A Second War 1940 ‘London Blitz’ B.E.M. awarded to Mr. F. P. Sheldon, Junior Charge Engineer, Southern Railway, for his gallantry in helping to extinguish a two-ton fire at the Southern Railway’s Power Station, Wimbledon, after it had been hit by a high explosive bomb, 15 October 1940

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Frederick Paul Sheldon) extremely fine £400-500

B.E.M. London Gazette 30 May 1941: Frederick Paul Sheldon, Junior Charge Engineer, Southern Railway (in a joint citation with Wilfrid Cyril Smith, Charge Engineer, Southern Railway [awarded the George Medal])
‘When a high explosive bomb hit a Boiler House it became essential to draw the fires from a number of boilers, each of which had a pair of gates holding nearly two tons of fire. Smith and Sheldon collected a band of volunteers to attempt this hazardous task. Standing in the reflected light amid showers of red hot cinders which charred their boots and clothes, they worked without a stop for over three hours until the task was successfully accomplished. All the time there was considerable danger from escaping steam and precariously suspended debris. Although injured by scalding water, Smith continued to organise and supervise all the fire fighting arrangements and helped the men in their work whenever possible. The work carried out under the direction of Smith was of the greatest value and both he and Sheldon showed exemplary courage in a very grave situation.’

The original Recommendation for Sheldon’s British Empire Medal gives further details and states:
‘During a heavy night raid on London on 15th October, 1940, a large high explosive bomb hit and exploded within the west chimney and main flue of the Southern Railway Durnsford Road Power House, Wimbledon Park, causing their total destruction. This Power House supplies the current for the Electric Services of the Western Section Suburban Area. The fall of the 231 foot high brick chimney demolished the roof of the Boiler House (in which at that moment 16 of the 20 boilers were in commission), and also the bunkers and one side of the Turbine House (in which 2 of the 6 turbines were running). Falling debris also severed the steam and water connection to the boilers, releasing high temperature vapours and scalding water. The main flue was blasted into a tangled mass, setting free the hot flue gases and disturbing tons of soot. The loss of the chimney draught forced the flames from the boiler fronts into the firing alley, creating a situation of grave danger to the dazed men on duty in the Boiler House, and to the whole Power House. All lights had now failed and smoke and vapour were emerging from the Boiler House.
It was considered necessary to draw the fires from the 16 boilers, each of which had a pair of grates holding nearly two tons of fire, and a band of volunteers was collected to attempt this hazardous task. Standing in the reflected light amid showers of red hot cinders which charred their boots and clothes, they worked without a stop for over three hours until the task was successfully accomplished. All the time there was the danger of precariously suspended debris falling on them, and from escaping steam; also the anti-aircraft barrage was a constant reminder of the presence of the enemy aircraft, attracted by the exposed glare to the open sky, the air raid being continuous throughout the night.
When the explosion occurred, Junior Charge Engineer Frederick Paul Sheldon, after taking No. 1 Turbo Generator in the Control Room off load, as the machine was surrounded by debris with a consequent risk of a serious accident to it, accompanied the Charge Engineer into the Boiler House and then took charge of the band of volunteers to draw the fires from the drained boilers, remaining with the men until the work was successfully accomplished despite the dangers to which he and the men were exposed. It was some time before the local Fire Brigade could get close to the scene of the damage, due to the cascade of bricks having blocked all approaches, but eventually they were able to supply valuable help by playing their hose pipes on the back of the grates which could not be reached by rakes.
Sheldon showed exemplary courage and initiative, and was a source of inspiration to the men.’

Frederick Paul Sheldon was born at Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, in 1909, the son of Thomas Sheldon, who worked for Manchester tramways as a Generating Station Engineer. After the Great War the family moved to London, and Frederick followed in his father’s footsteps, being employed at the Southern Railway’s Power Station at Dunsford Road, Wimbledon, from the age of 16. After the War the Dunsford Road Power Station was subsequently decommissioned, and is now the site of South Western Railway’s Wimbledon Traincare Depot.

The George Medal awarded to W. C. Smith is on display in the National Railway Museum, York.