Sidney Boulter, who rose to become Oxford’s chief fire officer, was awarded the George Medal for heroic work during the Second World War.

But he always played down his part in the rescue of bomb victims in London, saying he was “just part of a team”. Now the true extent of his bravery can be revealed.

Retired fire officer John Lowe, who is compiling the history of Oxford fire brigade, has uncovered full details of his gallant work.

In the first incident on the night of March 19, 1941, German aircraft dropped a series of incendiary bombs on Woolwich.

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Although on leave, Acting Sub-Officer Boulter turned out to help, only to find his colleagues were busy elsewhere.

He tackled several small fires and was in his office recording details when a parachute mine fell, destroying four houses, killing seven residents, trapping others and badly damaging a school used as an auxiliary fire station.

The brigade report recorded: “The force of the explosion flung Boulter across the office on to his face and he was partially buried in falling debris and severely cut about the face and hands.”

Oxford Mail:

Artist Bernard Hailstone’s painting of the wrecked Woolwich and fire station

He rescued one of the fire station telephonists who was trapped, then went outside.

“Although dazed by the explosion and bleeding profusely from cuts, Boulter, with the assistance of an auxiliary, managed to get a hydrant to work to hold the spread of fire.

“One of the walls of the school collapsed and falling bricks struck him on the head and shoulders, knocking him over and partially stunning him. He got to his feet and carried on.

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“Boulter’s tenacity, courage and devotion to duty were exceptional and his prompt handling of the fire undoubtedly prevented a serious situation and delayed the fire so that the trapped could be rescued.”

Mr Boulter was in action again a month later when a high-explosive bomb fell, destroying a single-storey annex on the school site and trapping five fire service staff.

The report said: “Despatch rider Cable was under the debris.

Held by his feet, Boulter commenced to tunnel downwards, wriggled down vertically and located the man, who was pinned under a steel girder and covered in masonry.

“After three hours’ hard work in darkness and in a dusty and gas fouled atmosphere, the man was released and brought out alive.

“Boulter suffered from physical exhaustion and the effects of the bad atmosphere, but did not go sick. He displayed endurance and great courage in the face of danger.”

He also helped recover bodies of the other four trapped staff.

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Mr Boulter was 27 and had served in the brigade for less than three years. He was chief officer in Oxford from 1962 to 1974, taking over from Victor Fenn.

Historian Mr Lowe, who worked under him in the latter years at George Street fire station, recalls: “He was a very modest man. Little was said about his wartime rescues and on the few occasions they were mentioned, he always insisted he had received the medal on behalf of his crew.”

Next week – Sidney Boulter’s ‘baptism of fire’ as chief fire officer.