Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1940 ‘Southampton Blitz’ B.E.M. awarded to Crane Driver F. C. Clouder, who was employed by Southern Railway at the Southampton Docks, and was originally recommended for the George Medal for his gallantry in saving the life of a Anti-Aircraft gun crew member during a luftwaffe raid on the docks, 14 August 1940

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Frederick Charles Clouder) very fine £400-£500

B.E.M. London Gazette 24 January 1941, Frederick Charles Clouder, Crane Driver, Southern Railway, Southampton Docks:

‘Just after bombs had been dropped in Southampton, Clouder volunteered to assist in removing a wounded soldier from the roof of the Cold Store. This was burning fiercely and A.A. shells standing there were exploding from the heat on the roof. He ran to a crane and guided a rope sling looped on to the crane hood which was placed on the Cold Store roof. The solider was placed in the sling and Clouder lowered him to the ground.

As the raid was still in progress Clouder showed great presence of mind and courage in carrying out this operation in spite of flames and smoke as well as exploding A.A. shells.’

The original recommendation, for a George Medal, states:

‘At about 4.30pm on 15th August, 1940, just after bombs had been dropped in Southampton Docks, Clouder volunteered to assist in removing a wounded soldier (member of an A.A. Gun Crew) from the roof of the Cold Store, which was burning fiercely and A.A. shells were exploding from the heat on the roof. He ran to a crane on No. 40 Berth and an employee of Messrs. Joe Rose and Company, Stevedores, - W. W. Fisher - sat in a rope sling, looped on to the crane hook and was placed on the Cold Store roof. The soldier was apparently unconscious so Fisher placed the sling under the man’s arms and Clouder lowered him to the ground.

The fire, by this time, was rapidly spreading towards Fisher [who was awarded the G.M. for his actions that day] - who was standing on the roof edge - and Clouder did not wait for the sling to be released from the wounded soldier, but raised the crane jib to enable Fisher to grasp the crane hook and he was lowered to the ground in this manner.

The Docks and Marine Manager stated in his report, that in view of the fact that the raid was still in operation and flames and smoke as well as exploding A.A. shells had to be contended with, both these men showed great presence of mind and courage. In a letter received subsequently by Clouder, from Lt. Col. Commanding 24th Light A.A. Regiment, that gentleman states “I express sincere thanks for your courageous action in assisting in the rescue of an injured member of a gun’s crew at the “Cold Storage” building on August 15th, 1940. By voluntarily driving the crane, while the situation remained distinctly dangerous, you made possible the rescue of the injured man from probable death by gas or burning.”

Frederick Charles Clouder was born in Lymington, Hampshire. He resided on Aldermoor Road, Southampton and was employed as a Crane Driver Southern Railways at Southampton Docks in the 1940s. In later life he resided at Foundry Lane, Millbrook and died in December 1968.

Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of recipient.