Description
British Empire Medal, GVI, Military Issue, For Gallantry, 2589174 Sergeant John Silsby, Royal Signals
Officially impressed: “2589174 SGT JOHN SILSBY R.C.S.”
On original silk ribbon and wearing pin.
Announced in the London Gazette, 18th June 1946. Which additionally notes he was from Liverpool, this is usually where they enlisted from.
The Gazette lists a few entries that: “The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the British Empire Medal (Military Division), in recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner, to the under-mentioned.”
The awards of the British Empire Medal as shown in the enclosed submissions have been approved by the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals in time of war, in recognition of Gallant and Distinguished Services performed whilst not in contact with the enemy.”
A rare joint award for Bravery “Not in the face of the enemy” for the brave and selfless acts of Sergeant Silsby and a Muslim Havildar of the Indian Engineers, these 2 men saved many lives.
No 589174 Corporal (Acting Sergeant) John Silsby, Royal Corps of Signals
And ME/89720 Havildar Mohammed Ayub Ali, Indian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
The feat occurred at Comilla or Cumilla, on the banks of the Gomti River in what is now Bangladesh.
“During a fire which occurred in Unit Lines at COMILLA on the night of the 3rd/4th December 1945.
The Armoury in which was stored a large amount of arms, ammunition and grenades became endangered and eventually caught fire.
Sergeant Silsby first supervised the evacuation of arms and ammunition until a bamboo building about 5 yards away was completely ablaze.
He then, with the aid of Havildar Mohammed Ayub Ali, continued with the work despite the fact that the burning wood was falling all around and the heat was almost unbearable.
Between them, these 2 men saved all the contents of the Armoury, greatly endangering their lives in doing so.
Only 1 box containing 4,000 rounds of ammunition caught fire whilst they were carrying it, exploded and was destroyed.
By their brave action, Sergeant Silsby and Havildar Mohammed Ayub Ali undoubtedly saved the lives of many others in the vicinity and prevented great damage to equipment and property which would have occurred had the ammunition and grenades exploded.”
It might be worth getting his service file from the MOD to see what his WW2 services were.
Sergeant John Silsby, was born on 18th July 1919.
During the war he married Anne E Lansdowne in Liverpool, Lancashire, during 1941.
He died in Liverpool on 8th December 1997.
