MILITARY B.E.M. GROUP OF 4 MEDALS & EPHEMERA TO GNR. SJ. DODD, 59TH HEAVY ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGT., R.A.

Military B.E.M. for gallantry Gazetted 1 June 1945:

"On the occasion of a V.2 incident in Dec 1944, Gunner Doss was a passer-by and immediately came forward as a volunteer to assist in the rescue work. Through many exhausting hours of the night he took a prominent part in the extremely difficult and highly dangerous work of tunnelling and cutting through the debris, at great danger to his own life, to rescue trapped personnel. His courage and complete disregard for personal safety was an inspiration to the whole rescue pparty and undoubtedly the removal from the debris of seven officers and three airmen alive was in no small measure due to his magnificent efforts, which he continued until the last man alive was brought out, risking his own life time and time again."

A regimental letter of congratulation records:

"V.2 Incident at Officers' Mess - Base Censor Unit: It is desired to express this Unit's very real appreciation of the resource work accomplished by Gunner Dodds of your Platoon on the occasion of the V2 incident at Base Censor Unit R.A.F. Officers Mess on Sunday 17 Dec 1944. The courage and complete disregard for personal safety shown by Gunner Dodd was an inspiration to the whole rescue party and undoubtedly the fact that seven Officers and three Airmen were removed alive from the debris was in no small measure due to the magnificent efforts of Gunner Dodd."

Gunner Sydney Dodd was The following contemporary newspaper article gives further detail:

"Llangadock - A hearty reception was given to Gunner Sydney Dodd, Walters Road, home from Holland at a concert held in their honour at the Y.M.C.A. Hall. The chairman referred to the gallant act of Gunner Sydney Dodd in saving the lives of seven officers and three men of the Royal Air Force from underneath the debris of a house in which they were billeted in Holland and which was gutted by a V-Bomb. His commanding officer had complimented him on his bravery."

Sydney James Dodd lived at Ivy House, Walters Road, Llangdock and served with the 113th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment of the Royal Artillery during the V2 rocket incident on 17 Dec 1944 and joined the 59th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment.