- Contributed by听
- yvonne
- People in story:听
- William Septimus Elwood + Sidney Hastings Elwood
- Location of story:听
- London
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A5947086
- Contributed on:听
- 28 September 2005
My grandfather (Bill) and his brother (Sidney) had come to find work in London, from Stiffkey in Norfolk, 2 of 11 children, Bill was the 7th son of the seventh son, hence his middle name, Septimus.
They found work looking after the horses with carriers, Carter Patterson.
One night in 1941, during the Blitz, the stables were hit during heavy bombing in the City of London.
With little thought for his own safety my grandfather,aided by his brother, repeatedly went back and forth in the flaming buildings until he had rescued all of the horses. Of nearly 200 rescued only 4 received injuries.
He was later presented with the British Empire Medal, by King George Vl for his bravery.
He died in 1953 aged 68.
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