Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part III)

A fine London Blitz 1940 G.M. awarded to Special Constable F. C. Almond, Metropolitan Police

George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Frederick Charles Almond), extremely fine £1800-2200

G.M. London Gazette 7 February 1941:

‘A house was demolished by enemy bombing. In the wreckage was a buried man whose hand only was showing and who was crying for help. In an endeavour to release the trapped victim, Special Constable Almond, who was on the scene, tunnelled below the mass of overhanging debris, which threatened every moment to fall on him. After working alone for some considerable time he succeeded in sufficiently uncovering the man to allow a doctor to administer a hypodermic injection. Eventually a rescue party arrived and took steps to support the wreckage. Even then the Police Officer was the principal worker in securing the eventual release of the casualty. The man was taken to hospital and has since recovered. There is no doubt that the Special Constable saved his life.

On several occasions Almond has shown courage of the highest order in rescuing victims of enemy air raids.’

Frederick Charles Almond - the London Gazette lists his christian names as Charles Frederick - enacted the above deeds at a house in Verona Street, Lavender Hill, London on the night of 16 September 1940.