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Auction: 17001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 267

A Second World War B.E.M. awarded to Fireman H. J. W. Gurr, who was decorated for his bravery following an explosion at the Royal Ordnance Factory

British Empire Medal (Civil), G.VI.R. (Harold John Wesley Gurr), good very fine

B.E.M. London Gazette 10 April 1942. Joint citation with Assistant Foreman E. B. H. Williams, also of the Royal Ordnance Factory:

'Seven men were in a factory building when an explosion occurred. A portion of the roof was blown off and the building set on fire. Williams, when he heard the explosion, at once ran to the scene. He first turned off the valve leading from the mixed acid storage tank and then the valve on the local storage tank outside. As only four men had been accounted for, it was thought that the others might have been trapped in the building, which was still alight. In addition to the fire, there were possible dangers from fumes, splashing with acid and secondary explosions. Without considering the risk to themselves Williams and Gurr volunteered to search the premises but found that nobody had been left inside. Williams then attempted to close foot valves on mixed acid service tanks and was able to close three or four of these before being overcome by fumes. Williams and Gurr showed courage and devotion to duty.'

Harold John Wesley Gurr served in the Royal Army Medical Corps in Mesopotamia in the Great War and, following events at the Royal Ordnance Factory, was appointed an officer in the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including Ministry of Supply letter of notification for the award of the recipient's B.E.M., addressed to him at '42, Firth Road, Llanelly', and dated 9 April 1942, together with another forwarding a length of medal riband; Central Chancery investiture letter, dated 1 May 1942; a related newspaper cutting and a portrait photograph in R.A.M.C. uniform.



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Sold for
£380