61162: A gift from a German P.O.W. after an act of courage

On the 3rd September 1919 L.A.C. Bernard Darley (Service no. 28345), R.A.F, was commended for fighting a fire at Workshop No. 2 M.T.R.D. Royal Air Force, St Omer . He entered a burning building and fought the fire from within to prevent the explosion of two petrol filled tanks and electrical fire to the nearby power station, at great risk to his own life.

He was assisted through the entire operation by a German Prisoner of War named Otto Arndt (No. 585) of the 139th P.O.W. Company. The two became friends. Otto crafted Bernard a matchbox as a gift. The matchbox is inscribed with the words "Souvenir from France / St Omer / Otto Arndt".