Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Leader

Unit:

ARP rescue Party, ARP Bristol, Air Raid Precautions (ARP), Home Office, British Government

Awarded on:

February 21st, 1941

"During an air raid a direct hit occurred on a shop and dwelling-house, completely demolishing them.
Upon the arrival of the Rescue Party the cries of two trapped persons were heard from under the debris, and as the removal of this from the top was inadvisable, Party Leader Atkin at once began work to break an opening from the cellar of an adjoining house through a 20-inch wall. In spite of the cellar being full of escaping coal gas, the Party, by working in relays, succeeded in making an opening large enough to remove obstacles and rescue two persons alive.
Atkin directed the operations in the gasladen atmosphere and finally collapsed from coal-gas poisoning.
It was due to his good leadership that the rescues were effected."