Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Portsmouth Blitz’ B.E.M. group of three awarded to A. W. Campbell, a Caretaker and Fire Watcher for the Portsmouth and Gosport Gas Company, who had served during the Great War with the 7th (Service) Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment and had been taken prisoner of war on the Western Front

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Alfred William Campbell); British War and Victory Medals (238016 Pte. A. Thomas. Leic. R.) very fine (3) £500-£700

T. Harris Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2005.

B.E.M. London Gazette 14 February 1941, Alfred William Campbell, Caretaker, Portsmouth and Gosport Gas Company:

‘Campbell was acting in the capacity of Fire Watcher during an intense air raid.

He was personally instrumental in putting out fires caused by incendiary bombs and sparks which were blown by a fairly high wind from intense fires raging at adjacent buildings. He not only assisted in saving the Chief Offices of the Gas Company with its valuable records from total destruction in the face of great danger, but climbed on to the roofs of adjoining buildings and at great risk to himself put out fires which had taken hold by reason of the sparks dropping on to dry felt and other inflammable material.

At one time, Campbell was advised to evacuate the Gas Offices, owing to the danger of fire, but he resolutely refused to leave the building which, had he done so, would have been totally destroyed.’

Alfred William Campbell was born ‘Alfred William Thomas’, but changed his name to Campbell after his mother remarried. He served during the Great War with ‘C’ Company, 7th (Service) Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, and was taken prisoner of war on the Western Front, 27 May 1918. After the war he was employed for 32 years by the Portsmouth and Gosport Gas Company, and in later life resided at 36 Wymering Road, North End, Portsmouth. He died in Portsmouth in November 1968.

Sold with several related wartime newspaper cuttings (one of which states that the recipient was taken P.O.W. in the Great War) including a photographic image of recipient, together with Buckingham Palace investiture letter, dated 10 March 1941 and admittance ticket, dated 22 March 1941, and copied research.