Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A well-documented post-War B.E.M. for gallantry group of four awarded to Fireman A. A. Dawton, London Fire Brigade, for his gallantry in rescuing four people from a burning house on 19 December 1963

British Empire Medal, (Civil) E.II.R., with gallantry emblem (Arthur Alec Dawton.) in Royal Mint case of issue; Defence Medal; Fire Brigade L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (Fireman Arthur A. Dawton); London County Council Fire Brigade Good Service Medal (Arthur A. Dawton 1954); together with two London Fire Brigade cap badges, about extremely fine (4) £600-£800

B.E.M. for Gallantry London Gazette 28 July 1964:
‘A fire broke out at a building of five floors and a basement. On the arrival of the brigade the first floor was well alight but people could be seen at a third floor window. An escape was pitched with difficulty and although there was dense smoke at the head of the escape Fireman Dawton ascended and succeeded in helping two women and a man on to the escape. An elderly woman remained in the building and was unable to climb out as the others had done. When she fainted Fireman Dawton entered the room where despite blinding smoke, intense heat and falling and burning debris, he attempted to lift the woman on to his back preparatory to climbing down the escape. On account of her weight he was unable to do this, but managed to pass the still unconscious woman through the window to a Sub-Officer at the head of the escape. There is little doubt that the four people, and particularly the elderly woman, were saved because of the courage and determination displayed by Fireman Dawton.’

Arthur Alec Dawton served as a Fireman with the London Fire Brigade, based at Cannon Street Fire Station, and was awarded the British Empire Medal for Gallantry for the above rescue which took place at 199 Upper Thames Street, EC4, on 19 December 1963. He was presented with his B.E.M. by the Lord Lieutenant of London, Field Marshal the Earl Alexander of Tunis, K.G., at County Hall on 29 October 1964.

Sold with named Buckingham Palace enclosure and copy of the London Gazette announcing the award; 10 Downing Street letter announcing the award and London Fire Brigade letter of congratulations; various letters regarding the investiture; Invitation from the Lord Chamberlain to the recipient and his wife to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, 21 July 1966; the recipient’s riband bar, with gallantry emblem on the B.E.M. riband; and a large quantity of photographs, including the recipient being invested with his B.E.M. by Lord Alexander.