A fine Q.G.M. awarded to Fireman M. J. Montgomerie, London Fire Brigade, for his courage...

A fine Q.G.M. awarded to Fireman M. J. Montgomerie, London Fire Brigade, for his courage and gallantry in ‘carrying out a daring rescue’ of a woman trapped on the third floor of a burning building in London in June 1975 Queen’s Gallantry Medal (Maurice John Montgomerie) nearly extremely fine £2,400-£2,800 --- Q.G.M. London Gazette 27 July 1976: ‘Fireman Montgomerie who, on 18th June 1975, was Officer-in-Charge of the initial attendance at a fire which had engulfed a corner building of four floors, and a basement, saw a woman trapped at a third floor window. It was obvious that a severe flash-over had already occurred, blasting out the third floor windows and that a further one was imminent. Fireman Montgomerie immediately instructed the driver of the turntable ladder to prepare for a rescue. The trapped woman silhouetted by flames was frantically trying to get out of the blasted window and as soon as the driver began to elevate and extend the ladder, Fireman Montgomerie mounted and began to ascend. He reached the head of the ladder and managed to place his right knee lengthways on the window sill. Although the woman knew he was there, she made no attempt to get out and he had to reach into the room with his right arm to grasp her around the waist and was in the act of lifting her out when a further flash-over occurred. The severe force of the blast blew both of them from the window on to the head of the ladder, dislodging Fireman Montgomerie's helmet. Although stunned and shocked the officer had the presence of mind to hold on to the ladder and the screaming, struggling, badly burned woman. The driver of the turntable ladder observing the rescue attempt, felt a heavy dip on the ladder and realised that both the officer and the woman were on the head of the ladder. Because of the dangerous conditions he immediately decided to turn the ladder away from the window and out over the roadway, extending the ladder and training it so that the head rested on the roof coping of the building opposite. The turntable driver then ascended the ladder to help Fireman Montgomerie who had already started the difficult task of descending with the injured woman. He met his driver mid-way down the ladder and by pressing firmly against the ladder he supported the main weight of the woman whilst his driver supported her legs on his forearms, using his hands to guide Fireman Montgomerie's feet on to each ladder round until they reached the heel of the ladder. Fireman Montgomerie saved vital seconds by mounting the ladder whilst it was being extended and there was every possibility of his feet being crushed by the rounds while this was being done. He also took very severe punishment at the head of the ladder which could have easily led to his losing his grip and falling to the ground. Fireman Montgomerie displayed outstanding courage and devotion to duty when, regardless of his personal safety, he carried out this daring rescue.’ Maurice John Montgomerie was born on 12 December 1922, and for this rescue was also a RADAR 1977 ‘Man of the Year’ recipient. He died in London in 1996, aged 73.