#Story
Special Constable Brandon
Between August and October 1940, Coventry was subjected to 17 bombing raids by the Luftwaffe (German Air Force). A total of nearly 200 tonnes of bombs had been dropped onto the city. One raid took place on the night of 19 to 20 October 1940, which struck houses in Clay Lane.
On this night, Special Constable Brandon Moss of 167 Siddeley Avenue was on duty in the Stoke area of Coventry when a German bombing raid hit. He attended 94 Clay Lane, a residential property, which had been hit by a high explosive (HE) bomb, trapping three people.
Upon arrival, the house had been demolished and in a dangerous state. Moss led a rescue party to clear an entry point to try and rescue the trapped civilians. With debris collapsing around him and gas leaking from pipes, it was a very dangerous situation. It became so dangerous that Moss carried on alone. He eventually cleared a space and saved the lives of the three trapped people.
Moss had no time to rest as he was then informed that more people were trapped in the adjoining premises. Moss, once again, lead a rescue party to try and save lives. After many hours the rescue party became exhausted, but Moss continued on his own. The house falling around him, he “laboured unceasingly and inspiringly”. As a result of his “superhuman efforts and utter disregard for personal safety”, Moss rescued one other casualty and recovered the bodies of four who had been killed by enemy action.
During the whole of this rescue, it was noted that bombs continued to fall and that only 20 yards away, in the door of the (Hastings) tavern, was a delayed fused unexploded bomb. Moss worked from 23:00 to 06:30 the next day without pausing.
Moss was awarded a George Medal for his gallant bravery and actions. This is the highest gallantry award that can be awarded to a civilian. The Chief Constable noted that “he was an outstanding example of courage and self-denial and all members of the rescue party who were present speak highly of his bravery”.