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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 616

'We were on stand-by at St David's Hospital when a bomb exploded at Neville Street and Blackstone Street. There was a huge explosion with debris flying through the air.
We cycled down there to find a complete mess. The buildings were down and a car had been blown through the air and was lodged against a lamppost. We checked and there was nobody in it. It didn't have a bit of paint left on it'

St. John's Ambulance Cadet Robert Wilcox remembers the Cardiff Blitz in the South Wales Echo, 3 January 2001

Five: Constable L. C. Weeks, Sussex Police, late Cadet, St. John's Ambulance, one of three cadets commended for their bravery during the Cardiff Blitz on 2 January 1941

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Police Exemplary Service Medal, E.II.R. (Const. Leonard C. Weeks), mounted for wear minor pitting and contact wear overall, very fine (6)

Leonard Charles Weeks was born at Cardiff, Glamorgan on 7 April 1925, the son of William and Mary Weeks. The family was still living in Cardiff on the outbreak of the Second World War with young Weeks serving as a St. John's Ambulance Cadet. During the heaviest raid on 2 January 1941 Weeks with two other cadets Robert Wilcox and Windsor Rogers were on duty when the bombs began to rain down on the city. Despite the danger they remained at their posts, acting as messengers for First Aid Posts who had their telephone communications cut. The recommendation states:

'The lads did splendid work and were most level-headed and resourceful under very trying conditions. They were several times exposed to blast from H.E. bombs and were at Sloper Road Station when it was damaged by a H.E. Bomb'

Awarded the Certificate of Honour of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem for their actions the boys were mentioned in the London Gazette with the citation stating 'Good work during heavy air raid on Cardiff on 2nd/3rd January 1941 at night'. Turning 18 the next year all three joined the military and saw service in the Second World War. Weeks survived the war and moved to Eastbourne, Sussex, becoming a Police Constable. Marrying Margret Pettet in 1946 Weeks continued to live in Sussex until his death in December 1997; sold together with an original Cardiff City Fire Guards Certificate of Enrolment and two original newspaper extracts as well as copied research including the recommendation for award, census data, police medal rolls and handwritten research.

For the India General Service Medal of Sergeant A. Crute, 1st Welsh Regiment who was killed in the bombing raid for which Weeks was commended see Lot 144.

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Sold for
£170

Starting price
£110