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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 473

Five: Fireman J. F. Duffin, Hammersmith Branch, London Fire Brigade, late Driver, Royal Field Artillery, who was wounded in the Great War and served during the London Blitz during the Second World War

1914-15 Star (105909. Dvr. J. Duffin. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (105909 Dvr. J. Duffin. R.A.); Defence Medal 1939-45; London Fire Brigade Long Service (Fireman J. F. Duffin), good very fine (5)

John Finch Duffin was born at Ashford, Kent on 7 January 1899 and during the Great War served in France from 29 November 1915. He was wounded by a gunshot to the back on 17 July 1917 whilst serving with the 55th Field Artillery and was admitted to 56th General Hospital as a result.

Having returned home, he was a long-served member of the London Fire Brigade (No. 859) and by the time of the 1939 census was registered at 24 Marlesford Lodge, King Street, Hammersmith. The burden of fighting the London Blitz in Hammersmith and Fulham would have fallen upon men like Duffin. On 16 April 1941, Alexander Pierce wrote:

'Last night was the worst that we have had to go through in regards to air raids. It started at 9am and went on until 5am next morning and air planes were over all the time and they have done a lot of damage. Our house suffered quite a lot. It was done by a land mine.'

"The whole of King Street shops were a proper wreck next morning. I hope that we do not have to go through another night like it. Our airmen went to Berlin last night and gave them a taste of their own medicine."

Duffin died in Norwich in late 1973.

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Sold for
£270

Starting price
£70