George Medal

166527 Lieutenant

James Girton Allen

George Medal

17 Bomb Disposal Company

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is from file WO373/68/437 held at the National Archives.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 5th of May 1944. Supplement 36498. Page 2049

At Salerno between 2 October and 9 October 1943, Lieutenant Allen defuzed and removed seven British bombs fitted with long delay fuzes and anti handling devices. The bombs were situated adjacent to the SALERNO-NAPLES road and a railway and were impending the military operations. By his successful removal of these bombs, without causing an explosion, a serious hindrance to operations was avoided.

Between 9th October and 15 October 1943, this officer and his Section investigated many buildings for mines and booby traps; they found eighty-five, all of which they cleared. Lieutenant Allen was also called to examine some barracks where he discovered and neutralized a German timed firing mechanism connected to about fifteen hundred pounds of high explosives.

During all these operations this officer displayed great gallantry, well knowing the great personal risks he was taking.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

Further detail.

At this time the design and measures to defuze British Bombs had not been released.

2009340 Sgt

Arthur James Ashmore

George Medal

 3 Bomb Disposal Company.

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is from file WO373/68/152 held at the National Archives.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 16th of November 1943. Supplement 36253. Page 5067.

Sgt Ashmore was engaged continuously on bomb disposal operations for a period of four weeks following the enemy air raids on Grimsby and Cleethorpes on the morning of the 14th of June 1943. He disposed personally of more than 60 fully-armed 2 kilogram anti-personnel bombs, 41 of them during the period 14th to 21 June, when he was intensely engaged in this work during all the hours of daylight. He displayed great courage and resource in dealing with bombs fuzed to detonate on the slightest movement, many of them in unstable and awkward positions.

One bomb fell on a Cleethorpes railway siding beneath a wagon of valuable goods. Sergeant Ashmore crawled beneath the wagon and by means of skillful sandbagging and protective work completely averted damage to the wagon and the goods it contained when the bomb was detonated. Another bomb which fell at the side of a signal box in Grimsby Goods Yard was insecurely poised and liable to roll over if subjected to the smallest vibration. Sergeant Ashmore carried out protective sandbagging, laid a charge, and detonated the bomb successfully with only superficial damage to the signal box and one overhead wire cut. A further bomb that was dropped was found suspended by its drogue over the false roof of a building. The bomb was inaccessible from inside and had to be approached from the roof. Sergeant Ashmore cleared the room adjacent to the bomb of all valuable fitting and furniture and furniture and rigged a tackle from the chimney stack to pull the bomb clear. After the slight movement of the bomb the tackle jammed and Sergeant Ashmore at great risk of further disturbing the bomb climbed over the roof and freed the tackle. On pulling again the bomb immediately exploded.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

123013 Lieutenant Temporary Captain

Alexander George Bainbridge

George Medal

Bomb Disposal

Royal Engineers 

The Recommendation is from file WO373/66/1349 held at the National Archive.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 30th of September 1941. Supplement 35292. Page 5653.

In September 1940, a large bomb fell in Woolwich. In view of the proximity of the bomb to the railway and municipal center, Captain Brainbridge immediately dealt with the bomb himself. The bomb proved to have two of the most dangerous fuzes, and whilst attempting to remove them the bomb exploded, seriously injuring him.

In October 1940, a bomb of the highest priority fell in the Southern Outfall Sewer for which he was responsible. Although he had scarcely recovered from his accident, he hastened back to duty before the expiration of his sick leave, in order to deal with this bomb.

Many instances of gallantry by this officer could be recorded, including one in October 1940, in High Street, Plumstead. After lighting the fuze which had to demolish a bomb, an old lady emerged from an unexpected quarter into the danger area. He ran back to this person and just succeeded in getting her to a place of safety when the bomb exploded.

Captain Bainbridge has made approximately one hundred reconnaissance of unexploded bombs, from time to time by night under blitz conditions.

He continues to maintain well the very high standard and gallantry and devotion to duty which has characterized all his work.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

2126849 Sergeant

William Henry Bailey

George Medal.

7 Bomb Disposal Company.

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is from file WO373/68/331 held at the National Archives

Posted in the London Gazette on the 10th March 1944. Supplement 36416. Page 1151.

Sergeant Bailey has been employed on bomb disposal duties since October 1940. He has worked on approximately two hundred unexploded bombs. He made a large number of reconnaissances whilst raids were still in progress. He has shown himself to be absolutely fearless and shown a fine example and spirit to the men employed under him.

During the raid on Plymouth on 12 August 1943, he assisted his officer (Captain Gray) in dealing with a 500-kilogram unexploded bomb which had been dropped and had caused the closing of the main Exeter to Plymouth Road. He took his turn at scraping away with his bare hands a quantity of concrete whilst gas was escaping from a broken gas pipe nearby, in order to get at the fuze of the bomb. At times he was compelled to break off from this work because of having been overcome by the fumes. The fuze was eventually extracted and the bomb removed to a safe place. By working under such adverse conditions it called for a high degree of courage, determination and devotion to duty on the part of this non-commissioned officer.

recommended and awarded the George Medal.

Further information.

Lieutenant John Henry Havelock Gray was also awarded the George Medal see separate entry.

Second Lieutenant

James Barnes

Bomb Disposal

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is taken froM file WO373/66/355 held at the National Archives/

Placed in the London Gazette 22 January 1941. Supplement 35050. Page 462.

On the 8 November 1940, ten bombs were dropped on the factory of Vauxhall Motors Limited at Luton. One of the bombs had fallen on the heat-treatment department. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Lieutenant Barnes immediately volunteered to enter the building and remove the fuze from the bomb. This was successfully achieved and removed a very serious danger. After further investigation, another unexploded bomb was discovered in close proximity to a large A.R.P control room. Without hesitation, Lieutenant Barnes proceeded to excavate the ground around the bomb until he was able to defuze it. It was due to his cool and courageous action that the Company, engaged on important Government production, was working full again the next morning, with practically no time lost.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

2968034 Corporal 

William Owen Bean.

George Medal

77 Bomb Disposal Section.

10 Bomb Disposal Company.

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is from file WO373/66/147 held at the National Archives.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 13th December 1940. Supplement 35014. Page 7053.

On August 31, 1940, at Middleton, several H.E. Bombs dropped near a thickly populated area, eight of the bomb failing to explode. Digging operations were commenced for the recovery of the bombs which had fallen on the bank of the railway and after digging a few feet bad ground was encountered which slowed up the progress of the work. Corporal Bean, by his example and coolness, expedited operations, and recovered the bombs which were successfully defused, thus expediting the return to their homes of several hundred people who had been evacuated.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

56967 Lieutenant Temporary Captain

Alfred John Biggs

George Medal

9 Bomb Disposal Company

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is from file WO373/66/353

Posted in the London Gazette on 22 January 1941. Supplement 35050. Page 462.

When a 250-kilo bomb fell through the railway viaduct at Birmingham, Captain Biggs immediately set off and found the bomb partially buried beneath the viaduct, and in such a position that its explosion would seriously dislocate traffic for a considerable period. Captain Biggs uncovered the fuze which was still ticking and attempted to take it out, but the locking ring had jammed. By means of a hammer and chisel, the filling cap was taken off and the T.N.T. washed out the fuze pocket. The fuze exploded seven minutes after removal. This is only one of many instances of equally courageous action by Captain Biggs who, by his conduct, inspires all ranks of the Company under his Command.

210258 Lieutenant

Thomas Blackshaw

George Medal

22 Bomb Disposal Company

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is taken from file WO373/68/49 held at the National Archives.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 17th August 1943. Supplement 36136. Page 3690.

On the night of the 3/4 March 1943, enemy aircraft dropped approximately 350 anti-personal bombs on Essex. The bombs fell in open country and mostly on the surface. It was necessary to dispose of these bombs as soon as possible as they were holing up agriculture and could not be adequately guarded in the rural areas in which they fell. Owing to an exercise the only officers available to deal with these bombs were Major Gerhold, Lieutenant Clinton and Lieutenant Blackshaw. Owing to this shortage of officers Sergeant Hall was called to assist in the work which normally would be performed by an officer.

At the time in question little was known regarding the action of these anti-personnel bombs, and instructions as to their disposal were by no means complete. The anti-personnel bombs were fitted with two new types of fuzes which had not hitherto been encountered in England. One type, fuze 70B, was an anti-handling fuze designed to set off the bomb at the slightest touch. The other type was a long delay fuze 67, designed to explode the bomb at any time up to half an hour after falling. Owing to faulty action. these fuzes are liable to stop and subsequently restart if the bomb is disturbed, or even if other bombs within 25 yards exploded.

When possible these three officers and Sergeant Hall threaded a cord round or through projecting portions of the bombs and jerked them by remote control. When this was not practicable, or the bomb with which they were dealing did not explode on being jerked, they placed an explosive charge against the bomb and blew it up. In such cases, the charge had to actually touch the bomb to ensure 100% efficiency. In instances where bombs are buried, it is necessary to find them by hand and remove any earth that may be laying on them. A charge can then be laid on these bombs which will destroy them. The danger lies in the risk of disturbing the bombs which may set them off.

These three officers and Sergeant Hall between them dealt successfully with 314 of bombs which fell of, this number, 67 were dealt with by Major Gerhold 69 by Lieutenant Clinton, 95 by Lieutenant Blackshaw and 83 by Sergeant Hall. In disposing of this bombs each of these officers and N.C.O. displayed sustained courage of a high order as the disposal of each bomb constituted a very real risk.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

311379 Lieutenant

William Sangster Borthwick

George Medal

11 Bomb Disposal Company

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is from file WO373/69/742 held at the National Archives

Posted in the London Gazette on the 25th December 1945. Supplement 37404. Page 6275.

Lieutenant Borthwick has been engaged in the clearance of minefield for the past twelve months and has dealt with approximately 1600 mines. On the 27th April 1945, whilst he was clearing a minefield south of DUNBAR, he received a message that an accident had occurred in a minefield north of DUNBAR. He immediately proceeded to the scene and on arrival found that two mines had exploded killing three Prisoners of War and injuring nine others. Accompanied by a Sergeant, Lieutenant Borthwick swept in with a mine detectors and removed all the Prisoners of War and those that had been killed, from the minefield. This was a particularly dangerous operation as the Prisoners of War did not understand English and tended to move about in the live minefield when they saw the clearance party approaching towards them with stretchers. 

On the 14 September 1945, he received a message regarding another accident which had occurred on PEFFER SANDS minefield. He proceeded to this minefield with another Sergeant and swept in and removed the bodies of 4 men of his Company who had been killed in this particular incident In both of these incidents Lieutenant Borthwick ran a considerable risk, but by his initiative and gallant action, he ensured that the men who had been wounded were removed with the greatest possible speed and sent to hospital. This officer set a fine example of courage and determination, which inspired those who were privileged to witness his deed.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

Further information

Sgt Craik was awarded the British Empire Medal for his part in the Dunbar operation.

154267 Lieutenant Temporary

Capt Edward Louis Bourne.

George Medal

4 Bomb Disposal Company

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is from file WO373/68/207 held at the National Archives.

Placed in the London Gazette on the 21st December 1943. Supplement 36279. Page 5572.

During August 1943, the enemy dropped over two hundred and fifty anti-personnel bombs on districts in Norfolk, and Captain Bourne personally dealt with one hundred and fourty two of them. His disposal of 31, 2 kilogram anti-personal bombs at Wells-on-Sea, constituted a very heavy risk, and each of the remaing bombs which he dealt with also entailed a slight though none the less real risk. The cumulative danger in disposing of 142 bombs, was, however, high , and Captain Bourne’s action called for sustained courage. This officer has been employed on bomb disposal duties since October 1940, and disposed of three hundred and fourty six other bombs of various calibre, many of them under highly dangerous conditions.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal 

Further information

His Sergeant Fred Fisher was awarded the British Empire Medal

1990980 Sargeant

John Brabin

George Medal

 3 Bomb Disposal Company

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is taken from file WO373/68/652 held at the National Archives.

Placed in the London Gazette on the 15th September 1944. Supplement 36700. Page 4253.

Sergeant Brabin has been employed on bomb disposal duties since October 1940. During this time he has helped to deal with over two hundred and sixty unexploded high explosive bombs and 102 S.D.2 anti-personnel bombs. He has at all times proved that his thoughts for the safety and well being of his men are foremost in his mind. His personal courage and disregard for his own safety has always been of the highest order and acted as a tonic and inspiration to the many junior N.C.Os placed under his charge. His performance in personally disposing of 26 unexploded S.D.2 bombs with 70B fuzes at CASTON, of which seven were hanging in hedges and three in corn stooks was one calling for very considerable coolness and steady courage, as the disposal of one of these bombs constitutes a risk and of twenty-six, many in awkward positions, a very real risk. His performance in September and December 1943, in disposing of seventy-five further S.D.2 bombs confirms his devotion to duty and willingness to accept necessary risks.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

Capt A.J. Briggs. GM.

11 Bomb Disposal Company.

Placed in the London Gazette on the 9th July 1946.

Awarded for minefield work at Dunbar.On the 14th September 1945 an accident happened in a minefield near Dunbar. The officer and three men were killed, Briggs recovered their bodies. The moral of the remaining men was badly shaken and the minefield was re-fenced. Work on the field was made more hazardous by rock formations affecting the locating equipment.On the 27 September, Briggs brought the survivors back to the minefield and alone in view of his men located and disarmed several mines. This restored the men’s confidence and work re-started on clearance operations. No further incidents occurred.Lt Briggs was awarded the George Medal for his unfaltering courage and devotion to duty in setting a fine example to his men.

13005511 Corporal

Charles Frederick Bristow

George Medal

Bomb Disposal

Royal Engineers.

This Recommendation is taken from file WO373/67/188 held at the National Archives/ 

Placed in the London Gazette on the 17th of February 1942. Supplement 

Corporal Bristow has been employed on bomb disposal work for the past eleven months and has been consistently at the side of his Section Officer in the hazardous work carried out. He has been consistently reliable and unheeding of danger, thereby setting a fine example to the men working under him.

He was in charge of operations during two incidents under the direction of an officer, and with another N.C.O. the conditions under which he worked in one of these incidents were appalling since apart from the danger of asphyxiation, there was a grave danger of fire and explosion in a gas holder, with the additional knowledge that should the bomb on which he was working detonate, the result would be certain death. The bomb on this occasion was fitted with the most dangerous combination of delay-action and anti-handling. fuzes.

The same degree of dogged courage and complete disregard for personal danger is evident in other incidents in which this N.C.O has been concerned, and where work was carried out on delayed-action bombs over a period of many hours during which there was the ever-increasing risk of detonation.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal

Placed in the London Gazette on the 15th March 1946.Awarded for work in the U.K.

2067513 Sgt Charles Morris Cann. GM.

8 Bomb Disposal Section.

4 Bomb Disposal Company.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 22nd January 1941.

Awarded for work at Ipswich, Suffolk on the 28th October 1940.Sgt Cann was the first Non Commissioned Officer to defuze live bombs also he was one of the pioneers in BD work.He under took work on parachute mines regardless of whether they had been defuzed by the Royal Navy. Whilst he was dealing with a mine in a back garden, the fuze commenced ticking. This had 17 seconds to run before exploding, therefore Cann ran for it, rumor has it that a tubby Cann managed to clear 6 garden walls before it went of, these walls were 6 feet tall, no mean feat. On the 28th October 1940, Cann was tasked with investigating a new fuze type on a small anti personnel bomb. Numerous of these had been dropped in the Ipswich area. He managed to secure a complete bomb, the mechanism was a hairbreadths from triggering the device. This was dismantled and rendered safe. Previous to this a number of policemen had been injured fatally by these devices. Due to the recovery of this device, precautionary measures were implemented, saving lives. In 1945 Cann now commissioned Captain, was involved in providing BD Operatives with safe methods of clearing beach mines laid in shingle. This was done and units working on the beaches were issued High Pressure Water Jetting Equipment.Sadly Cann died in 1945, not as a result of BD work but whilst having his tonsils removed, tragically his son died in 1946 whilst having the same operation.

1880745 Sapper

John William Carter

George Medal

2 Bomb Disposal Group (Unit still to be checked)

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is taken from file WO373/66/778 held at the National Archives.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 11th March 1941. Supplement 35009. Page 1427.

At Gravesend on the 17 December 1940, when the Section Officer was attempting to defuze an unexploded bomb fitted with a No. 17 fuze, the top came away, and the officer, owing to consideration of saving property, decided to extract the fuze by hand, a difficult and dangerous operation. Sapper Carter knowing the danger, volunteered his aid and gave his officer all help, both practical and moral, that could possibly be given in a trying and hazardous task, without any thought to his personal danger.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

Further information.

Sapper Carter also supported his officer on several incidents these included two 250kg bombs in a school playing field, a Flam 250 incendiary at Bowater Paper Mills, close to the River Thames, and another bomb in a back garden in Dashwood Road, Gravesend. This last bomb was discovered with its fuze visible but so badly damaged as to be unidentifiable. Later it was found to be a no 17 Long Delay fuze, which was removed by hammer and cold chisel, standard practice at the time, the fuze fired ten minutes after removal.

2006164 Spr Stanley Chesher. GM. 96 Bomb Disposal Section. Placed in the London Gazette on the 17th December 1940. His Citation reads:The conduct of Sapper Chesher, under conditions of extraordinary difficulty and danger, has been especially meritorious.  He has never allowed considerations for his personal safety to interfere with his work and no situation, however perilous, has been able to affect his nerve. He has shown himself to be as ready to face hard work as he is to meet risk and it has been found more difficult to persuade him to come out of a bomb hole than to get him to enter one. On 18 August 1940 he worked for 9 hours, stripped and up to his waist in water, in order to reach a large High Explosive delayed-action bomb which had fallen in a pond.

1888309 Corporal (Acting Sergeant)

Robert John Chester

George Medal

Bomb Disposal

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is taken from file WO373/67/45 held at the National Archives

Placed in the London Gazette on the 28th of October 1941. Supplement 35362. Page 6247.

Sergeant Chester has been employed on bomb disposal for twelve months. From August to September 1940, he worked in the heavily blitzes areas around Tilbury. His example has been an inspiration to his men. He has reconnoitered and dealt with three parachute mines and 200 bombs, including 19 Category”A” bombs, many of which were fitted with No. 17 fuzes.

In August 1940, he recovered the first 250-kilogram bomb experienced by his Section, and the information gained formed the basis of subsequent operations of his Section.

In September 1940, five Category “A” bombs fell on the L.N.E Railway at Rims Park Station, Hornchurch. Sergeant Chester worked for eight hours on these bombs which were successfully removed thereby enabling the line to be re-opened for traffic.

At Warley in October 1940, he was called upon to demolish a parachute mine. Disregarding his own safety and knowing that any disturbance would operate the mine fuze, he excavated the loose soil covering the mine and laid the charge.

The Director of Bomb Disposal states that Sergeant Chester has shown himself to be possessed of fine qualities of leadership, determination, and cool courage in the face of danger under difficult circumstances.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

130514 Lieutenant

Michael Arthur Clinton

George Medal and Bar

22 Bomb Disposal Company

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is taken from file WO373/67/186 held at the National Archives.

Placed in the London Gazette 17th February 1942. Supplement 35460. Page 773.

Lieutenant Clinton has been engaged continuously on bomb disposal work for the past eleven months and has disposed of approximately 200 bombs of all types and sizes. He has always displayed consistent eagerness to deal with “A” category bombs. and to assist the Royal Navy in the disposal of parachute mines. In two incidents brought to notice, Lieutenant Clinton accepted the risk of certain death with sustained courage and complete disregard for personal danger. The bomb which he dealt with on one occasion was in an extremely sensitive condition. In dealing with this particular bomb Lieutenant Clinton ran the gravest risk, especially after the mechanism had started and stopped again since it is unusual to expect in this event that the mechanism has but a few moments to run before the striker is released.

Lieutenant Clinton’s actions in withdrawing the 17a and 50 fuzes by hand as described in another incident was extremely hazardous since it was known that there was the strong possibility of an anti-withdrawal device being fitted behind the 17A fuze. That the slightest vibration was likely to activate the 50 fuze. That courage and tenacity of purpose of a very high order. His regard for the safety of the men working under him has always been a primary consideration.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

Bar to George Medal.

The Recommendation is taken from file WO373/68/49 held at the National Archives.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 17th August 1943. Supplement 36136. Page 3690.

On the night of the 3/4 March 1943, enemy aircraft dropped approximately 350 anti-personal bombs on Essex. The bombs fell in the open country and mostly on the surface. It was necessary to dispose of these bombs as soon as possible as they were holing up agriculture and could not be adequately guarded in the rural areas in which they fell. Owing to an exercise the only officers available to deal with these bombs were Major Gerhold, Lieutenant Clinton, Lieutenant Blackshaw, and Sergeant Hall. 

At the time in question little was known regarding the action of these anti-personnel bombs, and instructions as to their disposal were by no means complete. The anti-personnel bombs were fitted with two new types of fuzes which had not hitherto been encountered in England. One type, fuze 70B, was an anti-handling fuze designed to set off the bomb at the slightest touch. The other type was a long delay fuze 67, designed to explode the bomb at any time up to half an hour after falling. Owing to faulty action. these fuzes are liable to stop and subsequently restart if the bomb is disturbed, or even if other bombs within 25 yards exploded.

When possible these three officers and Sergeant Hall threaded a cord round or through projecting portions of the bombs and jerked them by remote control. When this was not practicable, or the bomb with which they were dealing did not explode on being jerked, they placed an explosive charge against the bomb and blew it up. In such cases, the charge had to actually touch the bomb to ensure 100% efficiency. In instances where bombs are buried, it is necessary to find them by hand and remove any earth that may be laying on them. A charge can then be laid on these bombs which will destroy them. The danger lies in the risk of disturbing the bombs which may set them off.

These three officers and Sergeant Hall between them dealt successfully with 314 of bombs which fell of, this number, 67 were dealt with by Major Gerhold 69 by Lieutenant Clinton, 95 by Lieutenant Blackshaw and 83 by Sergeant Hall. In disposing of this bombs each of these officers and N.C.O. displayed sustained courage of a high order as the disposal of each bomb constituted a very real risk.

Recommended and awarded Bar to his George Medal.

Sgt J. Cooke. GM. BEM.

Bomb Disposal Unit (UK).

Gilbert and Ellice Islands.October 1965 to May 1966.

Major Qualtrough and Sgt J. Cooke BEM, were tasked with a most hazardous overseas task. Initially on there way to Betio Island, they were to carry out a reconnaissance on Penang, of abandoned Japanese mine and bomb dumps. Part of Penang had been cleared in the 1950’s, however nine storage tunnels and hidden pits were discovered and contained a vast collection of mines and shells, many oozing explosives. Work went on in Penang till November 1965, when both men set of for Betio.The majority of explosives on Betio were found to be in fifty collapsed bunkers. Qualtrough and Cooke’s official task was to, clear the bunkers by hand and sea dump the contents, re-inter any body parts found and finally give the island a clearance sweep using mine detectors, a doubting task. A preliminary reconnaissance was undertaken on the 30th November 1965, forty two bunkers were located, some gun sites, others command posts and bomb stores. The collapsed bunkers contained shells for 203, 152, 157 and 76.2 mm caliber, also present were mines bombs and other ammunition. Work commenced on the 3rd December, locals were employed for the task alongside fifteen prisoners provided by the Chief Police Officer. By 19th January 1966 al bar one bunker was clear. The ammunition removed was in poor condition, some so badly deteriorated that it gave of toxic fumes. The local work force however was uninterested in safety often removing the explosive at night for private use. The final bunker was the most difficult, as it had suffered several direct hits through the war. Excavation began on 29th December 1965 but on 3rd February work ceased as the risks were too great, 20.3 tons had by now been removed. Sea dumping continued till 3 March 1966. In total over 100 tons of explosives were cleared from Betio, however much more remained. Both Major Qualtrough and Sgt Cooke were later awarded the George Medal.

127300 Lieutenant

Charles Ernest Davies

George Medal

23 Bomb Disposal Company

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is taken from file WO373/67/44 held at the National Archives.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 28th of October 1941. Supplement 35326. Page 6247.

Lieutenant Davies has been engaged continuously on Bomb Disposal since August 1940. During this period he has dealt with over 400 bombs of all sizes, including 36 Category “A” incidents nearly all the Category “A” incidents were dealt with before the requisite instruments for dealing with such bombs had been brought into use, and every bomb was a potential booby trap. He has at all times shown a splendid spirit, and by his courage and devotion to duty has set a fine example to the men under his command.

On the 21 September 1940, at Weybridge, two 250 kilogram bombs were dropped on the Hawkers Aircraft Factory. One of the bombs which had not penetrated was removed, the other bomb was under the concrete floor in a workshop, and excavation was commenced immediately, continuing all night until 8 am.  next morning. This bomb was successfully extracted. The destruction of twenty-five British aircraft was, without doubt, saved through the perseverance of Lieutenant Davies.

On 28 October 1940, at Onslow Village, Guildford, a 250-kilogram bomb had fallen at the rear of a row of houses, under a sewer and also under cable and pipes carrying all the main services. This bomb was fitted with a No. 17 fuze and a plain green fuze. Both fuzes stuck when Lieutenant Davies made an attempt at defuzing. The bomb was, however, removed to a safe spot and demolished.

On 28 October 1940, at Ormonde Road, Godalming, a 250-kilogram bomb fell in a passageway in the middle of a row of houses. This bomb was fitted with Number 17 and 50 fuzes. It was removed into the roadway, loaded on to a lorry and taken to an open site for demolition. Lieutenant Davies personally helped in this operation.

On the 10th of May 1941, at Air Speed Factory, Christchurch, twelve bombs were dropped. All the bombs, some of which were Category “A”1, were cleared by 12.30 p.m the same day. The two-pin plug discharger was used by Lieutenant Davies on all the fuzes but on testing two of them afterward they were found to be alive.

The Director of Bomb Disposal states that Lieutenant Davies has an outstanding record of courageous action and fine leadership during which his own safety has been completely disregarded.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

166507 Lieutenant (Temporary  Captain)

John Ernest Arthur Deacon

George Medal

27 Bomb Disposal Company

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is taken from file WO373/69/773 held at the National Archives.

Placed in the London Gazette on the 25th January 1946. Supplement 37444. Page 659.

On the 25 October 1945, a 250. KG bomb containing a delay action and anti-handling fuzes was uncovered at Belmont Road, Belfast. The site was adjacent to the Automatic Telephone Exchange serving the Northern Ireland Parliament at STORMONT and two other buildings. The anti-handling fuze was dealt with, but it was found necessary to move the bomb away from site for destruction with the delay action fuze in position but neutralized by a electro-magnetic “clock stopper”.

During the operation of moving the bomb the clock stopper became damaged rendering the completion of the task extremely hazardous. In spite of this with great devotion to duty and regardless of personal safety, Captain Deacon and Sergeant Parker  completed this most hazardous work, thereby removing the danger to the telephone exchange and enabling large numbers of people, who had been evacuated at short notice, to return to their home.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal

Sergeant A Parker was also awarded the George Medal, see separate entry.

87982 Lieutenant

Thomas James Deane

George Medal

Bomb Disposal

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is from file WO373/67/187 held at the National Archives.

Placed in the London Gazette on 17 February 1942. Supplement 35460. Page 773.

Lieutenant Deane has been continuously on bomb disposal work for the past twelve months, during which time he has most successfully dealt with over 200 bombs of all types. He has also assisted the Royal Navy in the removal and destruction of over 35 parachute mines when very little was known about them.

Lieutenant Deane has displayed an outstanding degree, cool deliberate courage, and devotion to duty, with the utmost consistency. His assistance to the Royal Naval Mine Disposal Officers in dealing with unexploded mines is worthy of note, since at the time, excepting that they were extremely sensitive to movement and vibration, which made the work of digging down and moving into position to enable the Naval Officer to get at the fuzes, the most hazardous part of the operation.

Typical incidents of this kind are described in one of the operations with which Lieutenant Clinton was concerned, and the danger which he accepted so coolly and with utter disregard for self cannot be to emphasised. This officer’s fearlessness, courage, and cheerfulness, established early, has been maintained throughout the whole period and has proved a tonic of immense value to his brother officers and his section.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

2068288 Company Quartermaster-Sergeant 

Peter Neville Denison

George Medal

14 Bomb Disposal Company

Royal Engineers

The Recommendation is taken from file WO373/66/1434 held at the National Archives.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 21st October 1941. Supplement 35319. Page 6107.

Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Denison has been engaged in Bomb Disposal for twelve-months and has shown consistent courage, determination, and good leadership during the whole of that period.

At Sunderland on the 12 August 1940, an unexploded bomb which weighed 250 kilograms, fell close to a battery of radial drilling machines in a shipyard. This bomb penetrated to a depth of 15 feet under some steel plates. Work was carried on by improvised artificial light provided by a motor-cycle headlamp screened by a greatcoat throughout an air raid, and in spite of bombs and splinters falling, and the difficulty of position of the bomb. The bomb was, however, successfully recovered and defuzed, thereby enabling the shipyard to start work.

Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Denison also carried out continuos recconaissance of unexploded bombs during the heavy air raids on Sheffield between the 13th and 16th December 1940. He worked on the disposal of five unexploded bombs with delayed action 17 fuzes during this period, and continued work during the second heavy air raid whilst bombs were falling in the vicinity, on a 250 kilogram delayed action bomb near large petrol tanks.

The Inspector of Fortification and Director of Bomb Disposal states that he considers Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Denison has shown a high degree of courage and devotion to duty.

Recommended and awarded the George Medal.

Lt Kenneth Dickinson. GM

10 Bomb Disposal Section.

4 Bomb Disposal Company.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 22nd June 1941.

Awarded for an incident within the Shoeburyness Garrison Essex, 18 August 1940.Lt Dickinson was based with his section at Bury Saint Edmund, his citation sums up the bravery of all those serving in Bomb Disposal in the early days.His citation reads:”Lieut Kenneth Dickinson has been engaged upon Bomb Disposal duties since June 1940. On the 18th August an unexploded bomb fell within the confines of Shoeburyness Garrison. He immediately went to the spot and with the assistance of A Sgt and a Spr, despite the fact that there was a severe air raid on at the time they uncovered the bomb, placed it in a lorry and drove the dangerous cargo to a safer spot where he finally defuzed it and rendered it safe.”The whole operation was carried out under constant air raid conditions.

Capt William Arthur Dixon. GM, MC, AMInstCE

3 Bomb Disposal Company.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 30th September 1941

Awarded for work at Sicilian Avenue Holburn London. 10th December 1940.On the night of 9th September 1940,  a bomb landed in Sicilian Avenue, Holburn. Capt Dixon inspected  it early morning of the 10th. The bomb had only just penetrated the pavement, was partly broken and laying near the surface. This bomb was causing serious problems with the traffic. Dixon decided to take immediate action regardless of the considerable risk, as the bomb was fitted with a No 17 fuze, which was ticking.Due to the distorted bomb casing there was no chance of stopping the clock, therefore the explosive fill was removed whilst the fuze ticked on. The operation was a success. This was one of over a hundred bombs that Dixon dealt with, including four category A’s.Dixon had been awarded the Military Cross prior to joining Bomb Disposal.

119063 Lt William Anderson Feather GM, BSC.

4 Bomb Disposal Company.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 28th October 1941.

Awarded for incidents at:Royal Naval Mine Depot Wrabness Essex, 21/23 August 1940.Explosives and Chemical Products Works Harwich Essex, 9/15 September 1940.West Raynham Airfield Norfolk, 28 October 1940.Massingham Airfield Norfolk, 29 October 1940.Bury Saint Edmunds Suffolk 17 July 1941.On the 2nd October 1940 a bomb landed in the Royal Ordnance Factory, this was given a A1 category. Work started immediately, the soil was of blue clay composition, difficult to dig and timber, this problem continued through out the war. This bomb took fifty one days to reach and immunise after digging three shafts, it was at thirty four feet depth and off to one side at a distance of 16 feet.Lt Butch Feather was a BD Officer from the begining, with 4 BD Company, based at Bury St Edmunds. Although at the time he was at Hornchurch working under very heavy raid conditions.21st August 1940, Butch Feather went to eleven UXB’s reported to be 50kg’s just outside the Royal Navy Mine Depot. Loaded sea mines were stored here. Even though these mines were within close proximity to the working area, Feathers supervised his digging teams for two days, on five bombs presenting the greatest risk to the mines. One was found to be fuzed with a long delay, this fuze was removed before it detonated.On the night of the 9/10 September, Feather went to ten category A bombs. These were in the works of the Explosives and Chemical Products Company, Harwich. On investigation three 500kg bombs and seven 50kg bombs were located.  Within fifty yards of most of these bombs was a gunpowder storage area, containg one ton of gunpowder.  With his men he worked for days whilst under constant air attack, andit was only  due to his tenacity and leadership, that the task was completed. All bombs immunised and work in the factory started in the minuim time possible.On October the 28th Feather was called to the RAF base at West Raynham, near Kings Lynn, where thirty five unexploded 50kg bombs were located. They had only just penetrated the ground. Feathers team worked quickly to uncover them and he removed the no 17 fuzes that they were armed with. He at the time had no knowledge of no 17 fuzes being fitted into the 50kg bomb. Due to their speed the airfield was back in operation  on the same day.The next day saw him at Massingham, dealing with two 250kg and one 50kg bomb. These were made safe by the fuzes being removed within three hours of landing , this was a great risk as the 250 kg bombs often were fitted with a booby trapped 17 fuze.

377837 Maj George Raymond Fletcher, GM, MBE.

4 Bomb Disposal Squadron.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 21st April 1970.

Awarded for a incident on at building site at Burghely Road, Camden, London, on the 1/2 October 1968.No further details at this time.

130518 2/Lt James Ford, GM

2 Bomb Disposal Group.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 11th March 1941.Awarded for a incident at Bexley Mental Institution, Kent on the 18th October 1940.A large bomb had fallen into the Boiler House at the Bexley mental Institution. Lt Ford was tasked for the job. The bomb was located in the flue, the temperature was in excess of 100 degrees Fand the area was polluted with gas, making conditions difficult to work in. Ford however, displaying great courage and fortitude managed to render the bomb safe and arranged for its removal.

133006 Capt Samuel Garside. GM.

Divisional Officer.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 30th September 1941.

Awarded for  incidents at: The river at McNeils Wharf, Barking Essex , 24 September 1940.High Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, 1941.Garside is credited with one of the fastest and safest disposals recorede. He with his Sgt went to investigate a reported UXB,  on arrival they found a clear pathway that the bomb had made through the ground, (called a trace).The bomb was a 500kg this was determined by the size of the entry hole, approximetly 24 inches. Garside probed the hole until he reached the tail fins. As they were in reach he tied a rope to them, betwen him and his Sgt they were able to pull the tail fins from the ground. When these were removed it left a clear shaft, using a long pole Garside pushed an explosive charge down onto the bomb, which they then detonated exploding the bomb below. Site cleared without having to get a shovel out.For this and other incidents he recieved the George Medal.

Lt George. M. Gaylor GM. 23 Bomb Disposal Company. Posted in the London Gazette on the 20th April 1945. Awarded for an incident at Hassault, France in the Albert Canal, on the 6th November 1944.Work on rebuilding a destroyed bridge onthe Albert Canal was halted on the 6th November, as a UXB was discovered 30feet under the water. Lt Gaylor, went into the canal in a diving suit. He located the bomb, half buried in mud a under torn rail lines, steel girders and general wreckage. To get to the UXB he had to squeeze between the girders putting his suit at risk of ripping and his air line fouling. His life line was also at risk of catching thus trapping him.He worked under nil visibility conditions, however with the aid of a torch he managed to identify the fuze. No existing immunisation equipment could work under water, so he removed the fuze live. Due to visibility he was unable to be 100% sure that there was no second fuze.  A rope was attached and the bomb lifted to the surface, where it was found to only have a single fuze. Construction work was now able to continue.

131777 Lt Lewis Gerhold GM AND Bar.

11 Bomb Disposal Company.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 30th September 1941, GM and17 August 1943 and Bar.Awarded for incidents at;Royal Ordnance Factory, Bishopton Renfrewshire 4 Oct to 24 Nov 1940.High Level Rothsay Docks Isle of Bute 14 March to 3 April 1941.Tannockside Colliery Lanarkshire 9 to 12 May 1941.Essex 1943.Lt Gerhold was a lucky officer, when he recced a bpmb at a house in Bilbowie Road, Clydebank. It landed at 01.30 on the 14 March 1940, recced on the 15 March at 10.00 and detonated three hours later, before work commenced on it. On the 7th May  similiar luch held for Gerhold a bomb fell in the grounds of 49 Polworth Gardens it exploded at 10.10 before Gerhold arrived to do his recce.May 7th saw Gerhold and his men at Tannochside Colliery, where work had ceased due to a UXB. This task took five days of digging to reach the bomb, it was fitted with a 17 and 50 fuze. The 17 was Stopped and the 50 immunised. Then steam sterilized all completed by 12.00 on the 12th.Another task was dealing with a bomb dropped on the night 13/14 March1941 at NO 2 high Level Docks Rothsay. This bomb had penetrated to a depth of twenty two feet, when uncovered it was found to be fitted both with a 17 and 17A fuze. Tidal conditions affected water levels in the shaft throughout the operation. Due to working conditions this bomb was not rendered safe till the 3rd April.For these and many others Gerhold received the George Medal and Bar.

146273 Lt John Henry Havelock Gray. GM
7 Bomb Disposal Company.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 10 March 1944.

Awarded for an incident at Efford Road, Plymouth, Devon on the 12 August 1943.During a raid on the night of 11 Aug 43, a 500kg bomb fell on the corner of Efford Road, this was the main route between  Exeter and Plymouth and had to be closed. The rest of the roads from the East into Plymouth were also closed due to bombs either being cratered or unexploded.The Efford Road bomb was found to have entered the ground tail first, it ha penentrated  a concrete path, of a building which had been hit and was partially demolished. The bomb was partly uncovered and one investigation it was found that it was fuzed with a 17 which was ticking. To make matters more dangerous, the partially demolished house was overhanging the bomb, right above it was a concrete slab wieghing about a hundredweight, only held by a few strands of metal reinforcement. This was so unstable that it could not be shore it up. Gas was also escaping from a nearby fractured main. As this bomb was on the surface it was and all othere routes blocked it was decided that it was to be dealt with. Lt Gray was given the task, another bomb from this stick had exploded earlier in the morning 06.00. Gray with  Sgt William Bailey, spent four hours between them clearing the debris around the bomb. When cleared they were able to uncover both fuses the 50 was immunised . The was still ticking when the bomb was loaded onto a truck and taken to a bomb cemetary, where it exploded shortly afterwards. Both Lt Gray and Sgt Bailey were awarded the GM for this action.Lt Gray dealt with a further nine bombs fitted with 17 and 50 fuses after this raid.

134891 Lt Clifford Henry Green. GM
23 Bomb Disposal Group.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 11 March 1941.

Awarded for an incident at Dashwood Road, Gravesend, Kent on the 17 December 1940.Shortly after recieving BD training Lt Green was sent to investigate some reported UXB’s at Gravesend. On arriving he found the first two in a school playing field. Following standing instructions, not to remove the fuzes, just identify and note their details, these were surrounde with sandbags to direct the blast away from buildings and detonated. The craters were then filled in by the council. It was later discovered that the fuzing on these was of a long delay mechanism. The third UXB was in the Bowwater Paper Mills, near the River Thames edge. Due to its location it could only be worked on between tides. It was an incendiary, Flam 250. The up side of this job was meals in the works canteen and billets in the Staff Quarters. Good relations were formed between the men and the female staff. The Fourth was located in a back garden, it had been dropped at low level, landed in the road, hit an obstruction, gone into a space between two gardens and come to rest twenty yards away in the garden, with its nose protruding and fuze visable. The fuze was damaged and could not be identified. The locking ring was removed by hammer and cold chisel and when the ring was removed the fuze head came with it, most unfortunate. Green used a Doctors Stethoscope and could hear the fuze ticking. He removed the working party to a safe distance and with a hammer, cold chisel and screwdriver levered out the rest of the fuze. This was a 17 Long Delay. Next the gaine was removed, the fuze fired ten minutes afterwards. Green and Sapper Carter, (for his continous support), was awarded the GM

143303 Capt Henry Arthur Grover. GM
32 Bomb Disposal Section.

1894353 Sgt Thomas Hall. GM
22 Bomb Disposal Company

Lt Evlyn Jolliffe  Halstead-Hanby. GM
8 Bomb Disposal Section
4 Bomb Disposal Company

23056357 WO11 Stephen David Hambrook. GM 49 Bomb Disposal Squadron.

276453 Maj Arthur Bamford Hartley GM, MBE.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 25th March 1960.Awarded for an incident in a sewer at Lower Richmond Road, Putney, London on the 1/2 July 1959.Workmen doing excavation work, alongside a sewer discovered a large bomb and reported it to the police. Maj Hartley and Capt Dace RE, BD stationed at Horsham were sent to the incident. It was identified as a 250kg fitted with two No 17 fuzes. The area was cleared and immunising work commenced. The conditions were unsavoury as well as hazardous. Whilst the work continued the excavation collapsed and raw sewage flowed into the hole, Hartley and Dace continued to work with sewage up to their knees. By 05.00 on the 2nd the fuzes had been removed and the filling steamed out.

Lt P.M. Hennings. GM
12 Bomb Disposal Company.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 2nd February 1945.Awarded for an incident on the East Coast.Whilst engaged in minefield clearance operations early in 1944, Hennings was ordered to clear minefield on the South Coast, prior to D Day. All mines needed to be accounted for as no risk was to be left for the invasion forces due to use these beaches. There was no accurate minefield maps and some mines had moved due to tidal action. Hennings and his men cleared 2,500 mines with no loss life. For this and other incidents Hennings was awarded the George Medal.

73550 Capt William Mark Hewitt. GM
56 Bomb Disposal Section
11 Bomb Disposal Company.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 25 March 1941.Awarded for a incident in the River Tyne, East Linton, Est Lothian on the 30 October to the 1st November 1940.A bomb landed in the River Tyne close to a bridge at East Linton. Capt Hewitt dived several times into the flooded river to locate the bomb. He could not see due to the mud the fuze type, but attempted to immunise it, these attempts were unsuccessfull. Finally he attached a rope to it and aided by Cpl Ramsey and Sapper Smith they were able to tie it round the bomb. The whole section assisted in pulling the bomb from the river. The fuze was identified and immunised, then the bomb sterilised. Thanks to Hewitt and his men a important bridge was saved from destruction.

2021663 L/Sgt John Henry Hinton. GM
9 Bomb Disposal Company.68 Bomb Disposal Section.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 22 January 1941.Awarded for work at the Triumph Engineering Works, Coventry between the 15th and 17th October 1940.Whilst assisting Lt Campbell. L/Sgt Hinton was engaged in removing a 250kg bomb from the engineering works in Coventry. Due to this bomb work had ceased in the factory and some homes were evacuated. They worked for 48 hours without rest to remove this bomb. It was fitted with a delayed fuze, which could not be remove. The bomb was loaded onto a lorry and driven of to a safe distance.

1892128
Sgt Leonard Charles Clarence Hollands. GM
3 Bomb Disposal Company

Posted in the London Gazette on the 19th November 1943.Awarded for various tasks in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, between the 14 to 22 June 1943.16 June 43, dealt with a SD2, (Butterfly Bomb) in the circle of the Savoy Cinema, Victoria Street, Grimsby. Due to poor communication this had been completely covered by a sand bag, by a ARP warden. This Hollands removed by remote control. The friction in the tackle proved to much and he had to enter a false roof to get nearer and pull them free. The device exploded, luckily Hollands was protected by the sandbags. Another was found in a gutter at the Carr Lane School, this he reached by climbing along a sloping roof, with the risk of displacing slates onto the device. The 17th saw him dealing with 4 devices at the Tramway Depot Wharf, Victoria Street. The wharf was in a decaying state. To ensure nearby buildings were protected a sand bag wall was built. This proved dangerous in its self due to the poor condition of the wharf. When done the devices were destroyed by controlled explosions. The only damage two broken windows.

1880443 Corporal William Hone. GM
9 Bomb Disposal Company

Posted in the London Gazette on the 30th September 1941.Awarded for: Smiths Stamping Works 8th Oct 40, Morris Mechanisms Ltd 10 April 41, Daimler Factory 11 April 41, all in Coventry.Cpl Horne was assiting his section officer, in the Morris Factory, dealing with a 250kg bomb. This was found under a capstan lathe. It was armed with a 17 and 50 fuze. This came as a great relief as they were using a pneumatic drill to dig down to it. It was uncovered and immunised in eight hours.  Next the Daimler factory, a 1000kg bomb was discovered, it was located 20 feet down in waterlogged ground. The fuze was unidenifiable so a decision to steam it out was agreed upon. The base plate was jammed so it was cut of with a hacksaw, this took 5 hours working in bad conditions.

Major M.J.V Hoskins. GM.

Awarded for clearance work in Penang 1967 to 69.Thousand of tons were disposed of by demolition or sea dumping. All was in a dangerous condition after 21 years of corrosion and deterioration in a climate of 90% humidity. At the same time twelve man clearance  teams under Hoskins were in Brunei and other places in Malaysia.Maj M.J.V Hoskins was awarded the George Medal also honoured were S/Sgt J.C.V. Wood and  G. Duncan, Order of the British Empire MBE.

Major R.H. Hough GM, MBE. 

Awarded in 1953 for minefield work.Maj Hough and WO E.E. Thompson crawled into a live minefield at Mundesley on Sea, to recover Corporal Braddock who was injured. On reaching him it was found he was already dead.

54288 Major John Pilkington Hudson. GM.
George Medal and Bar, MBE
HQ, Director of Bomb Disposal. 

Posted in London Gazette on the 20th April 1943.Awarded for an incident at Flour Mill, Albert Bridge, Battersea, Londonon the 24 June 1943.Major Hudson was a Boffin and needed fuzes for his research. He had developed a process for temporarily freezing a fuze, so enabling its removal whilst inert . He used this system on the Albert Bridge bomb. It took two hours the fuze pocket cracked, however no explosion occurred. It took twenty three minutes to remove the fuze, three over the safe time for freezing. Bar to GM Posted in the London Gazette on the 13th September 1944.Awarded for an incident at Strawberry Hill Farm, Staplecross, Sussex between 24th June and the 2nd July 1944.Hudson assisted by Mr Hurst and Doctor Dawson went to investigate a flying bomb that had landed at the farm without going off.  Tey wanted to examine the fuzing system, this being the first one to be found intact. Two fuzes found were the same as previous finds. The third in a rear side pocket was unmarked and unknown, it was to be recovered at all costs. Radiography equipment was used and showed a 17 clockwork fuze. Te operation was complex and went on for 9 days before it was removed, it was found to have only 32 minutes left to run when it had stopped.

1883537 Sgt John Sidney Jelley. GM.
8 Bomb Disposal Section.
4 Bomb Disposal Company. 

Posted in the London Gazette on the 22 January 1940.Awarded for action at Theatre Street, Norwich, Norfolk on the 23rd September 1940.At 01.00 on the morning of the 19 September, a large bomb fell in Theatre Street. This area was highly populated and had to be evacuated. Another bomb of similiar type dropped with this one had exploded at 12.45 that day. Due to ots location it was not deemed to be of a high priority so was left for a safety period of four days. Work commenced on the 23rd September and the bomb was found to be of a 880lb type, located twenty two feet underground. The fuze was clockwork and new a type. With the knowledge that this bomb could explode at any time Jelley with total disregard for his personal safety carried on working until the bomb was loaded onto a lorry and taken away. He insisted that he went with it to a safe location.

179170 Lt Gordon Martin Jensen. GM.
3 Bomb Disposal Company.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 19th November 1943.Awarded for action at various sites in Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Linconshire, between the 15th to 22nd June 1943.At Ogle’s Timber Yard, on the 15th June, Lt Jensen found a SD2 (Butterfly bomb), resting near to a piece of Belguim Machinery, which was very valuable. Sandbags could not be placed as the floor was found to be loose and movement of the device was possible. This device was fitted with a anti handling fuze. Therefore he attached a cord to it, on the assumption that if pulled hard enough, the device would travel far enough way from the machinery before exploding, so preventing damage, in this assumption he was proved correct. The next day he dealt with another SD2 under a projector in the Palace Cinema. He constructed a tunnel of sandbags to pull the device through, with cord, away from the projector.  He managed to pull the device out of the room before it exploded causing minimual damage, five broken windows.On the 20th June he was found on hands and knees, attempting to extract a SD2 fron a seven junction drain. If this had exploded it would have caused problems for drainage for many houses. A tower of strawbales was placed around the manhole and a magnet suspended in the middle. This was carefully lowered onto the bomb and raised out of the drain and once clear another bale was put over the drain to prevent damage if the device went of. This action was completed safely.

Cpl W. Jones. GM. 
5 Bomb Disposal Company.

Posted in the London Gazette on the 2nd February 1945.Awarded for action at Orbois France, Sept 1944.Cpl Jones was engaged on clearance of mines and booby traps in the village of Orois. Where four accidents had occurred. Between the 3 to 7 September he cleared eleven booby traps two being very sensitive. On the 8th when his section Officer, Platoon Sgt and L/Sgt became casualties of a Schu mine, Cpl Jones continued clearance operations, although the Section Officer expressed doubts as to the viability of the equipment in use. The 12th September saw a L/Cpl and a Sapper killed in the same minefield. Work continued with Cpl Jones in charge. Clearance was hindered by equipment strewn across the area and fallen trees. Cpl Jones was honoured for his leadership and high devotion to duty.