Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M., Second World War Southampton Blitz B.E.M. group of four awarded to Commissionaire W. A. Bedman, Corporation Transport Department, Southampton, late Royal Field Artillery

Military Medal, G.V.R. (127909 Gnr. W. A. Bedman, ‘B’ A.A. By. R.G.A.); British Empire Medal (Civil), G.VI.R. (Arthur William Bedman, M.M.); British War and Victory Medals (127909 Gnr. W. A. Bedman, R.A.), good very fine (4) £700-900

M.M. London Gazette 12 June 1918.

B.E.M. London Gazette 21 February 1941:
The Recommendation states: ‘Bedman volunteered to act as Fire Watcher throughout the night of an intensive air raid. He saw the attack on the town develop, and he left his home, which was in a safe area, making his way through the raid to his office by bicycle. There he found five employees in the shelter. When the fire from adjacent buildings had set the office ablaze Bedman took charge, and, in spite of many difficulties, conducted the occupants safely from the building. He returned to the back of the offices where three buses had been parked, and arranged for two to be moved to safety by corporation drivers. There is no doubt that by his courage, coolness and leadership Bedman was instrumental in getting five persons safely from the building and in saving two buses from damage. These actions took place under heavy bombing and shell-fire.’

William Arthur Bedman’s gallant deeds during the Southampton Blitz were most likely enacted on the weekend of 30-31 November 1940, when for six hours wave after wave of Luftwaffe bombers droned in over the city from Saturday evening until early Sunday morning. Resultant casualties amounted to 137 people killed and 242 seriously injured.