The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection

An unusual Second World War G.M. awarded to Flight Lieutenant J. P. Lewin, Royal Air Force Reserve of Officers, for saving life after the largest ever ordnance explosion in the United Kingdom - namely that which occurred at the R.A.F’s underground bomb store at Fauld, near Burton-on-Trent in November 1944 and resulted in over 60 fatalities

George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Flt. Lieut. John P. Lewin, R.A.F.O.), in its Royal Mint case of issue, extremely fine
£2400-2800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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G.M. London Gazette 10 April 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘On Monday 27 November 1944, an explosion on an immense scale occurred in a mine forming the R.A.F. bomb storage depot near Burton-on-Trent. The depot, which consisted of tunnelled workings into low hills, was divided into two parts, known as the Old and New Mines, by a solid wall partly of native rock and partly of artificial construction. The explosion occurred in the small New Mine where some 4,000 tons of bombs and other explosives were stored, including over,1,500 four-thousand pound bombs. This part of the depot was completely obliterated, a crater 350 yards by 600 yards being formed with an enormous open rent in continuation to the north-west. Serious damage was also done to the Old Mine, alongside where some 8,000 to 10,000 tons of bombs were stored. Here blast caused dangerous roof falls and cracks and scattered bombs and other explosives over the floors whilst poisonous fumes generated by the explosion percolated from the New Mine. Apart from the damage to the depot, a nearby commercial mine was completely wrecked by huge quantities of rock and sodden earth thrown up by the explosion and by escaping waters of a small lake which had burst open. Over 60 people lost their lives. Flight Lieutenant Lewin on his own initiative, and alone, entered the mine some 20 minutes after the explosion and carried out a prolonged search in the underground workings. He later entered a second time with Foreman Coker and remained underground for about an hour searching most of the roads in an endeavour to find the missing persons. The fumes had by this time become more dangerous and while Foreman Coker persisted as long as he could, he had in the end to be carried out by Flight Lieutenant Lewin, who then re-entered the mine alone to continue his endeavours. He did not abandon his search until the arrival of teams of the Mines Rescue Organisation with oxygen apparatus. Flight Lieutenant Lewin then went to the nearby commercial mine and descended the air shaft several times to a dangerous gas-filled area to remove casualties. Finally, he assisted Wing Commander Kings in organising over ground relief measures. Throughout he acted with gallantry, initiative and complete disregard for his own safety.’

John Preston Lewin was born in Plymouth, Devon in September 1916 and was working as a clerk in Cardiff at the time of applying for a commission in Equipment Branch of the Royal Air Force in April 1939. Appointed a Pilot Officer that July, he served out in the Middle East before attending an explosives course back in the U.K. in January-March 1942, and was advanced to Flying Officer prior to being placed on the Reserve in April 1943. He was, however, retained on the Active List for the duration of hostilities, and was serving as a Flight Lieutenant in 21 Maintenance Unit at the time of the above cited incident at the R.A.F’s underground bomb store at Fauld, near Burton-on-Trent. Lewin relinquished his commission on the Reserve in July 1959.

Sold with a substantial amount of related research and newspaper articles, a copy of the book The Day the Dump Went Up, by Mark Rowe, and a hand drawn sketch which outlines the course taken by the recipient in the ruins following the explosion.