A fine Second War 'Birmingham Blitz' George Medal awarded to Volunteer A. W. Bailey,...

A fine Second War ‘Birmingham Blitz’ George Medal awarded to Volunteer A. W. Bailey, Birmingham Home Guard, for gallantry during the raid on the B.S.A. Factory, Small Heath, on the night of 19/20 November 1940 George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Albert William Bailey, H.G.) with card box of issue, contact marks, otherwise very fine £2,000-£3,000 --- G.M. London Gazette 11 February 1941: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’ The recommendation states: ‘On the night of 19/20 November during a heavy air raid on Birmingham, Volunteer Bailey was due to report at the Birmingham Small Arms Factory Home Guard for duty at 9.30 p.m. Hearing bombing, he arrived at the Company’s premises at about 7p.m. He remained on Home Guard duty there helping to deal with incendiary bombs. He went to the headquarters of the Home Guard, who called for volunteers to rescue those trapped in debris at New Buildings, which had suffered direct bomb hits from enemy aircraft. He first helped to rescue a Home Guard and later, with another Home Guard, got out two workmen from the same place. He went to the other side of the debris and first helped a man out, and then assisted a girl to emerge. He tried to get through a hole lower down but could not. He returned to the hole and crawled though, but came to concrete. He then attempted to knock a hole through the concrete, but a girder stopped progress. An oxy-acetylene cutter was used to cut through the girder. A girl was got out, and four men, one at a time. A fierce fire was burning inside and was being fought from outside. Volunteer Bailey held up a piece of concrete with his raised arms for some time, and was saturated with oil and water. Bailey finally collapsed near the entrance to the hole and was taken home in an ambulance.’