Lance-Corporal James Fenwick Nesbit
Unit : 195th Airlanding Field Ambulance
Army No. : 7373018
Awards : George Medal
In France on the 20th August, 1944, a carrier belonging to the Belgian Group, loaded with petrol and ammunition, exploded a mine and caught fire, four men being trapped inside. Within a matter of seconds the carrier was an inferno of flames and exploding ammunition. Lance-Corporal Nesbit immediately led a rescue party. Without hesitation and ignoring the danger from blazing petrol and exploding ammunition, the party extricated the four badly burned victims and carried out first aid treatment. This itself was a very hazardous procedure, as it involved the removal of burning clothing from patients who at the time were carrying hand grenades on their belts. Finally, after first aid treatment had been applied, Lance-Corporal Nesbit led the stretcher bearers past the still blazing and exploding carrier to an ambulance car in which they were evacuated to a dressing station.
By his coolness, leadership and complete disregard for his personal safety, Lance-Corporal Nesbit set a magnificent example to his men and undoubtedly saved four lives.
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