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Defence Medal for ex-Warwickshire auxiliary firefighter | Defence Medal for ex-Warwickshire auxiliary firefighter |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A former auxiliary firefighter from Warwickshire has been honoured for his services to the area during World War II. | A former auxiliary firefighter from Warwickshire has been honoured for his services to the area during World War II. |
Lionel Clarke, 99, received the Defence Medal for his efforts during the war which included assisting others during the Coventry blitz. | Lionel Clarke, 99, received the Defence Medal for his efforts during the war which included assisting others during the Coventry blitz. |
"I don't deserve the medal," said Mr Clarke. "I just happened to be there. | "I don't deserve the medal," said Mr Clarke. "I just happened to be there. |
"I felt it was my duty." | "I felt it was my duty." |
Mr Clarke was a toolmaker at the Brown's Lane shadow factory in Coventry, which would later become the home of Jaguar cars. | Mr Clarke was a toolmaker at the Brown's Lane shadow factory in Coventry, which would later become the home of Jaguar cars. |
'Never frightened' | 'Never frightened' |
He said he was stationed there at night as a leading firefighter for the Auxiliary Fire Service from about 1938. | He said he was stationed there at night as a leading firefighter for the Auxiliary Fire Service from about 1938. |
"I used to be out every night," Mr Clarke said. | "I used to be out every night," Mr Clarke said. |
"I would be curled up on a bunk bed and then get sent out. I enjoyed what I did." | "I would be curled up on a bunk bed and then get sent out. I enjoyed what I did." |
Mr Clarke, who is due to turn 100 in July, recalled the events of 14 November 1940. | |
It was the night about 1,200 people died in air raids that destroyed most of Coventry city centre. | It was the night about 1,200 people died in air raids that destroyed most of Coventry city centre. |
He was on his way back from another job when he stopped to help colleagues deal with the fire at the cathedral. | He was on his way back from another job when he stopped to help colleagues deal with the fire at the cathedral. |
"I went into the cathedral's surroundings," Mr Clarke said. | "I went into the cathedral's surroundings," Mr Clarke said. |
"I didn't hesitate. I didn't think about it. I just did it and I was never frightened. | "I didn't hesitate. I didn't think about it. I just did it and I was never frightened. |
"I went into it with my eyes open, did what I could and the rest was up to the gods." | "I went into it with my eyes open, did what I could and the rest was up to the gods." |
Having lived in Bedworth for most of his life, Mr Clarke now lives at Acorn Lodge care home in nearby Nuneaton. | Having lived in Bedworth for most of his life, Mr Clarke now lives at Acorn Lodge care home in nearby Nuneaton. |
And it was one of the workers at the home who decided Mr Clarke's efforts should be recognised. | And it was one of the workers at the home who decided Mr Clarke's efforts should be recognised. |
Recreation and leisure co-ordinator Rosie Iliffe said: "He came here in July 2011 and we just sit chatting about the old times. | Recreation and leisure co-ordinator Rosie Iliffe said: "He came here in July 2011 and we just sit chatting about the old times. |
"He reminds me of my granddad who I remembered had medals and I thought it was strange Lionel didn't." | "He reminds me of my granddad who I remembered had medals and I thought it was strange Lionel didn't." |
Ms Iliffe wrote to the Ministry of Defence which replied to say Mr Clarke was eligible to receive the Defence Medal. | Ms Iliffe wrote to the Ministry of Defence which replied to say Mr Clarke was eligible to receive the Defence Medal. |
About 40 of the medals are issued for civilian service each year, the Cabinet Office said. | About 40 of the medals are issued for civilian service each year, the Cabinet Office said. |
It added most are now given to next of kin due to the length of time since World War II. | It added most are now given to next of kin due to the length of time since World War II. |
Mr Clarke's family were present when Warwickshire deputy chief fire officer Gary Phillips presented the medal on Wednesday. | Mr Clarke's family were present when Warwickshire deputy chief fire officer Gary Phillips presented the medal on Wednesday. |
Ms Iliffe said it had been quite an overwhelming experience for everyone at the care home. | Ms Iliffe said it had been quite an overwhelming experience for everyone at the care home. |
"He woke up this morning and thought it was a dream," she said. | "He woke up this morning and thought it was a dream," she said. |
"He still has the medal in its box. He has no photos or uniform but does still have an axe engraved with his name. | "He still has the medal in its box. He has no photos or uniform but does still have an axe engraved with his name. |
"The fire service has said it will get it refurbished and put it in a box frame with the medal." | "The fire service has said it will get it refurbished and put it in a box frame with the medal." |
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