Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Leading Stoker J. Townsend, Royal Navy, later Sub-Officer, London Fire Brigade, who as an Acting Sub-Officer based at Bethnal Green received a King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct in Civil Defence for the rescue of three persons from a damaged shelter at Skidmore Street, Stepney, on 5 September 1940

1914-15 Star (K. 4395, J. Townsend, Sto.1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K. 4395. J. Townsend, Sto.1. R.N.); Defence Medal, with K.C.B.C. silver laurel spray on riband; London Fire Brigade Good Service Medal, bronze (Fireman J. Townsend) with emblem to riband, mounted court-style, contact marks to the Great War awards, nearly very fine and better (5) £400-£500

K.C.B.C. London Gazette 28 February 1941: John Townsend, Temporary Acting Sub-Officer, London Fire Brigade.

John Townsend was born in Stepney, London, on 16 December 1892 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 14 September 1909 (giving his year of birth as 1890). He served in a variety of ships and shore based establishments during the Great War, and was advanced Leading Stoker on 12 May 1921. He was shore demobilised on 13 September 1921, after 12 years’ continuous service, and subsequently joined the London Fire Brigade as a Fireman on 16 March 1922 He served over the next twenty years at the stations at Whitefriars, Tooley Street, Whitechapel, Brunswick Road, Shadwell, and Bethnal Green.

Townsend was promoted Acting Sub Officer on 7 September 1939, and served during the initial stages of the Second World War, and throughout the Blitz, as Bethnal Green, receiving a King’s Commendation for Bravery in Civil Defence for the rescue of three persons from a damaged shelter at Skidmore Street, Stepney, on 5 September 1940. Transferring to the National Fire Service on 19 February 1942 as a Leading Fireman, based at Homerton, he finally retired on 5 September 1946.

Post-War Townsend joined the Mercantile Marine, as an Oiler and Greaser, and served in the S.S. Orion on the Australian Mails run. His final discharge came on 4 May 1952, in his 60th year. Not eligible for unemployment benefit, he subsequently wrote to the Prime Minister to complain about the injustices of the labour market.

Sold with the following related archive:
i) The recipient’s original King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct Certificate, in OHMS envelope addressed to ‘Mr. John Townsend, 105 Lodge Avenue, Dagenham’, with Home Secretary’s enclosure for the Defence Medal and Central Chancery enclosure for he silver laurel leaf emblem.
ii) Original Royal Navy Parchment Certificate of Service.
iii) Original Qualifications in Stoker Ratings Parchment Certificate; with paper duplicate and Conduct Sheet.
iv) Royal Navy Education Certificate for Stoker Petty Officer, dated 12 May 1921.
v) London County Council First Aid Certificate, named to the recipient and dated 31 July 1922.
vi) The recipient’s Seaman’s Record Book and Certificates of Discharge; together with the recipient’s National Union of Seamen Member’s Contribution Book.
vii) Commonwealth of Australia Certificate of Efficiency as Lifeboatman, dated 4 May 1951.
viii) Copy of a letter written to the Prime Minister, dated 27 May 1952; and 10 Downing Street acknowledgement letter.
ix) Three Driving Licences; a postcard photograph of the recipient; copied record of service; and other ephemera.