British Empire Medal (For Gallantry) and WW2 Defence Medal – Fireman John Alfred Christian, Works Fire Brigade, Royal Ordnance Factory

A second world war civilian BEM for gallantry awarded to Fireman John Alfred Christian, Works Fire Brigade ,Royal Ordnance Factory. 

British Empire Medal (Civil) (Gallantry Citation) named to John A. Christian
WW2 Defence Medal unnamed as issued

L.G.: 18th September 1945 (B.E.M.)

Citation:
An explosion occured at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Kirkby, during the filling of highly dangerous ammunition. The night was exceptionally dark, there was no moon, and it was raining heavily. The major explosion was followed by others. Almost all lights were extinguished and soon the only illumination in and around the shattered bomb strewn building was given by the fires which broke out. The morale of the factory staff was superb. All the operatives were aware of the dangerous nature of the work and immediately the noise of the explosion was heard, rescuers ran from all the near-by buildings. Girl operatives, who had made their escape from the building, returned to bring out their injured friends. The Factory Fire Brigade were on the spot within a matter of minutes and ran their hose into the building. Whilst the fires blazed and bombs continued to explode, the injured were brought out and desperate attempts made to release a trapped man. They continued until the Assistant Superintendent, who was in charge in the absence on leave of the Superintendent, ordered everyone to leave the building and take shelter behind the mounds. The responsibility laid upon Mr. Denny was heavy, but his decision was justified, as in a few minutes another explosion brought down more wreckage. It was nearly day-break when a pile of bombs in their wooden crates, crushed beneath the fallen roof, was seen to be on fire and out of reach of the fireman’s hose. The fire was gaining and, had it taken hold, the consequences would have been disastrous over a wide area of the Factory.

Mr. Denny entered the building alone. He sought some way of getting at the flames and having found this, came out and explained the position to Forbes and Topping. Without hesitation the two men volunteered to enter the building and tackle the fire from within at the proposed angle and range. The three men cautiously groped their way into the wrecked building. Standing among the damaged ammunition, which the rush of water was sufficient to disturb, with consequent risk of detonation, they brought the fire under control and completely extinguished it.

Byron, Christian and Hankin took their hose into another part of the wrecked building. They showed devotion to duty and voluntarily exposed themselves to the danger of death or serious injury.

Mr. Gale, who was on leave when the explosion occurred, returned immediately. A preliminary survey was made and a scheme, evolved by the Superintendent. It was carried successfully into effect mainly through his initiative and leadership. He organised and thoroughly tested the safety precautions, was present a considerable part of every day when work was in progress and no fresh step was taken until he had personally assured himself that the methods were as safe as his knowledge and ingenuity could make them. By his coolness, ability, courage and inspiring leadership, Mr. Gale completed a unique and terrifying salvage task without a single casualty.

Bywater, Edwards, Fitzmaurice, Murdoch, Panton and Rowling formed the team of volunteers who cleared the wrecked building. In a task presenting vast problems they displayed courage and co-operation of the highest order. The ammunition which had caused the accident was anti-personnel and anti-disturbance, and the fuzed time-bombs, scattered over and under the debris, made clearance nearly impossible by detonating without warning and in an absolutely unpredictable manner. A constant risk was the movement of wreckage and any one member of the team, by ignorance, negligence or a moment’s carelessness endanger the lives of the others. The high standardof the team work at Kirkby is shown by the fact that during the clearance operations there was no casualty.

All members of the team, under the leadership of Mr. Gale and Mr. Denny, showed high courage and devotion to duty in volunteering for and carrying through over a period of three months, so arduous, unpleasant and dangerous a task.

The medals are in good condition.

Comes with copies of London Gazette entry, details of incident, photos and newspaper articles.

Please see photos.

Regiment: Works Fire Brigade, Royal Ordnance Factory

Era: WW2