THE SCARCE WW2 1941 ‘CLYDEBANK BLITZ’ B.E.M. AWARDED TO A MEMBER OF THE A.R.P. FOR HIS GALLANTRY AFTER BOMBS HIT A TENEMENT IN BLANTYRE, GLASGOW, ON THE NIGHT OF 13/14 MARCH 1941. THE POLICEMAN WHO WORKED WITH HIM TO RELEASE THOSE TRAPPED WAS AWARDED THE GEORGE CROSS

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL, G.VI.R. ‘JAMES MCKENNA’ IN ORIGINAL ENVELOPE AND CARD BOX OF ISSUE.

B.E.M. London Gazette 30 May 1941.

'A bomb partly demolished a two storey tenement and persons were trapped. The remaining walls and an overhanging portion of roof were in a highly dangerous condition. Despite this McKenna entered the ruins and worked untiringly and unceasingly moving and lifting heavy timbers and other debris while those trapped were released.'

The award was recommended by the Chief Engineer of Glasgow.

'Shortly after 1 a.m. on 14th March, 1941, McKenna's party was called to a tenement at 101, Logan Street, Glasgow, which had been partly demolished by a parachute mine. With Police Constable Archibald Walker, who has been awarded the George Medal for his gallantry on this occasion, he entered the building, the walls and roof of which were in a highly dangerous condition, and until 3 a.m. worked untiringly to release 5 trapped persons. He materially assisted Constable Walker, in conditions of equal danger, in releasing 2 of the 5 persons alive.'

Logan Street, where the bomb hit was in Clydebank, Glasgow. During the night of 13/14 March 1941, the Luftwaffe launched massive raids against the shipping and industrial area of Clydebank. As a result of the raids on the nights of 13 and 14 March 1941, the town was largely destroyed, and it suffered the worst destruction and civilian loss of life in all of Scotland. 1,200 people died, 1,000 people were seriously injured, and hundreds more were injured by blast debris. Over the course of the two nights, a total of 439 Luftwaffe bombers dropped in excess of 1,650 incendiary containers and 272 tonnes of bombs. Out of approximately 12,000 houses, only eight remained undamaged, with 4,000 completely destroyed and 4,500 severely damaged. Over 35,000 people were made homeless.

https://blitzincidents.blogspot.com/2016/01/clydeside-13th-and-14th-march-1941.html

Condition NEF. Sold with copied recommendations and London Gazette entry.

A scarce Clydebank Blitz award.