17 October 1940
Southwell was part of a team tackling an unexploded parachute mine on the 17 October 1940 during the height of the blitz in Hoxton in the East End of London.
Along with and his companion, Sub-Lieutenant Jack Easton, they were called to a mine in Clifton Street, Shoreditch. The street was deserted and the 1,500 pounds (680 kg) mine could be seen dangling from its parachute, wrapped round the chimney of a terraced house.
The pair had to climb through a window into the bedroom, as the mine was blocking the door wedged between a bedstead and the collapsing chimney. Easton set about defusing the mine with Southwell passing him tools through the window. They were working in this way when the rest of the chimney collapsed, setting off the fuse which began to tick. They ran for cover in a nearby air raid shelter but the mine exploded, destroying six surrounding streets and killing Southwell instantly.
Such was the damage that his body was undiscovered for a further six weeks.
Sub-Lieutenant Easton survived and both men were awarded the George Cross. Southwell's citation reads:
Read more about this topic: Bennett Southwell
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