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Metropolitan Police Gallantry Awards 1939 - 1945

by alphabetical order of Surname

Surname

Forename(s)

Year

Award

Rank

Details

Abbs

1944

BEM for gallantry in WW2

WR PC

PO 24-Oct-1944

Allen

William H

1941

George Medal

PC

Almond

Frederick Charles

1941

George Medal

SC

Tunnelled below mass of overhanging debris and uncovered man to allow injection from doctor. Showed courage of the highest order. London Gazette 7-Feb-1941

Ambrose

Joseph Adrian

1941

BEM for gallantry

Station Cleaner

WW2 Employed a station cleaner at Rotherhithe, Mr Ambrose was always prepared to accompany rescue parties to scenes of air raid damage, and assisted police voluntarily often at risk to his own life

Ashmore

Richard Palmer

1941

BEM for gallantry

pc

WW2. With Stn PS Saunders BEM worked with tireless zeal and great gallantry to rescue trapped people and were responsible for saving a number of lives London Gazette 35162 16-May-1941

Atkins

1940

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

PC

King's commendation for war duties. Supplement to London Gazette 34994 dated 15-Nov-1940 PO 18-Nov-1940

Auty

Harold

1941

BEM for gallantry in WW2

PC

Outstanding courage and devotion to duty at many air raid incidents using expert knowledge to extricate trapped people, on one occasion tunnelling 12 feet to rescue 3 people. London Gazette 35258 29-Aug-1941

Bailey

Ronald Tom

1939

KPM

DS

Forced car of thieves to stop by leaping on to running board

Balance

John

1941

King's commendation for war duties

SC

WW2. Commended in London Gazette 35162 16-May-1941

Baldock

William

1941

BEM for gallantry

PC

WW2 Meritorious service and in connection with war activities. Supplement to London Gazette 35058 31-Jan-1941

Bannister

John

1942

KPFSM

PS

Went twice into fiercely burning house in Farleigh Rd, Stoke Newington and rescued two of the three occupants before being overcome with smoke

Barnes

Douglas Martin

1942

KPFSM

PC

Whilst investigating a robbery committed by soldiers in Piccadilly, pursued and arrested suspect after being shot at three times.

Bartlett

Gilbert James Alexander

1941

BEM for gallantry in WW2

Sub Div Insp

London Gazette 35285 26-Sep-1941 During four hours of strenuous tunnelling through debris, released six men after bombs demolished houses. With civil defence leader John Searle and George Smith, both BEM.

Barton

James Thomas

1941

KPFSM

PC

With PC Thomas Pritlove, disarmed man holding shotgun at PC Barton’s stomach after a Post Office robbery.

Bass

Henry

1941

George Medal

PS

Bates

Harry J

1941

George Medal

Insp

Beavis

Frank George

1943

KPFSM

PS

With PC Ernest Drew, overpowered and arrested a man who had threatened them with a loaded rifle and fixed bayonet pointed at them as they rushed his locked door in Diss St, Shoreditch.

Berry

Robert

1941

King's commendation for war duties

PS

London Gazette 35239 8-Aug-1941

Bignall

William Sydney

1941

BEM for gallantry

WR PC

WW2 With PC Pedrick GM called to family trapped beneath two houses demolished by high explosive bomb, and crawled into wreckage following PC Pedrick and pulled man clear, following which he pulled wife clear whilst PC Pedrick supported masonry

Blake

Frederick C

1941

George Medal

Stn PS

Block

Ralph C

1941

George Medal

WR PC

London Gazette 35252 22-Aug-1941. Tunnelled into demolished houses to rescue woman in operation taking two hours despite escaping ammonia fumes, water and gas. With George Prowles of ARP rescue party

Bond

Henry Lauriston

1941

BEM for gallantry in WW2

PC

London Gazette 35285 26-Sep-1941 With Insp Sloan BEM released 10 people from debris of block of flats and then dug for half hour for further victim who was extricated just beofre wall collapsed.

Brandon

Henry J B

1941

George Medal

PC

Bridge

William Albert

1941

KPFSM

PC

Mounted running board of jewel thieves’ car until it was stopped and the men arrested

Bridle

William H

1941

George Medal

PC

Briggs

Briggs

Charles Robert

1941

MBE for gallantry

Superintendent

Went to partially demolished house and climbed through debris to basement to search for survivors despite further HE bombs which set debris alight. Helped to subdue flames and eventually 15 survivors rescued. London Gazette 35180 6-Jun-1941

Brown

James Wilson

1941

BEM for gallantry

PC

WW2. Bombs wrecked houses and caused flooding from damage to water mains. With ARP warden Bird, officer waded through rising water to carry people to safety

Brown

William T

1941

BEM for gallantry

PC

WW2 Meritorious service and in connection with war activities. Supplement to London Gazette 35066 7-Feb-1941

Browning

Ronald Charles

1944

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

pc

London Gazette 36824 5-Dec-1944.

Burgess

Frederick M

1941

George Medal

PS

Burgoyne

Henry

1941

George Medal

PC

With PC James, entered collapsed block of flats and rescued man who died, an unconscious woman and continued to dig until he reached further victims. London Gazette 35074 14-Feb-1941

Burrows

Charles Henry

1941

George Medal

PC

London Gazette 35271 12-Sep-1941 rescue of trapped people from bombed building.

Bursnall

Matthew

1939

KPM

PC

Succeeded in arresting a drunk despite being seriously injured by gun shot wounds in Bayswater

Cackett

Edward W J

1941

BEM for gallantry

PS

WW2 Meritorious service and in connection with war activities. Supplement to London Gazette 35066 7-Feb-1941

Carmichael

Alexander

1939

KPM

PC

Shot in the leg while assisting a colleague arrest two fugitives known to be armed running from Dollis Hill Station

Carpenter

1940

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

PC

King's commendation for war duties. Supplement to London Gazette 34994 dated 15-Nov-1940 PO 18-Nov-1940

Carpenter

Reginald

1943

KPFSM

WR PC

Involved with other officers in road block at Staines Bridge to capture Canadian soldier driving stolen lorry, and armed with machine gun and revolver.

Catchpole

Rupert Frederick

1944

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

PS

London Gazette 36824 5-Dec-1944.

Champs

Frederick Henry

1939

KPM

PC

Without a torch to identify the live rails, went onto the railway line at Sudbury at night to rescue man from an oncoming train.

Childs

Edward Horace

1941

King's commendation for war duties

PC

London Gazette 35239 8-Aug-1941

Cockburn

Herbert

1941

BEM for gallantry in WW2

PS

London Gazette 35285 26-Sep-1941 Tunnelled for an hour through debris to reach a woman trapped in chair, sawed through chair despite rubble overhead and rescued woman.

Coker

Frederick

1941

George Medal

Insp

Cole

James Arthur

1944

Bar to KPM

SD Insp

In a 13 hour siege in Barry Road, East Dulwich, under cover of tear gas, rescued sister of mentally disordered man who fired his shotgun at any movement, and rushed the man's room who then shot himself. Wore gas masks for 5 hours. With other officers.

Collman

Frank

1944

Bow Street Reward Fund

DS

On 22nd July 1944 were threatened with firearm by a suspect in a West End hotel who pointed gun at his head and pulled trigger. Weapon misfired and man then overpowered with help of DC Joyce

Collyer

Sidney

1942

KPFSM

PC

With PC Frederick Lee, chased, caught and held an armed suspect after a violent struggle, despite both officers being shot and wounded

Comley

1940

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

PC

King's commendation for war duties. Supplement to London Gazette 34994 dated 15-Nov-1940 PO 18-Nov-1940

Coomber

Sidney Cyril

1941

George Medal

DC

With PC Grose and Captain Bailey of Church Army entered house and removed men to safety despite perilous masonry and escaping gas and water and air attack in progress. London Gazette 35200 27-Jun-1941

Cosham

Albert Edward

1939

KPM

PC

Drove more than 40 miles at very high speeds in successful pursuit of Post Office robbers whose reckless driving included serious attempts to force him to crash.

Court

Dennis Sturgess

1943

KPFSM

PC

Badly wounded by a US soldier whom he chased after the man had wounded a woman in Coventry Street. The constable was stabbed three times, once in the face, during the pursuit, but tackled the suspect and arrested him

Cox

William J

1941

George Medal

PS

Crowhurst

Kenneth George Dewin

1941

King's commendation for war duties

Stn Insp

London Gazette 35200 27-Jun-1941

Cruickshank

Cyril T S McB

1941

BEM for gallantry

PC

WW2. Supplement to London Gazette 35074 14-Feb-1941

Crump

John H

1941

George Medal

PC

Cummin

Arthur Stephen

1941

King's commendation for war duties

PC

Commended for service in connection with war duties London Gazette 35156 9-May-1941

Darkins

Jack Alfred

1941

King's commendation for war duties

PC

WW2 London Gazette 35252 22-Aug-1941

Davies

Samuel

1941

BEM for gallantry

PC

WW2. Supplement to London Gazette 35074 14-Feb-1941

Davies

David Glyndwr

1941

BEM for gallantry

PC

WW2 Meritorious service and in connection with war activities. Supplement to London Gazette 35058 31-Jan-1941

Davison

Jackson J

1941

George Medal

PS

Deacon

Graham

1941

George Medal

Special Sgt

Volunteered to squeeze through gap under demolished house to rescue man aged 60 amid continuing falling debris for 2 hours.

Dean

George H

1941

George Medal

PC

Douglas

William E

1941

George Medal

Stn PS

Drew

Ernest

1943

KPFSM

PC

With PC Frank Beavis, overpowered and arrested a man who had threatened them with a loaded rifle and fixed bayonet pointed at them as they rushed his locked door in Diss St, Shoreditch.

Dunn

Duncan

1941

BEM for gallantry

PC

WW2. Supplement to London Gazette 35074 14-Feb-1941

Edmonds

Edward Leonard

1944

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

PC

London Gazette 36824 5-Dec-1944.

Edwards

Walter R

1941

George Medal

PC

Evans

Stanley Charles

1944

BEM for gallantry in WW2

PC

London Gazette 36413 7-Mar-05.

During an air raid, with PS Robson GM BEM and WR PC Foxton, tunnelled into debris for 2 hours with party wall hanging dangerously over house wrecked by air raid. Brought out man and then further 2 hours for a woman.

Fabian

Robert Honey

1940

KPM

DI

Dismantled second IRA bomb at scene of an explosion at Piccadilly.

Farthing

Clement Harry

1941

BEM for gallantry in WW2

Sub Div Insp

Led his men fearlessly and efficiently during the period of air raids. Forced his way into building on fire to rescue a womanand then returned to execute a further search despite continuing air raid. London Gazette 35239 8-Aug-1941

Finbow

Leslie E

1941

George Medal

PC

Removed considerable debris and extricated 3 women and then a man in operation taking 4 hours during which building was burning and gas pipe fractured. With Bernard Campbell ARP leader London Gazette 35156 9-May-1941

Fleming

John Edward

1941

BEM for gallantry

PC

Off duty PC Fleming entered smoke filled house where elderly bedridden woman was in upstairs house after incendiary bomb. Had to search one room, then another which was on fire before bringing her downstairs to safety. London Gazette 35169 23-May-194

Flett

James F J S

1941

George Medal

WR PC

On 20 March 1941 with PC Stone tunnelled into bombed house at Morrison Road, Barking and rescued small girl who was being suffocated by her pillow but was rescued with only a scratch on her ankle. Supplement to the London Gazette on 13th June 1941.  PC Bedwell awarded King's commendation in same incident.

Foster

George Edmund

1941

George Medal

PS

With PCs Parker, Stone and Troman, all BEM, rescued 3 women from building demolished by high explosive bomb, despite escaping gas and water, and withdrew just before their tunnel collapsed. London gazette 35239 8-Aug-1941

Fotheringham

John

1941

King's commendation for war duties

PC

WW2 London Gazette 35252 22-Aug-1941

Foxton

Stanley George

1944

BEM for gallantry in WW2

WR PC

London Gazette 36413 7-Mar-05.

During an air raid, with PS Robson GM BEM and PC Evans, tunnelled into debris for 2 hours with party wall hanging dangerously over house wrecked by air raid. Brought out man and then further 2 hours for a woman.

Francis

Charles T

1941

BEM for gallantry

PC

WW2. Supplement to London Gazette 35074 14-Feb-1941

Franklin

1940

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

PC

King's commendation for war duties. Supplement to London Gazette 34994 dated 15-Nov-1940 PO 18-Nov-1940

Freake

Leonard Henry

1941

King's commendation for war duties

WR PC

WW2 London Gazette 35252 22-Aug-1941

Freeman

1941

King's commendation for war duties

PC

Commended for service in connection with war duties London Gazette 35143 25-Apr-1941

Freston

Stanley George

1941

King's commendation for war duties

WR PC

Commended for service in connection with war duties London Gazette 35156 9-May-1941

Gahan

E R R

1940

BEM for gallantry

Stn Insp

WW2. Attended no fewer than 22 aerial bombardment incidents, showing leadership throughout. Organised chain gang of soldiers and civilians to remove debris. Stopped fires from spreading by organising teams of residents. London Gazette 34994 15.Nov

Garrard

Albert W

1943

George Medal

WR PC

George

1940

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

Insp

King's commendation for war duties. Supplement to London Gazette 34994 dated 15-Nov-1940 PO 18-Nov-1940

Gilbert

Ernest F

1941

George Medal

WR PC

Saved a family during an air raid in Dulwich during WWII

GORDON

Albert Victor

1941

George Medal

WR PC

With WR PC Young burrowed into debris of wrecked house for 2 hours and released trapped woman just before house collapsed. London Gazette 35258 29-Aug-1941

Gott

John

1941

George Medal

Jun Station Insp

WW2. With Stn PS Mahir, also GM tunnelled into wreckage of house wrecked by air raid and rescued victim. WR Bignall assisting warded BEM. London Gazette 35143 25-Apr-1941

Grant

George Sidney

1943

KPFSM

PC

Involved with other officers in road block at Staines Bridge to capture Canadian soldier driving stolen lorry, and armed with machine gun and revolver.

Gray

William J

1944

George Medal

PC

London Gazette 26-May-1944

With a 17 year labourer William Gray, entered building on fire and at risk of explosion from diesel tank and rescued one man before whole building collapsed and made further rescues impossible.

Greenslade

1941

King's commendation for war duties

PC

WW2. Supplement to London Gazette 35081 21-Feb-1941

Grey

Herbert Frederick

1941

BEM for gallantry in WW2

PS

London Gazette 35245 15-Aug-1941 Organised rescue of people trapped in demolished houses after air raid notwithstanding the risk from collapsing masonry

Griffiths

Willie

1941

George Medal

PC

Grigg

David L

1941

George Medal

PS

Grose

Reginald George

1941

George Medal

PC

With DC Coomber and Captain Bailey of Church Army entered house and removed men to safety despite perilous masonry and escaping gas and water and air attack in progress. London Gazette 35200 27-Jun-1941

Ground

Frederick William

1939

KPM

PC

Involved with other officers in incident where off-duty DC Pillar was forced to drive from Woolwich ferry by two armed deserters. DC Pillar crashed his car, and the men were arrested after a chase under gunfire.

Gunn

William Richard

1940

George Medal

PC

Hack

Albert E

1944

George Medal

PS

Hack

William George

1940

George Medal

PC

Hales

Lewis Alexander

1941

King's commendation for brave conduct

WR PC

London Gazette 35258 29-Aug-1941

Hales

Charles A

1941

George Medal

PS

Hall

Leonard D

1941

George Medal

PC

Hammerton

1940

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

WR PC

King's commendation for war duties. Supplement to London Gazette 34994 dated 15-Nov-1940 PO 18-Nov-1940

Hardy

Alfred

1941

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

WR PC

London Gazette 35271 12-Sep-1941

Harridine

Joseph Leonard Lewis

1941

King's commendation for war duties

WR PC

WW2. Commended in London Gazette 35162 16-May-1941

Hayward

Ernest Victor

1940

KPM

PC

Dismantled an IRA bomb he found in a shop window in Tottenham Court Road in the middle of the night

Hemley

George Edward

1939

KPM

PC

Involved with other officers in incident where off-duty DC Pillar was forced to drive from Woolwich ferry by two armed deserters. DC Pillar crashed his car, and the men were arrested after a chase under gunfire.

Hill

Basil Edward

1941

BEM for gallantry

PC

Made a hole under a slab and removed debris to rescue a man trapped by wreckage from air raid, despite bombs continuing to fall in the vicinity and considerable risk of wreckage slipping and crushing him to death. London Gazette 35143 25-Apr-1941

Hite

Vernon T W

1941

George Medal

SC

Hogarth

1940

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

PS

King's commendation for war duties. Supplement to London Gazette 34994 dated 15-Nov-1940 PO 18-Nov-1940

Hoggard

Walter

1941

King's commendation for war duties

PS

London Gazette 35239 8-Aug-1941

Holloway

William James

1944

BEM for gallantry in WW2

Insp

London Gazette 36824 5-Dec-1944 After flying bomb demolished house and lifted 9" slab under house, Insp Holloway cleared debris and squeezed through to rescue woman child and then another woman despite fire above his head

Holmes

William T

1941

BEM for gallantry

PC

WW2. Supplement to London Gazette 35074 14-Feb-1941

Holyhead

Rodney Victor

1944

BEM for gallantry in WW2

WR PC

London Gazette 36535 30-May-1944. With SD Insp Tribe forced their way through flooded water after gas, sewer and water main burst to enter bomb damaged house at 1st floor, and rescued 2 women and man through 4 ft of water to rear.

Honour

William Albert

1941

MBE for gallantry in WW2

Superintendent

With Stn Insp Nightingale BEM and other officers entered bomb damaged house despite fires surrounding premises, and after an hour, released trapped man from under a joist. London Gazette 35293 3-Oct-1941

Hopkins

1941

BEM for gallantry

PS

WW2 Meritorious service and gallant conduct on the night of 21st September 1940. Supplement to London Gazette 35043 17-Jan-1941

Hughes

Leslie F

1941

George Medal

PC

Jackson

Alfred William

1941

BEM for gallantry in WW2

Insp

Re-engaged pensioner. Displayed outstanding leadership and initiative throughout period of intense enemy air activity. By coolness and courage set a splendid example to men under him. London Gazette 35194 20-Jun-1941

Jackson

Edward William Thomas

1940

George Medal

PC

Jackson

Arthur E

1941

BEM for gallantry

Special Sgt

WW2. Supplement to London Gazette 35074 14-Feb-1941

James

Evan J

1941

George Medal

Stn PS

James

John P

1941

George Medal

PC

With PC Burgoyne searched demolished flats for victims but was then overcome by gas. He returned to assist and rescue man (died) and woman.

Johnson

Stanley W

1941

George Medal

PC

Tunnelled through collapsed house to reach victim and then burrowed further to reach second victim. In wreckage in danger of collapse for half an hour and under threat from gas. London Gazette 35066 7-Feb-1941

Joyce

Harry

Harry

1944

Bow Street Reward Fund

DC

On 22nd July 1944 were threatened with firearm by a suspect in a West End hotel who pointed gun at DS Collman's head and pulled trigger. Weapon misfired and man then overpowered with help of DC Joyce

Kane

John

1942

KPFSM

Stn PS

Chased, disarmed and arrested a suspected deserter who had tried to escape being taken in custody at Streatham Police Station by threatening officers with a loaded revolver.

Keery

William J

1941

George Medal

PC

Kelly

1940

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

PC

King's commendation for war duties. Supplement to London Gazette 34994 dated 15-Nov-1940 PO 18-Nov-1940

Kemp

Harold George

1944

BEM for gallantry in WW2

PC

London Gazette 36824 5-Dec-1944. After flying bomb hit house, made hole 9' deep and sheltered woman whilst both dragged out by team of helpers.

Kerrison

Edward Philip

1940

George Medal

PC

Also DCM. See details in Museum

Lee

Charles Henry

1941

BEM for gallantry

SC

WW2 With Sub Inspr Orr and SD Insp Payne, involved in systematic searching of bombed houses, extinguishing fires, evacuations and splendid and heroic rescues without equipment of any kind

Lee

Fredrick Walter

1942

KPFSM

PC

With PC Sidney Collyer chased, caught and held an armed suspect after a violent struggle, despite both officers being shot and wounded

Lees

Bernard

1940

George Medal

PC

Leslie

James William Crichton

1941

George Medal

PC

With Edward Scanlon of ARP rescue party rescued child. Leslie tunnelled under debris and after one and half hours removed the little girl. London Gazette 35200 27-Jun-1941

Levy

Isaac

1941

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

WR PC

London Gazette 35271 12-Sep-1941

Lewin

1940

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

PC

King's commendation for war duties. Supplement to London Gazette 34994 dated 15-Nov-1940 PO 18-Nov-1940

Lindsell

Charles

1943

KPFSM

Ex PC

Alias Linsdell? Involved with other officers in road block at Staines Bridge to capture Canadian soldier driving stolen lorry, and armed with machine gun and revolver.

Littlemore

1941

King's commendation for war duties

PC

Commended for service in connection with war duties London Gazette 35143 25-Apr-1941

Lowery

1940

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

PC

King's commendation for war duties. Supplement to London Gazette 34994 dated 15-Nov-1940 PO 18-Nov-1940

Lowes

1940

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

PS

King's commendation for war duties. Supplement to London Gazette 34994 dated 15-Nov-1940 PO 18-Nov-1940

Lusignea

H C

1940

BEM for gallantry

Insp

WW2. Night after night during bombing raids showed inspiring leadership. Examined new type of bomb closely at great personal risk ands organised smooth evacuation of 2-3000 residents.

London Gazette 34994 15 Nov 1942

Mahir

Thomas E

1941

George Medal

Stn Insp

WW2. With John Gott, also GM tunnelled into wreckage of house wrecked by air raid and rescued victim. WR Bignall assisting warded BEM. London Gazette 35143 25-Apr-1941

Mann

Charles G T

1941

George Medal

PC

Marks

Samuel

1941

BEM for gallantry

WR PC

WW2. Supplement to London Gazette 35074 14-Feb-1941

Martin

Jasper

1941

George Medal

PS

Martin

Albert V

1941

George Medal

PS

Mawer

1940

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

PC

King's commendation for war duties. Supplement to London Gazette 34994 dated 15-Nov-1940 PO 18-Nov-1940

May

Percival Thomas Frederick

1941

King's commendation for war duties

PC

Commended for service in connection with war duties London Gazette 35156 9-May-1941

McDonough

Clarence L

1941

George Medal

Stn Insp

McFall

Richard Bradshaw

1941

King's commendation for war duties

pc

Award of commendation by the King in London Gazette 35180 6-Jun-1941

McFarlane

Neil Robertson

1941

George Medal

PS

London Gazette 35271 12-Sep-1941. With PS Sherlaw rescued warden from bombed house cellar twn feet below ground level and then two other men despite being waist deep in water, and roof collapsing shortly after they left premises.

McKechnie

1940

King's commendation for brave conduct in WW2

Stn PS

King's commendation for war duties. Supplement to London Gazette 34994 dated 15-Nov-1940 PO 18-Nov-1940

McKenning

John E

1941

George Medal

PC

McKitterick

Arthur James

1939

KPM

PC

Repeated entry into gas filled house to rescue occupants

McVernon

John

1942

KPFSM

DC

Arrested a larceny suspect after a long chase through Pimlico streets in the course of which the man shot at the officer.

Mead

John W T

1941

George Medal

PC

Meager

John

1944

BEM for gallantry in WW2

PS

London Gazette 36824 5-Dec-1944. After HE bomb hit house, tunnelled through debris and was at one stage overcome by gas. Continued to tunnel and saw through joists and eventually freed man, notwithstanding continuing air raid and gun fire.

Meek

Thomas H

1941

BEM for gallantry

PC

WW2. Supplement to London Gazette 35074 14-Feb-1941

Monteith

William

1942

KPFSM

DC

Disarmed and arrested a youth previously escaped from custody who was threatening him at point blank range with a pistol

Moore

Arthur Edward

1941

King's commendation for war duties

WR PC

London Gazette 35239 8-Aug-1941

Morrison