A Collection of Awards to the Army Service Corps

A Second World War military B.E.M. awarded to Private A. Boyd, Royal Army Service Corps

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (S108098 Pte. Albert Boyd, R.A.S.C.) nearly extremely fine £200-240

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Army Service Corps.

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B.E.M. London Gazette 7 July 1944. ‘... in recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner, ...’ ‘No. S/108098 Private Albert Boyd, Royal Army Service Corps (Glasgow).’

Recommendation reads, ‘No.S/108098, Private, 123 Petrol Depot, R.A.S.C.’ ‘At Abadan on the 9th February, 1944, a mobile crane, which was being used for landing drums of 100 Octane Spirit into a barge at Army Creek, was being moved to a better position. The driving wheel of the crane appeared to stick, and the crane made straight for the water. The driver, who was not very experienced, lost his head and jumped; in a split second Private Boyd had taken his place and applied the brakes. One wheel was already over the side, and if the brakes had not worked the crane with Boyd on it would have crashed into the barge beneath, which was holding a load of nearly 200 tons of 100 Octane Spirit. Boyd’s act undoubtedly averted what would have been a major catastrophe.’

With damaged forwarding box addressed to ‘Mr A. Boyd, 71 Thistle Stre[et], Glasg[ow]’; together with copied gazette and recommendation extracts.