Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Senior Officer

Unit:

AFS Liverpool, Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS), Civil Defence Service (CD), Home Office, British Government

Awarded on:

February 21st, 1941

"Following an enemy air attack fire broke out in the skeleton framework of a damaged elevator.
It was impossible to place a fire escape against the elevator on account of the debris which had fallen from the destroyed roof. The outbreak took place high up in the framework and it was clear that it was not practicable to attack it from the ground. The only solution was that someone should attempt the dangerous climb up the elevator girder work. Torn steel sheets, broken timbers and displaced ironwork projected at many places and slates and debris were still falling, but, without hesitation, Section Officer Carson placed a hose and branch over his shoulder and successfully made the climb. He extinguished the fire in about ten minutes.
On another occasion when his Division was badly attacked by succeeding waves of enemy aircraft which caused many fires, Section Officer Carson, in the face of intense heat, mounted a stairway on to the blazing upper storey of a shed which contained goods of a Dangerous nature. His action prevented the spread of this fire.
He then went to where buildings on both sides of a dock yard were blazing, furiously. Regardless of the dangeririyolved, he made his way through the narrow entrance and so made possible the use of suctions from the dock. The fierceness of the fire prevented his return by the passage, but he made his way back along the dockwall.
This officer's coolness and disregard of personal safety hive had a wonderful effect on the personnel of the Division, while his efficiency in the laying out of hose and so forth have saved much valuable property."