been screwed in to press on the hydrostatic valve and Bevan helped to unscrew the keep ring, which was bent. The clock of the fuse started to run off; the extempore safety gear was successful and the mine did not fire. Later, he helped to boil out the explosives from this highly dangerous mine. A successful finish to a fine piece of work that prevented serious damage.’

Note: The above deeds were actually enacted over a several day period, between the 22-26 December 1940, Lieutenant D. J. P. O’Hagan, R.C.N.V.R., originally being recommended for a G.C. for his part in the drama, but, like Bevan, finally receiving a G.M. Both men received their awards at a Buckingham Palace investiture on 27 July 1941.

On the night of 22 December 1940, Manchester was for the first time selected as a major target by the Luftwaffe, the first bombs falling at around 5 p.m. and the last in the early hours of the following day. About 270 enemy aircraft were involved and concentrated their attack on the central district and to the north-east. The Trafford Park area was particularly affected, the main bus depot and two railway stations being hit, in addition to the Central Electricity Power Station.




Bar to G.M. London Gazette 9 June 1942. The joint recommendation states:

‘On 11 May 1941, an unexploded parachute mine was reported to have fallen on the London Palladium Theatre. After a prolonged search over the roof tops, the mine was located through the slates of a gable, and it was obvious that it would have to be approached from inside the building. It proved to be jammed in the girders and rafters of the roof immediately over the stage. Sub. Lieutenant Wright mounted a ricketty ladder to a girder which crossed some eight feet below the mine, and from there, by light of a torch, observed that the fuse was masked by a 9ft. x 3ft. rafter which had fractured under the weight of the mine. Sub. Lieutenant Wright lashed himself in a position from which he could work, and Able Seaman Bevan came up to hold his torch. Then, with a small saw, which was all the cramped conditions would allow, he cut through the rafter, exposing the fuse, and fitted a “gag”. During this period they were in imminent danger. He then turned his attention to the screw-threaded ring which held the fuse in position. Hardly had he touched it when the clockwork fuse began to run. Both men made every effort to escape. Wright succeeded in freeing himself and then jumped on to one of the ropes used for scenery, and slid to the floor. Bevan slid down the ladder and took a 10 foot drop in his stride. Fortunately the gag held - and the mine did not explode. They returned to the mine, not knowing the condition of the fuse, and decided to go on with the process of extracting it. This was successfully accomplished. To remove the detonator, Wright had to lie on the mine, while Bevan held on to his feet. Able Seaman Bevan served in the section for one year and assisted with 15 mines. Both Sub. Lieutenant Wright and Able Seaman Bevan displayed the highest degree of courage and devotion to duty on this occasion.’

Note: Sadly, the extraordinarily brave and daring Lieutenant G. M. Wright, R.N.V.R., did not live to receive his G.M., being lost on a Gibraltar convoy on 19 August 1941. For his own part, the equally gallant Bevan attended a Buckingham Palace investiture on 29 September 1942.

The Luftwaffe made another ‘maximum effort’ against London on the night of 10-11 May 1941, using just over 500 aircraft. Bombs fell from 11.15 p.m. until 5.25 a.m., and the resultant damage was extensive and widespread, 61 London boroughs being affected and 2154 fires reported. Hospitals, schools and churches were among the many public buildings destroyed, and casualties amounted to well in excess of 1000 killed, and 2000 seriously injured.