Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Member, A.R.P. Rescue Party, Hackney (Member, A.R.P. Rescue Party, Hackney)

Awarded on:

July 7th, 1941

Citation:
"A high explosive bomb struck a building starting fires in the upper floors and breaking the water mains. An opening had to be made in the wreckage for members of the squad to enter the basement where water was three feet deep and still rising. A woman was found but could not be moved.
The water had by this time risen to five feet and the men were advised to leave. Sambridge, however, continued his efforts to release the victim.
By going under the water, he managed partly to free her. He then had a rope passed down which he tied to himself and the woman. He directed the men above to pull on the rope taking the strain on his own body and by this means the woman was released. The water was by now within two feet of the ceiling but he managed to guide her to the hole through which she was hauled to safety. Owing to the complete darkness and the difficulties in dealing with the casualty, Sambridge was left swiming in the water, which rose to within six inches of the ceiling, before he also was rescued on the point of collapse.
Sambridge, in effecting this gallant rescue, showed extreme devotion to duty and total disregard of personal safety."

LG 35210/3895.