Superb September 1940 London Blitz, British Empire Medal to a Lady Ambulance Driver with the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service for the Rescue of Women and Children Who Were in Grave Danger due to Enemy Action, British Empire medal (Civil) GVIR, 1st type, engraved naming ‘RUBY GWENDOLINE SANDFORD’, mounted on original ribbon bow. With copied research.London Gazette 30th May 1941 – Awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division):- Mabel Anne, Mrs. Armitage, Ambulance Attendant, Philip Davey, Attendant, Miss Betty Leverton, Ambulance Attendant, Miss Ruby Gwendoline Sandford, Driver, Joseph Slipman, Driver, George Frederick William Tindall, Driver, London Auxiliary Ambulance Service.Ambulances were sent to evacuate women and children, rendered homeless by enemy action, who were in grave danger. Owing to intense fires only three ambulances were able to get through. Driven and attended by those named above these ambulances formed a convoy and made five journeys to and from the affected area taking the victims to safety. During the journeys high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped nearby and fires spread across the roads which had to be traversed, smoke at times obscuring the way. By their devotion to duty these officers enabled a large number of people to reach safety.Originally recommended for a George medal for her actions on the night of the 7th/8th September 1940 at West Ham rescuing women and children from the Tate & Lyle and taking them to the Woolwich ferry. The convoy of ambulances lead by Ruby Sandford made 5 trips whilst bombs were falling and fires were blazing in the district. 36 year old Ruby Sandford from Hendon, was awarded a hard earned British Empire medal along with 5 of her colleagues for this action during which approximately 300 people were rescued.Ruby Gwendoline Sandford died on 9th May 1982 in Hendon, London