Auction Catalogue

19 September 2003

Starting at 11:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. To coincide with the OMRS Convention

Grand Connaught Rooms  61 - 65 Great Queen St  London  WC2B 5DA

Lot

№ 120

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19 September 2003

Hammer Price:
£520

A Birmingham Blitz B.E.M. awarded to Firewatcher R. E. Pritchard, for gallantry during an air raid in the summer of 1941

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Robert Ellis Pritchard) edge bruising, therefore nearly very fine £150-200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Awards to Civilians from the Collection of John Tamplin.

View Awards to Civilians from the Collection of John Tamplin

View
Collection

B.E.M. (Civil Division) London Gazette 1 August 1941: Robert Ellis Pritchard, Firewatcher, Birmingham, joint citation with P.C. John Payne, Birmingham Police Force. ‘During an air raid one house was completely demolished and another badly damaged. Police Constable Payne, assisted by Pritchard, removed debris from the spot where two persons were known to be buried. It was very dangerous work as not only were bombs falling nearby, but the walls that were left standing were in a tottering state and there was a complete staircase hanging in a precarious position overhead.

It was necessary for the rescuers to sit in a hole with their backs to the wall while they worked to prevent the masonry falling on to the casualties. After two and a half hours work in the dangerous conditions the victims were extricated. Police Constable Payne and Mr. Pritchard then went to the ruins of the other house and tunnelled through the wall of the cellar in an effort to reach the buried people. They worked for several hours until relieved by a Rescue Party.’