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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 717

A Second World War B.E.M. awarded to Mrs P. M. Tyson, who organised the provision of host families for some of the 827,000 children who were evacuated from Britain's Cities deemed at risk of heavy aerial bombardment

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R. (Phyllis May, Mrs Tyson), officially engraved upon a pre-prepared ground, mounted on original ladies bow ribbon with wearing pin, in Royal Mint case of issue, good very fine


B.E.M. (Civil) London Gazette 4 June 1943.

Phyllis May Tyson was decorated for her service as Billeting Officer at Colyton, a small market town in East Devon. Her award is noted in the Devon and Exeter Gazette of 3 December 1943:

'Mrs Phyllis Tyson, Billeting Officer at Colyton, was one of eight women who received the B.E.M. (Civil Division) at a recent investiture.'

As Billeting Officer, Mrs Tyson was likely a local government official charged with delivering the urban evacuation plans of Sir John Anderson, later of 'Anderson shelter' fame; it was her responsibility to pair evacuee children with families and individuals in rural areas, where it was considered there were fewer targets which would garner the attention of the Luftwaffe; sold with copied newspaper entry.


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Sold for
£250

Starting price
£100