Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gunner

Unit:

Royal Artillery

Awarded on:

December 17th, 1940

Recommendation:
"When a night-flying plane crashed into two houses and set them on fire, Gunner Groom who was in the vicinity, rushed into one of the houses and assisted in bringing out a number of children. On being told that a child was in the other house, Gunner Groom through off his coat, put on a respirator and climbed a ladder to a back bedroom window from which smoke was pouring. He entered the building in search of the child but was driven back by a burst of flame. With his cloths and respirator burnt, and suffering from an injury ot his shoulder, Gunner Groom left the building having failed to find the child. On reaching the street he feinted and was taken to hospital by ambulance."