WW2 ‘Eastbourne Blitz 1940’ George Medal and Defence Medal Pair – Rescue Worker Edwin Humphrey May, Civil Defence Service

A superb second world war ‘Eastbourne Blitz 1940’ George Medal pair awarded to Rescue Worker Edwin Humphrey May, Civil Defence Service. 

George VI George Medal named to Edwin Humphrey May 
WW2 Defence Medal unnamed as issued 

London Gazette:
GM- 17th January 1941
The original recommendation states:
  ‘As a result of a raid by enemy aircraft three houses were completely demolished and several persons were trapped under the wreckage. The efforts of the Fire Brigade were a great contributing factor to the ultimate release of five of the persons trapped. Chief Officer Phillips acted with much energy and resource, making many excursions under the wreckage, directing operations and generally encouraging his men. Rescue and other Services were immediately in action at the scene but some time later an unexploded H.E. bomb was discovered 200 feet away. In consequence volunteers were called for, Blackmer, May, Stevens and Turney were among those to volunteer.

  Blackmer, Stevens and Turney were concerned in the work of penetrating the wall of a cellar, through a matchboard refrigerator lined with cork and then through another 12 inch concrete wall. This work was carried out in dangerous conditions, in a very confined space with the constant peril of heavy falling debris. Through these efforts, three of the persons trapped were rescued. May laboured unceasingly throughout the night in a most gallant manner.

  Blackmer and Turney were overcome with the cold and the effects of escaping gas and water in the cellar and had to be taken to the Depot. Some time later, however, they returned to work and gave strenuous aid to the task of releasing a young girl who was pinned down by timber and debris, a weight which six jacks had failed to move. After heavy toil, the timber was at last lifted. The whole of this courageous action was carried out in appalling conditions. In their efforts, which greatly contributed to the ultimate rescue of five of the seven trapped persons, these men laboured in an atmosphere rendered foul by escaping gas, in a cellar filling with water. Further they worked for a great part of the period with the knowledge that there was a delayed-action bomb only 200 feet away.’ 

Edwin Humphrey May was a member of a Civil Defence Rescue Party which was operating on the night of 28th September 1940. During the attack a bomb collapsed a building in the town and the Rescue Party was called in to try and clear the debris to get to the seven people believed to be in the building. Due to the manner of the building’s collapse they were forced to effect entry through the cellar, cutting through a refrigerator and a 12-inch thick wall.

The cellar on the far side was filling with water and what is worse an unexploded bomb- found to be on a delayed response timer- was less that 200 feet away. The original rescue party numbered seven men however two of them were overcome by the cold water and the effects of gas and had to be pulled out of the cellar. Five of the trapped people were saved although two sadly died, the Chief Officer commanding the party was awarded the M.B.E. and the four volunteers the George medal with original recommendation stating:

‘Mr. E. H. May was among those to volunteer. Throughout the night and well into the next day, rescue work went on and May laboured in very perilous conditions. The danger from heavy falling debris was very great, there was a serious escape of gas and the cellars of the demolished houses were filling with water. The night was pitch black and overhead passed a constant stream of enemy raiders. For the greater part of the night, May had the knowledge that there was a delay-action H.E. bomb within 200’.

Throughout, he aided the unfortunate victims and carried out. [sic] his duties as a member of the squad in a very gallant manner, in the most appalling conditions, regardless of personal risk. This gallant rescue work contributed in large measure to the ultimate saving of five of the trapped persons.’

May later went on to be called up for military service. 

The group comes with research including recommendations for award and a newspaper article.