Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Unit:

No. 1 Sub-Depot, No. 8 Base Ammunition Depot, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, British Army

Awarded on:

July 22nd, 1941

"On the 23rd January, 1941, Staff-Sergeant Thorner and Acting Sergeant Telford displayed gallantry, disregard of danger, devotion to duty and cool courage in dealing with a fire, resulting from an explosion in "A" Battery, No. 1 Sub-Depot, No. 8 Base Ammunition Depot.

When under the leadership of Captain P.V. Platel, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, they entered the cave, fought the fire and broke down stacks of ammunition whilst cartridges were still igniting and exploding. The action was carried on under extremely difficult conditions owing to the fumes which filled the gallery; there was constant danger of the fire spreading beyond control, and it was largely due to their gallant efforts that the explosive fire was isolated and extinguished."

See: Major Platel