Deptford's and Lewisham's Local Heroes from the Blitz

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by Drew5233, May 15, 2009.

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  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Andy, Great thread.
    Overlaps with the Volunteers from Eire thread with regard to Nurses Fleming and Turner ...

    Fleming, a nurse at Grove Park Hospital.

    Whe the hospital received a direct hit Fleming and another Nurse, Aileen Turner climbed up through the upper windows and crawled on their stomachs across a swaying floor in complete darkness to lead patients to safety.

    Shortly afterwards the floor collapsed into the ward below. A third nurse Ruby Rosser, won the GM for shielding a patient from falling debris with her own body (See post 8).

    Gazette:


    Staff Nurse Mary Fleming and Senior Assistant Nurse Aileen Turner, of Grove Park Hospital, were awarded the George Medal in May, 1941.

    When a high explosive bomb struck Grove Park Hospital, Nurse Turner and Nurse Fleming climbed through a first-floor window, crawled across the floor of a ward which was in highly dangerous condition and released several patients who were trapped.

    The quickness, coolness and courage of these two nurses resulted in all the patients being rescued a few minutes before the floor collapsed.

    Both nurses come from Eire.


    The Times, Saturday, May 10, 1941
    The Times, Saturday, September 27, 1941

    See this thread for ref:
    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852
    :irishflag[1]:
     

    Attached Files:

    dbf, May 15, 2009
    #21
    Buteman and Drew5233 like this.
  2. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Nice work Andy.

    It's good to see more info on the area where we came from.

    Cheers - Rob
     
    Buteman, May 15, 2009
    #22
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Cheers Rob.

    If anyone stumbles on any info related to the above people feel free to PM me and I'll add it to the appropriate post.

    Regards
    Andy
     
    Drew5233, May 15, 2009
    #23
    Buteman likes this.
  4. arkrite

    arkrite Senior Member

    Bravery such as these cases would no doubt be forbidden under Health and Safety Laws of the present day. No risk assesments in those days just raw courage and a sense of duty to others. Makes one feel humble reading of such happenings of which I never tire reading about.Thanks for reminding another generation of the brave people mentioned.
     
    arkrite, May 15, 2009
    #24
  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Andy, found another overlap with the Irish list; don't think you have this man yet:

    *Mr. James Slavin, 27-year-old Irish leader of an A.R.P. stretcher party at Deptford, London, was awarded the British Empire Medal for gallantry in civilian rescue.

    When bombs had demolished houses a tunnel was made and contact established with four people. Mr. Slavin crawled into the tunnel and, although in continual danger of being buried and overcome by gas funes, encouraged the trapped persons, and supplied them with drinks through a tube. Eventually he had to be withdrawn from the tunnel, owing to exhaustion through his efforts.

    *Born in Britain of Irish parentage.

    Listed:
    The Times, Saturday, May 24, 1941

    See this thread for ref:
    www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852
    :irishflag[1]:
     
    dbf, May 16, 2009
    #25
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  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    some further civilian heroes from the Deptford area kindly supplied by Diane (dbf). As with the others any info (especially citations) will be much appreciated.

    Saturday, May 03, 1941 Civil Defence Awards for Gallantry on the Home Front

    GEORGE MEDAL:

    WALTER THOMAS WHEELER, acting clerk of works, A.R.P. rescue service depot, Deptford.


    BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL:

    GEORGE ALFRED CALLOW, leader,
    HARRY WADSWORTH, leader,
    DANIEL JAMES BRAMWELL SWEATMAN, carpenter,
    HENRY JOHN WHEELER, plumber, A.R.P. rescue service depot, Deptford.
     
    Drew5233, May 17, 2009
    #26
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  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Mockford was a A.R.P. Incident Officer in Deptford.

    From The Times, Saturday, Aug 23, 1941. Civilian Awards List. Citation reads:


    Mockford has displayed conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty throughout enemy air attacks on London. He has taken charge of all the major occurences in his area and has been instrumental in saving many lives. On numerous occasions Mockford has risked his life to rescue persons buried in demolished buildings and has face many dangers with cheefulness and determination. He has examined and reported unexploded time bombs, and has carried out these duties with utter disregard of the dangers to himself.


    Many thanks to Diane (dbf) for this citation.
     
    Drew5233, May 17, 2009
    #27
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Two more thanks to Diane (dbf)

    The Times, Tuesday, Jan 04, 1944
    THE NEW YEAR HONOURS
    FINAL SECTION
    CIVIL REWARDS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE

    B.E.M.
    CIVIL DIVISION - UNITED KINGDOM
    Mrs. G.H.M. HUNT, officer-in-charge, C.D. First Aid Post, Lewisham.

    and

    The Times, Wednesday, Oct 11, 1944
    BRAVE CONDUCT BY CIVILIANS
    B.E.M.
    Miss MARY ELIZABETH McCROSSAN, Student Nurse, L.C.C. Hospitals Service, Lewisham

    I think this was when the Hospital was bombed.
     
    Drew5233, May 17, 2009
    #28
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  9. Billsgrand-daughter

    Billsgrand-daughter Member

    Really enjoyed reading this thread as although growing up in that area I never realised it was hit by so many bombs, what brave selfless people they were.
     
    Billsgrand-daughter, Jan 23, 2011
    #29
  10. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Hello Drew,

    For some reason I've only just stumbled across this thread and the other one about the memorial at Lewisham Hospital. Fascinating stuff mate, especially seeing as how I was born in Lewisham Hospital and spent the first 17 years of my life in the area!
    Hats off to you and the other members who have helped with both threads, keep up the good work!!

    All the best............... :)
     
    Paul Pariso, Jan 24, 2011
    #30
  11. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    From the main entrance of Lewisham Shopping centre

    upload_2018-10-23_17-19-13.png
    upload_2018-10-23_17-19-26.png upload_2018-10-23_17-19-37.png upload_2018-10-23_17-19-55.png upload_2018-10-23_17-20-8.png upload_2018-10-23_17-20-24.png upload_2018-10-23_17-20-42.png upload_2018-10-23_17-20-57.png upload_2018-10-23_17-21-13.png
     
    CL1, Oct 23, 2018
    #31
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