Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Fireman W. Faulkner, Leeds Fire Brigade, late Private, Royal Army Medical Corps

1914-15 Star (102 Pte., R.A.M.C.); British War & Victory Medals (102 Pte., R.A.M.C.); National Fire Brigades Association L.S. Medal, 2 clasps, Ten Years, Five Years (9621 William Faulkner), bronze; Castleford Explosion Devotion to Duty Medal 1930 (P. C. W. Faulkner, Leeds Fire Brigade),39mm., bronze, mounted for display, second pitted, good fine and better (5) £280-320

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Life Saving, Police and Fire Brigade Medals from the James N Spencer Collection.

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On 4 July 1930 a fire broke out in the acid-mixing plant at the works of Messrs Hickson & Partners, Castleford, West Yorkshire. An explosion occured before the site could be evacuated, killing 13 men and injuring some 50 others. The dense and poisonous smoke and the threat of further explosions made fire-fighting even more hazardous than usual and the extent of the fire compelled the authorities to call in fire brigades from nearby towns and cities.