George Samuel Sewell
Encyclopedia
George Samuel Sewell GM
and bar
(26 September 1897 – 5 April 1969) was one of the first recipients of the George Medal (GM) and was the first civilian to be awarded a bar to the GM.
and during the First World War joined the Durham Light Infantry
. However as he was underage when he enlisted he was discharged and instead trained as a marine engineer. After a period in the Merchant Navy
Sewell joined Shell-Mex and by the outbreak of the Second World War worked at the Shell-Mex plant at Saltend, east of Hull
on the Humber estuary. As well as his engineering duties he also managed the works fire brigade.
of bomb punctured one of the tanks and ignited the petroleum gas inside the tank. Along with the plant managers and a number of firemen, Sewell entered the compound with the damaged tank and while the managers transferred gas from other tanks close by, Sewell "led a party of men into the tank compound and was also continually on the tank roof whilst the gas inside was burning, endeavouring to extinguish the flames by playing foam over the tank top and placing sandbags over the roof curb." The actions of these men were successful and the fires extinguished without major damage to the plant. When the George Medal was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI among the first awards made were those to Sewell and four others who took part in the firefighting.
air raid and a petrol storage tank caught fire after being hit by an incendiary bomb. Again Sewell and his team entered the area, and "although enemy aircraft were overhead and bombs continued to fall, Mr. Sewell immediately climbed to the top of the tank and placed bags of sand over the holes, successfully extinguishing the fires. Mr. Sewell then climbed on to another tank and kicked to the ground a burning bomb. Mr. Sewell's gallant action prevented a serious fire and consequent loss of valuable product and installation."
Later that month, on 27 May 1941, unaware that he was to be awarded a bar for his second commendation, Sewell attended Buckingham Palace
for the investiture ceremony for his first medal, returning again on 4 November 1941 for the second ceremony.
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
and bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
(26 September 1897 – 5 April 1969) was one of the first recipients of the George Medal (GM) and was the first civilian to be awarded a bar to the GM.
Early life
Sewell was born in SunderlandCity of Sunderland
The City of Sunderland is a local government district of Tyne and Wear, in North East England, with the status of a city and metropolitan borough...
and during the First World War joined the Durham Light Infantry
Durham Light Infantry
The Durham Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1968. It was formed by the amalgamation of the 68th Regiment of Foot and the 106th Regiment of Foot along with the militia and rifle volunteers of County Durham...
. However as he was underage when he enlisted he was discharged and instead trained as a marine engineer. After a period in the Merchant Navy
Merchant Navy
The Merchant Navy is the maritime register of the United Kingdom, and describes the seagoing commercial interests of UK-registered ships and their crews. Merchant Navy vessels fly the Red Ensign and are regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency...
Sewell joined Shell-Mex and by the outbreak of the Second World War worked at the Shell-Mex plant at Saltend, east of Hull
Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
on the Humber estuary. As well as his engineering duties he also managed the works fire brigade.
First award of the George Medal
On the afternoon of 1 July 1940, a lone German bomber attacked the oil refinery dropping a number of high explosive bombs. FragmentsFragmentation (weaponry)
Fragmentation is the process by which the casing of an artillery shell, bomb, grenade, etc. is shattered by the detonating high explosive filling. The correct technical terminology for these casing pieces is fragments , although shards or splinters can be used for non-preformed fragments...
of bomb punctured one of the tanks and ignited the petroleum gas inside the tank. Along with the plant managers and a number of firemen, Sewell entered the compound with the damaged tank and while the managers transferred gas from other tanks close by, Sewell "led a party of men into the tank compound and was also continually on the tank roof whilst the gas inside was burning, endeavouring to extinguish the flames by playing foam over the tank top and placing sandbags over the roof curb." The actions of these men were successful and the fires extinguished without major damage to the plant. When the George Medal was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI among the first awards made were those to Sewell and four others who took part in the firefighting.
Second award of the George Medal
A little under a year later, on the night of 8/9 May 1941, the refinery was again bombed during a Hull BlitzHull blitz
The Hull Blitz was the Nazi German strategic bombing campaign targeted on the Northern English port city of Kingston upon Hull, almost invariably referred to as Hull, during the Second World War...
air raid and a petrol storage tank caught fire after being hit by an incendiary bomb. Again Sewell and his team entered the area, and "although enemy aircraft were overhead and bombs continued to fall, Mr. Sewell immediately climbed to the top of the tank and placed bags of sand over the holes, successfully extinguishing the fires. Mr. Sewell then climbed on to another tank and kicked to the ground a burning bomb. Mr. Sewell's gallant action prevented a serious fire and consequent loss of valuable product and installation."
Later that month, on 27 May 1941, unaware that he was to be awarded a bar for his second commendation, Sewell attended Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
for the investiture ceremony for his first medal, returning again on 4 November 1941 for the second ceremony.