William James Keery from Derbyshire served in the Sherwood Foresters before the war until 20 October 1936 when he purchased his discharge. He joined the Metropolitan Police on 28 June 1937. Police Constable Keery, aged 25, was awarded the George Medal for rescuing 7 persons trapped in a cellar at Queens Buildings Scovell Road at Lambeth, London, on 15 October 1940. In 1943 he volunteered for commando service enlisting 20 May 1943 and after completing his training was attached to No.1 Commando for operations in the Far East. Re-joined the Metropolitan Police on 17 February 1946 retiring as a Constable on 30 September 1967.

A very heavy bomb demolished a large part of a block of dwellings, causing many casualties. P.C. Keery attended with other Police Officers. Cries were heard from a cellar and a small opening was found, blocked by debris and some heavy iron railings.

With some difficulty this was partly cleared and a hole just large enough to admit a man was made. Unhesitatingly Keery dropped into the cellar through this hole and, making his way through fallen beams and masonry, succeeded in bringing out, first a badly wounded man, then three children, one woman and two more men.

The P.C. showed extreme coolness and courage and worked regardless of danger to himself. The whole building was liable to collapse and the enemy were continuously overhead. Immediately after this very fine effort, the P.C. applied himself to further rescue work and was unsparing in his efforts to render aid to the trapped occupants of the buildings.

 

Tony Moore FRHistS and Police Historian. 
[Image above] Cropped from photo in gallery titled No.1 Commando Warrant Officers and Sergeants 1945.
[Image below] Report on a commendation in the  Derby Evening Telegraph 16 August 1962.