Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A superb September 1940 ‘Birmingham Blitz’ Second War G.M. group of five awarded to Lieutenant D. S. F. Rayner, Royal Engineers, for his gallantry in de-fusing six unexploded bombs at an aircraft factory at Castle Bromwich on 3 September 1940 and, three days later, for making safe a 250 kilogram bomb at a factory in Birmingham- recommended for the Empire Gallantry Medal, he narrowly missed out on receiving the George Cross

George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Lieut. Douglas Stanley Frederick Rayner. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. D. S. F. Rayner.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, generally good very fine or better (5) £2,800-£3,200

G.M. London Gazette 22 January 1941:
‘For conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’

The Recommendation, originally for an ‘Immediate’ Military Cross, and then for the Empire Gallantry Medal, states: ‘On 3rd September 1940 six unexploded bombs fell in and around an important aeroplane factory necessitating an extensive stoppage of work. Lieutenant Rayner was on the spot with a short time, supervised the evacuation of the bombs, and personally removed the fuses of all six. His work was carried out so speedily that only one half day of production was lost at the factory and by his skill and courage a large portion of a works of national importance was saved from destruction.
On 6th September 1940, in a congested factory area, a 250 kilogram (550 lbs.) bomb was uncovered having a delayed-action fuse. The clock was still ticking and it was realised that the danger of explosion with great damage to the factory production was imminent. Fully realising the danger, Lieutenant Rayner began to withdraw the fuse but found this had become damaged in falling and could not be moved by hand, whereupon he resorted to the use of a marlin spike and succeeded after 35 minutes in prising out the fuse. The bomb was safely removed.’

Douglas Stanley Frederick Rayner was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 23 July 1915, and served with them during the Great War, relinquishing his commission on the cessation of hostilities with the rank of Lieutenant. He was re-commissioned Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 8 June 1940, and served during the Second World War with No. 9 Bomb Disposal Company, in the Birmingham and South Staffordshire Sub-area. For his gallantry on 3 September 1940, at an aircraft factory at Castle Bromwich, Staffordshire, and again on 6 September, at a factory at Yardley, Birmingham, he was originally recommended for the immediate award of the Military Cross; this was then altered to the more appropriate Empire Gallantry Medal.
On 23 September 1940 H.M. King George VI instituted both the George Cross and the George Medal. Awards of the Empire Gallantry Medal made since the start of the Second World War were cancelled, and substituted with the George Cross (and additionally all living recipients of the Empire Gallantry Medal who had been awarded the E.G.M. since its inception in 1922 were required to exchange their E.G.M.s for the George Cross). Rayner’s recommendation for the Empire Gallantry Medal was at this stage proceeding up the chain of command- had it been more speedily approved, or if the King had delayed the institution of the George Cross for a few months, then it is almost certain that Rayner would ultimately have ended up with the George Cross; as it was, the honour for which he was recommended was altered from the Empire Gallantry Medal to the George Medal.

Sold with the recipient’s Royal Society of St. George Membership Certificate, dated 10 September 1941.