Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Section Officer

Unit:

AFS Liverpool, Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS), Civil Defence Service (CD), Home Office, British Government

Awarded on:

December 16th, 1941

Lappin was recommended for leadership and devotion to duty when SS Malakand, loaded with thousands of tons of munitions, was ablaze at Huskisson Dock.

"Enemy action caused a serious fire at a Dock in which a ship containing a quantity of explosive was berthed. The ship and large sheds alongside were burning furiously and bombs continued to fall all around. With full knowledge of the tremendous risk involved, an A.F.S. crew, under the leadership of Section Officer Lappin, fought the shed fires in a gallant but vain effort to reach and save the blazing ship. The ship eventually exploded causing many deaths, but the Section Officer rallied the men under his command and, although on the verge of collapse from fatigue, he continued to hold the situation. Lappin displayed a fine example of courage and devotion to duty and led his men without any regard for his own safety."