Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Second-Lieutenant

Unit:

22/23 Bomb Disposal Sections, Bomb Disposal Royal Engineers, Home Forces, British Army

Near Croydon, Surrey on 26th August 1940, Second Lieutenant Andrews was in charge of Nos. 22 and 23 Bomb Disposal Sections when a bomb which fell near the aerodrome failed to explode. It was necessary to extract the fuse if possible in order to forward it to the Department of Scientific Research, but several attempts were made to remove it without success. Lieutenant Andrews then told his men to take cover and after tying apiece of cord to the ring of the fuse discharger, pulled, with the result that the bomb exploded; he was blown a considerable distance and two of his men received splinter wounds.

In 1976, the family offered to sell the medal to the Royal Engineers Museum. This offer was not taken up and it is assumed that the medal was then sold privately.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)