Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War Medal of the Order of the British Empire group of three awarded to Superintendent R. Burt, London County Council Metropolitan Fire Brigade, for his gallantry in saving life in Long Acre, London, following an enemy air raid on 29 January 1918

Medal of the Order of the British Empire, (Civil), unnamed as issued, in John Pinches, London, case of issue; Jubilee 1897, bronze L.C.C.M.F.B. (Richard Burt); Coronation 1911, London Fire Brigade (Stn. Off. R. Burt.); together with the recipient’s London County Council London Fire Brigade Good Service Medal, 1st type, bronze (Richard Burt) light contact marks, the last somewhat polished and worn, generally very fine (4) £300-£400

Medal of the Order of the British Empire London Gazette 7 July 1920:
‘For conspicuous ability and devotion to duty at fires caused by hostile aircraft.’

The original Recommendation states: ‘Present at practically all the large air-raid fires in the centre of London, showing conspicuous ability in dealing with such fires, and was present at the fire in Pentonville Road when bombs were dropped from enemy aircraft in close proximity, one fireman actually being injured by a fragment of a bomb.’
‘The L.C.C. list of Recommendations is additionally annotated: This list, I understand, is framed on the basis of including only persons who have risked their life in saving life.’

Street (1992a:49) notes this award as being for rescue work at Odhams Ltd., 93 Long Acre, WC, following the air raid on 29 January 1918.

Richard Burt was born in Kilburn, London, on 12 July 1870 and joined the London County Council Metropolitan Fire Brigade on 3 July 1891. For most of his career he was based at Headquarters, before being appointed Station Officer at Camden Town on 21 October 1908. Promoted Superintendent on 1 August 1916, he served with the Fire Brigade throughout the Great War, and was awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire in July 1920, and retired to pension on 13 September 1920.

Sold with copied record of service.