Extract from SMOKE magazine issued September 1942
We Are Proud To Be Their Comrades
You would not have noticed anything special about them. Just Officers and men going about their duties the same as everyone else. But when the opportunity arose, they proved themselves – showed themselves to be possessed of those qualities of bravery and initiative that must be the very stuff and fibre of our army.
Some months ago an RAF plane crashed in a field close to the Smoke School and immediately burst into flames. Without hesitation a party our men forced their way through the flames and worked like men inspired until all the crew had been extricated. In the words of the Officer Commanding the RAF Station concerned: ‘... they paid no thought to their own danger in going near to the burning wreckage and wasted no time at all so that I think it is fair to say that the six survivors owe their lives almost entirely to the very fine rescue work carried out by your unit.’
On 11th August, the District Commander visited the School and read the following letter from HQ Western Command:
I am directed by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief to inform you that His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the publication of the names of the under mentioned as having been commended for brave conduct:-
Capt A K Griffith
Capt H Wood
Sgt D C Parry
Sgt W Ormerod
Pte T Frayne
Pte H M Nightingale
Pte T Perkins
Pte J H Silk
All of us are proud to be associated with such men. Their initiative and their gallantry are typical of our people. Their deeds will inspire us all and when the call comes for the millions of our people to go into action, with such men in our ranks we shall not be found wanting.
The image is of the commendation received by Sgt W Ormerod and was kindly given by his daughters.
For a larger image click on picture