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George VI British Empire Medal (Civil Division) – Robert Longstaff, who was awarded the BEM for rescuing a pilot from a Hampden Bomber after it had crashed nearby
£375.00
Era: WW2
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A second world war BEM awarded to Robert Longstaff for rescuing a pilot of a Hampden Bomber when it had crashed nearby.
George VI British Empire Medal (Civil Division) named to Robert Longstaff
London Gazette: 17th May 1940 (B.E.M.)
Robert Longstaff, Proprietor of the Togston Garage, North Broomhill.
‘On December 27th, 1939, a Hampden Bomber of the Royal Air Force was returning from an operation over enemy territory. On preparing to land, the aircraft crashed within 500 yards of the boundary of the aerodrome and burst into flames. The pilot of the aircraft was seriously injured and the other two members of the crew were killed.
Mr. Robert and Mr. George Longstaff, who are the proprietors of a garage in the vicinity of the aerodrome, heard the noise of the crash and immediately went to the scene with fire extinguishers. On arrival they found the aircraft on fire, but Mr. Robert Longstaff managed to get the pilot clear of the machine by cutting some of the rigging with which he had become entangled.
He then, with Mr. George Longstaff, made attempts to rescue the other two airmen who were trapped in the fuselage. They were warned that there might be bombs on the aircraft, but they continued to use their utmost efforts, in spite of the fact that machine-gun ammunition was exploding and the flames increasing in severity. It was only when the heat became altogether too intense that they gave up their efforts to free the airmen.’
There are more details regarding the incident in the book ‘Almost Forgotten – The Search for Aviation Accidents in Northumberland’ by Chris R. Davies.
The medal is in good condition and comes in fitted box of issue.
Comes with some research.
Era: WW2
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