Life Saving, Police and Fire Brigade Medals from the James N Spencer Collection

A rare London Blitz B.E.M. and L.M.S. Medal for Courage pair to Chief Foreman H. J. Taylor

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Henry Joseph Taylor); London, Midland and Scottish Railway Medal for Courage, silver (Chief Foreman Henry Joseph Taylor, Poplar 7th September 1940), engraved ‘1940’ on reverse exergue, complete with brooch bar, extremely fine (2) £900-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Life Saving, Police and Fire Brigade Medals from the James N Spencer Collection.

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B.E.M. London Gazette 24 January 1941. ‘Henry Joseph Taylor, Chief Foreman, London, Midland and Scottish Railway, Poplar.’

‘Taylor observed enemy raiders from the front door of his house. Bombs started to fall, one of which blew the whole of the windows from the house. Trucks were on fire on all sides of the docks, and although Taylor tried to extinguish these it was found that the water supply had been cut off. He organised the fire fighting arrangements by means of the fire pump, with water from the docks.’

Taylor remained with the L.C.C. fire brigade throughout the night and the following day, rendering all the help possible, and finished up in an exhausted condition on the following day. Enemy action continued throughout most of the night.’

The L.M.S. Medal could be awarded with either the words ‘For Courage’ or ‘For Merit’ appearing on the reverse. It is believed that about 20 medals were awarded. See ‘Four Railway Gallantry Awards’ by B. G. Faulconbridge, The Numismatic Circular, May 1979, for a general article on the medal.