BB Gazette Vol.49 No.10 – The Boys’ Brigade Cross for Heroism has been awarded to Private Ronald Orme, aged 16, of the 9^th Manchester Company for conspicuous bravery during an air raid on Manchester on the night of 22nd/23rd December, 1940.

Orme was on duty as an A.R.P. messenger when an underground shelter adjoining his post received a direct hit from a high explosive bomb. He at once rushed out to the scene of the damage, and by crawling under the debris he got into the wreckage. He brought out a number of adults and young people, and carried several babies to a place of safety, using his own helmet to shield them from falling shrapnel. All the while the raid was still at its height, with fires raging and bombs falling. When the rescues were completed Orme attached himself to wardens fighting fires. He climbed a drain pipe 45 feet high to tackle a blazing roof, and when the fire was under control he then assisted to rescue people from a nearby house that had been bombed. The account of his gallantry is signed by over one hundred people, who testify that throughout the night Orme showed an utter disregard for his own safety.

Our cover pictures, for we present a portrait of the latest winner of the B.B. Cross for Heroism, Ronald Orme, Munition worker, A.R.P. member and hero, whose gallantry is described on this page. The photograph was taken by the Daily Express, Manchester.