About the product

British Empire Medal

British Empire Medal, civil division, GVI, Convoy Signalman and Gunner, Russell Francis Charles Durbin DSM BEM, Royal Navy. Later Commissioned as a Temporary Lieutenant. Awarded the BEM Civil Division in L.G…

Out of stock

Origin: United Kingdom
Nearly Extremely Fine

Description

British Empire Medal, civil division, GVI, Convoy Signalman & Gunner, Russell Francis Charles Durbin DSM BEM, Royal Navy. Later Commissioned as a Temporary Lieutenant.

 

Awarded the BEM Civil Division in L.G. 24/4/1942, as a commendation for Brave Conduct in Civil Defence;

 

“Russell Francis Charles Durbin, Gunner

 

A German aircraft attacked the ship, dropping a bomb near it. Under the Master’s direction, the defence organisation had been brought to such a pitch of excellence that almost as soon as fire was opened, the enemy was shot into the sea. The two Gunners distinguished themselves by their cool and accurate aim.”

 

He received it at an investiture held at Buckingham Palace on 21/7/1942.

 

His award of the Distinguished Service Medal, was during his time aboard HMS Leigh, while in F.S. Convoy on 27th December 1941. He personally shot down a Heinkel Bomber, being mentioned in the L.G. 11/6/1942.

 

Shown as Temporary Sub-Lieutenant in the RNVR List 3/7/1942, then in a later list Temporary Lieutenant.

 

He passed away in Cornwall, in 2006, aged 100, being born 3/1/1916.