Arthur Blackmore

Leading Fireman Arthur Blackmore earned the George Medal for extraordinary bravery during the Bristol Blitz of November 1940. When German bombers devastated the city centre, destroying over 3,000 buildings in a single night, Blackmore led his crew into burning buildings to rescue trapped civilians. In one incident, he entered a collapsing department store three times to bring out survivors, suffering severe burns on his final entry. During the six major raids on Bristol, the city lost 1,299 civilians killed and 3,305 seriously injured. Blackmore served throughout, never missing a shift despite his injuries. His story represents the courage of Bristol's civilian defenders.