Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An Order of St. John and post-war B.E.M. group of five awarded to Mr H. W. C. Helley, Temple Meads Division, St. John Ambulance Brigade, who received the brigade’s highest award for gallantry in respect of his actions during the Bristol Blitz in 1941

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer’s (Brother’s) breast badge, silvered and enamel, with some enamel damage; British Empire Medal (Civil), E.II.R. (Harold William Charles Helley); Defence Medal; Civil Defence Long Service Medal, E.II.R., British reverse, unnamed as issued; St. John Service Medal, with 5 Additional Award Bars (18535 A/Off. H. Helley. Temple Meads Div. No.2 Dis. SJAB. 1938.) silver, very fine (5) £300-£400

Order of St. John, Officer London Gazette 6 January 1961.

Order of St. John, Serving Brother London Gazette 2 January 1945.

B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1962.

Harold William Charles Helley was born in Bristol in January 1903. The 1939 Register gives his employment as ‘Great Western Railway carriage cleaner and first aid duties.’ He was awarded the St. John Ambulance Brigade’s highest award for gallantry, the Meritorious Service Certificate, for his brave actions during the air raid on Bristol on the night of 16-17 April 1941. It was the city’s worst raid with regards to loss of life of the Second World War, with 257 people being killed, mainly in the working class residential areas near the Bristol and Avonmouth docks.

A large number of Civil Defence Gallantry Awards were made in respect of this raid and Helley was among those considered for recognition. The original case file containing his recommendation gives the following Particulars of Action:
‘St. John Ambulance Brigade Officer Helley is attached to the Central Action Depot of the Bristol Casualty Services and on the night of 16th March was called to give assistance at the scene of severe raiding. As the party was being despatched, flares were dropped immediately above and bombs were dropped unpleasantly near. Instructions were given for the party to take cover but Mr Helley replied “If you tell us to go, we’ll go”. He went.
Upon arrival at the incident, Mr Helley took complete command of the whole of the first aid personnel and despite sustained bombing attacks in the near locality, inspired and encouraged the parties to their work with complete disregard for his personal safety.
The incident was situated less than a quarter of a mile away from one of the principle targets of the raid. Within this area large fire was raging, and bombs were falling consistently for many hours, while rescue work was in progress. In spite of the danger, Mr Helley continued his work and although ordering his personnel to drop as bombs were heard to fall, it was noticed that he himself was moving about, encouraging his party members and enquiring as to their safety. When an ambulance driver was hit by falling debris, Mr Helley risked his own safety to render immediate first aid to her.
The doctor in charge of the Mobile Unit at this incident testifies that Mr Helley gave his instructions under exceedingly trying circumstances, and with the coolness and precision as of that on the Parade Ground.’

Helley was awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division) in 1962 in respect of his services as an Instructor in the Civil Defence Corps, Gloucestershire Division (Bristol). He died in 2002 at the age of 99.