Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

No. 237 (Rhodesia) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

February 11th, 1941

"On the 4th January, 1941, this airman was air gunner of an aircraft which led divebombing attacks on enemy objectives. Heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered and, on pulling out of the second dive, Sergeant Murrell was hit in the knee by a piece of shrapnel which he removed with a screwdriver. He then began to deal with a fire which had broken out. He discovered that the airscrew covers had evidently been lighted by hot shrapnel and had flared up as a result of the increased draught in the rear cockpit. He threw these covers overboard and beat out with his hands the smouldering fire which had extended to the bomb-aimer's breast rest. The pilot had signalled to him to land by parachute, but he declined the invitation and continued to deal with the fire. The pilot then landed and the fire was extinguished by water, and the aircraft flown safely back to base. Sergeant Murrell displayed courage, initiative and devotion to duty of a high order."