Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Police sergeant

Unit:

Liverpool City Police, British Police Forces, Home Office, British Government

Awarded on:

October 3rd, 1941

"A shop, with house quarters above, was demolished by a bomb. The occupier's wife and two children were trapped in the cellar by a large quantity of debris. Sergeant Collins began tunnelling and after strenuous efforts reached the casualties. Portions of the building were continually falling, there was an escape of coal gas and the wreckage was on fire. In spite of these dangers, the Sergeant redoubled his efforts and, with other help, the three persons were eventually released. Collins' excellent work, performed with total disregard of his own safety, was instrumental in saving three lives."