Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Warden

Unit:

ARP Liverpool, Air Raid Precautions (ARP), Home Office, British Government

Awarded on:

June 17th, 1941

James Wheeler was a part-time air raid precautions (ARP) warden in Liverpool. His act of great bravery took place during a raid on the city. Later, he gave a modest account of his actions, saying he wanted no credit. Police sergeant Littledale assisted by holding a prop to prevent further debris falling.

"High explosive bombs demolished houses and a woman and child were trapped. Mr. Wheeler began to remove debris whilst a prop was held under a wall to prevent it falling. The wreckage of the adjoining house was on fire and there was a serious escape of gas. Wheeler worked his way into a recess formed by the roof rafters. Any false movement would have been disastrous, for the rafters and the wall would have fallen on him. Smoke was pouring into the recess but, on his hands and knees, with a handkerchief over his mouth, he continued working for nearly an hour and rescued a woman and a little boy. Wheeler, on leaving the wreckage, collapsed but recovered and entered other badly damaged houses to continue rescue work."