Recently purchased this George Medal group to 515738 SERGEANT. KENNETH. LYTHGOE.
He was one of the early bomb disposal team members, and here is some information regarding the early Demolition teams.
He was stationed at Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire. (The medal came via a dealer from the family)
In the early days of Bomb Disposal, the responsibility of UXO of RAF property rested with the Armament personnel on nominated "X" Stations. Some primitive equipment and instruction was available for the purpose of these "X" Stations. The nominated personnel were known as "X" Station Demolition Squads and consisted of three Armament personnel of Senior Non Commissioned or Junior Non Commissioned Rank. The List of "X" Station Demolition Squads at that time was as follows.
Abbotsinch, Acklington, Aldergrove, Altringham, Bassingbourne, Biggin Hill, Bircham Newton, Boscombe Down, Bramcote, Calshot, Cambridge, Cardington, Carlisle, Catterick, Chillmark, Church Fenton, Cosford, Cottesmore, Cranwell, Craven, Croydon, Debden, Detling, Dishforth, Drem, Driffield, Duxford, Dyce, East Lays, Evanton, Farnborough, Fauld, Feltwell, Finningley, Halton, Harpur Hill, Harwell, Hawkinge, Hendesford, Hemswell, Hendon, Henlow, High Wycombe, Honington, Hornchurch, Horsham, Hucknall, Invergordon, Jurby, Kenley, Kinloss, Leconfield, Leuchars, Linton on Ouse, Manby, Manston, Marham, Martlesham Heath, Montrose, Mountbatten, Newark, Northcoates, Northolt, North Weald, Oxford, Padgate, Pembroke Dock, Peterborough, Sealand, Shrewsbury, Silloth, South Cerney, St Athan, St Eval, Stadishall, Tangmere, Ternhill, Thornaby, Thorney Island, Turnhouse, Upper Heyford, Usworth, Waddington, Wattisham, Watton, West Raynham, Wick, Wyton, York
At the time the "X" Squads were operating, there was little information available on German bombs and bomb components or even other types of enemy ammunition.
The procedure followed by the "X" squads was to uncover or recover German bombs, unscrew the locking ring holding the electrical fuze and remove the fuze. The bomb was then demolished in situ or transported to a safe site for disposal later.
Here's the recommendation for the medal,
515738 Sergeant Kenneth LYTHGOE
1300504 Aircraftman 2nd Class Richard NICHOLSON
998918 Aircraftman 2nd Class Arthur SIMPSON
These airmen, as members of a demolition party, have handled and rendered harmless enemy bombs, with great courage and disregard for their personal safety, on various dates during July, August and September. This has frequently necessitated long and difficult digging. Once they had to dig for eight days to a depth of 40 ft. to expose the top of a bomb which they exploded in situ. On another occasion, they dug 7 ft. down to an unexploded bomb near a cottage. When the bomb was withdrawn by the demolition van, driven by Sergeant Lythgoe, it was found to be fitted with a type of fuse which they had been instructed not to remove. As the bomb could not be transported in the van, owing to the roughness of the ground, Aircraftman Nicholson and Simpson carried it some five or six hundred yards to a suitable place for demolition. When a third bomb had been excavated with much difficulty, and withdrawn by towing cable and van, its fuse was found to be too badly damaged to be extracted, so the bomb was removed to a safe place and destroyed. In all, nine bombs have been handled by this party, all of whom, and especially these three airmen, have faced constant danger with the utmost courage.
He was one of the early bomb disposal team members, and here is some information regarding the early Demolition teams.
He was stationed at Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire. (The medal came via a dealer from the family)
In the early days of Bomb Disposal, the responsibility of UXO of RAF property rested with the Armament personnel on nominated "X" Stations. Some primitive equipment and instruction was available for the purpose of these "X" Stations. The nominated personnel were known as "X" Station Demolition Squads and consisted of three Armament personnel of Senior Non Commissioned or Junior Non Commissioned Rank. The List of "X" Station Demolition Squads at that time was as follows.
Abbotsinch, Acklington, Aldergrove, Altringham, Bassingbourne, Biggin Hill, Bircham Newton, Boscombe Down, Bramcote, Calshot, Cambridge, Cardington, Carlisle, Catterick, Chillmark, Church Fenton, Cosford, Cottesmore, Cranwell, Craven, Croydon, Debden, Detling, Dishforth, Drem, Driffield, Duxford, Dyce, East Lays, Evanton, Farnborough, Fauld, Feltwell, Finningley, Halton, Harpur Hill, Harwell, Hawkinge, Hendesford, Hemswell, Hendon, Henlow, High Wycombe, Honington, Hornchurch, Horsham, Hucknall, Invergordon, Jurby, Kenley, Kinloss, Leconfield, Leuchars, Linton on Ouse, Manby, Manston, Marham, Martlesham Heath, Montrose, Mountbatten, Newark, Northcoates, Northolt, North Weald, Oxford, Padgate, Pembroke Dock, Peterborough, Sealand, Shrewsbury, Silloth, South Cerney, St Athan, St Eval, Stadishall, Tangmere, Ternhill, Thornaby, Thorney Island, Turnhouse, Upper Heyford, Usworth, Waddington, Wattisham, Watton, West Raynham, Wick, Wyton, York
At the time the "X" Squads were operating, there was little information available on German bombs and bomb components or even other types of enemy ammunition.
The procedure followed by the "X" squads was to uncover or recover German bombs, unscrew the locking ring holding the electrical fuze and remove the fuze. The bomb was then demolished in situ or transported to a safe site for disposal later.
Here's the recommendation for the medal,
515738 Sergeant Kenneth LYTHGOE
1300504 Aircraftman 2nd Class Richard NICHOLSON
998918 Aircraftman 2nd Class Arthur SIMPSON
These airmen, as members of a demolition party, have handled and rendered harmless enemy bombs, with great courage and disregard for their personal safety, on various dates during July, August and September. This has frequently necessitated long and difficult digging. Once they had to dig for eight days to a depth of 40 ft. to expose the top of a bomb which they exploded in situ. On another occasion, they dug 7 ft. down to an unexploded bomb near a cottage. When the bomb was withdrawn by the demolition van, driven by Sergeant Lythgoe, it was found to be fitted with a type of fuse which they had been instructed not to remove. As the bomb could not be transported in the van, owing to the roughness of the ground, Aircraftman Nicholson and Simpson carried it some five or six hundred yards to a suitable place for demolition. When a third bomb had been excavated with much difficulty, and withdrawn by towing cable and van, its fuse was found to be too badly damaged to be extracted, so the bomb was removed to a safe place and destroyed. In all, nine bombs have been handled by this party, all of whom, and especially these three airmen, have faced constant danger with the utmost courage.
A very brave fellow indeed and a well deserved award. Regards, Clive.
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