Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1941 ‘Bristol Blitz’ B.E.M. group of three awarded to Mr. P. J. Pallant, a Night Telephonist and Call Office Attendant with the Bristol Post Office, who was also a volunteer member of the Post Office Fire Brigade, late Royal Flying Corps

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Percy James Pallant); British War and Victory Medals (42397 Pte 1 P. Pallant. R.A.F.) generally very fine or better (3) £500-£600

B.E.M. London Gazette 14 February 1941: ‘Percy James Pallant, Night Telephonist and Call Office Attendant, Bristol (in a joint citation with Kenneth George Giblett, Unestablished Skilled Workman, Post Office, Bristopl, and Samuel Frank Pople, Night Supervisor, Post Office, Bristol [both awarded the George Medal], and Austin Raymond Ashley, Skilled Workman, Class I, Post Office, Bristol [also awarded the B.E.M.]):

‘Mr Giblett was the Officer-in-Charge of a Post Office Fire Brigade during a heavy air raid on Bristol. Stores adjacent to a Post Office building were reported burning, and as soon as the Post Office Fire Brigade had run out hose and orders had been issued for the Fire Brigade and the owners to be advised, Mr Giblett secured volunteers, broke in and tackled the fire from inside. Owing to lack of equipment within the premises and the nature of the stock, the efforts of the volunteers were unsuccessful in saving the building, but not until it was clear that the roof was falling in did the party withdraw.
Giblett, with his team, continued with water from buckets, showing no sign of fear, despite appalling conditions due to high explosive and incendiary bombs. He carried on throughout the night without thought of personal injury. There is no doubt that Giblett directed the work of the Post Office Fire Brigade with great courage and initiative. He set a fine example which others were proud to follow, and he was primarily instrumental in saving the building from destruction.
Despite the constant threat of danger from bombs and fire, Mr Pople returned to the building, which had been evacuated, and succeeded in restoring communications with London. He then ascended to the roof of the Exchange, with others, to map out a plan of action in the event of the roof catching fire, but owing to the heat and insufficient water pressure, the plan was abandoned and Pople organised a bucket chain team. The flames from the Stores were by this time about 30 feet high and blowing towards the roof. Pople and his men showed no sign of fear, and he undoubtedly played a principal part in saving the valuable equipment from destruction.
Mr Pallant stood out among the team who supported Giblett and Pople.
Mr Ashley, as a member of the Post Office Fire Brigade, participated in an attempt to control the outbreak, but when reports were received that certain power supplies had failed, he returned to the building and restored the supply. He then continued essential maintenance duties, prepared records for removal to a safe place, took steps to prevent water damaging equipment and assisted in organising a bucket chain to fight the fire. Ashley displayed courage and initiative, and, with no thought of personal danger, helped to maintain essential services.’

Percy James Pallant was born in Stoke Newington, London, in 1898. He served during the Great War with the Royal Flying Corps as an Air Mechanic 2nd Class from August 1916. Pallant served in the Egyptian theatre of war from November of the same year, and transferred to the R.A.F. as Private 1 in April 1918. He was discharged Aircraftman 1st Class in May 1920.

After the war Pallant was employed by the General Post Office as a Night Telephonist and Call Office Attendant in Bristol. Pallant distinguished himself during the Luftwaffe raid on Bristol, 24 November 1940. On the latter date around 12,000 incendiary bombs and 160 tonnes of high explosive bombs were dropped on Bristol - 207 people were killed and thousands of houses were destroyed or damaged. Pallant resided at 18 St. Michael’s Park, Bristol, and died in 1966.

Sold with copied research and a group photographic image which includes recipient.