Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Police Constable

Unit:

City of London Police, British Police Forces, Home Office, British Government

Awarded on:

February 21st, 1941

"Police Constable Hayman has acted with consistent high devotion to duty and has displayed courage and initiative resulting in the saving of life and property.
He was instrumental in preventing a very serious fire when an oil bomb fell on a fivestorey block of offices in the City. He tackled the fire on the fifth floor with a stirrup pump and, in spite of great danger and intense heat, continued his efforts until it was subdued.
On another occasion a large bomb caused considerable damage to a building and fires broke out in the debris. Constable Hayman, who had been thrown down by the blast, immediately took charge. There was a strong leak of coal gas and, although the fire was rapidly spreading and there was grave danger of an explosion, he searched in the building and succeeded in turning off the gas supply. He then organised a human chain and, with buckets of water and a stirrup pump, he went into the blazing building at great risk from falling burning timber, and brought the fire under control before the arrival of the Fire Service. During this incident enemy aircraft, which were being subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire, were overhead the whole time.
On a further occasion, following the explosion of an H.E. bomb, Constable Hayman gave first aid to a severely wounded man whose life was saved by the Constable's knowledge and skill."