Sgt Giggs GM Citation

Grigg, David Lionel GM

Grigg, David Lionel GM

David Grigg was a Police Sergeant, serving at Catford on " P " Division, Metropolitan Police.

The citation for the award of his George Medal appeared in the London Gazette of 11 March 1941.

It reads :

A German aeroplane crashed on two dwelling houses [ Johnson Road, Bromley Common ] demolishing both and burying the residents. Four persons were rescued, slightly injured. Shortly afterwards, four more bombs were dropped nearby, only a few yards from the Police and Rescue Parties, causing them to suspend operations for a few minutes. When the rescue work was resumed, it was discovered that a number of bombs, several of which were still attached to parts of the machine, were amongst the debris. Two more persons were trapped underneath and it was necessary to remove the bombs before they could be extricated.

Police Sergeant Grigg volunteered to carry the bombs from the wrecked houses and removed three of them from the wreckage. He was about to return for a fourth when it was suspected that one or more were about to explode. Nevertheless, Grigg again entered the wreckage and removed the bomb. The Sergeant then crawled beneath the debris and located one of the trapped victims, who was eventually rescued. Grigg, who had no special knowledge of bombs, showed great courage and devotion to duty.

The events leading to the award of the medal took place on 9 November 1940 in Johnson Road, Bromley Common.

Contributed by: Andy Pepper

Report from Commissioner's Office.

Description of Incident.

At about 7.30 p.m. 9th November, a German aeroplane crashed on two dwelling houses in Johnsons Road, Bromley) demolishing both and burying six residents. Four persons were rescued, slightly injured, by the Bromley Borough Council Rescue Party, assisted by Police. Shortly after, at about 8 p.m° four more bombs were dropped in the vicinity,

killing two and injuring eight others. One of these bombs fell in Johnsons Road only a few yards from the Police and Rescue Parties) causing them to suspend operations for a few minutes.

When the rescue work was resumed, it was discovered that a large number of 100 lb. bombs were amongst the debris, and it was also evident that two more persons were trapped, as groaning could be heard underneath where the bombs were located. Several of the

bombs were still attached tc, part ••cf the zachire whilst a number of others were amongst the..debris. It was necessary to remove a number of these bombs before the trailed -persons could be extricated and as no member of the Bomb Disposal and nor any other person with expert knowledge was present, Li; rs of the Rescue and Demolition Squads were very reluctant to continue. Police Sergeant Grigg then

volunteered to carry the bombs from the wrecked houses, and although it was not known whether or not the bombs were fitted with delayed action fuses, Grigg removed three of them from the wreckage, and was about to return for a fourth when a ticking noise was heard, and it was suspected that one, or more of the bombs was about to explode. Contact was made with a Bomb Disposal Squad, and whilst awaiting their arrival, Sergeant Grigg again entered the wreckage and removed a fourth bomb. A Bomb Disposal Officer then arrived, and after a brief examination stated that the bombs were reasonably safe with careful handling, as they had not been fused prior to the aeroplane crashing.

Rescue work was again resumed and the remaining bombs were removed. Sergeant Grigg, after assisting with the removal of the bombs. crawled beneath the debris and located one of the trapped victims, who was eventually.

Bodies of the sixth of three German airmen were subsequently extricated.

COMMENTS.

Sergeant Grigg has no specialised knowledge of bombs and as far as he was concerned they might have exploded at any momentt He went back and removed another bomb in spite of the fact that one appeared likely to explode. The Deputy Assistant Commissioner in charge of the District states that whilst the Police Sergeant did not sustain personal injury by his action, he was in constant danger of the bombs exploding.

"His coolness, courage, determination, and devotion to duty are worthy of recognition and I strongly recomend him for the grant of an award".

STATEMENT OF WITNESSES (Attached).

(1) Ernest Davies, Police Inspector, Metropolitan Police, Bromley Station) Kent.

RECOMMENDATION.

Police Sergeant Grigg is recommended for award of the George Cross.