Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

No. 235 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

July 8th, 1941

"On the evening of the 24th February 1941 at approximately 2000 hours, an aircraft crashed into the side of a hill near the aerodrome and caught fire. Corporal Deacon immediately proceeded to the scene of the crash and found one member of the crew on the mainplane. He dragged him to safety, assisted by Gunner Gage. Whilst removing this member of the crew to safety they were informed of another three members in the aircraft. They returned to the crash and succeeded in dragging clear the other members of the crew. This rescue was carried out under conditions of great difficulty for, in addition to the fire, cannon shells and small arms ammunition were exploding, making rescue very dangerous."