Orders, Decorations and Medals

A ‘Birmingham Blitz’ bomb disposal George Medal group of four awarded to Lance-Sergeant Andrew Sanders, Royal Engineers

George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (2074517 L/Sgt., R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals, the first with contact wear but better than good fine, otherwise very fine (4)

G.M. London Gazette 30 September 1941. Lance-Sergeant Andrew Sanders, 9 Bomb Disposal Company, R.E. The following recommendation was extracted from official records:

‘He has been engaged in bomb disposal since August 1940. He has taken charge on at least five Category “A” excavations involving work on bombs at short intervals after falling. He has twice been injured during operations but this has had no affect on his keenness and capacity for taking on any jobs.

Incident ‘A’ 19 November 1940, Birmingham. A 250 kilogram bomb fell alongside some condensers at Nechells Gas Works at 23.30 hrs. The report was not received at Company HQ until 06.30 hrs on the 20th. He volunteered to take charge of the working party and by his energy and steadiness kept the party working until the bomb was finally disposed of at 12.30 hrs.

Incident ‘B’ 2 February 1941, Birmingham. A bomb was lodged beneath the foundations of a house in Delebran Road, Sparkbrook. The ground was found to be extra bad and consequently under-pinning was necessary. At a depth of fourteen feet, during excavation, water burst through a cast iron main causing timbers to give way. One man was pinned in the hole and the under-pinning commenced to fall away. He ordered his party away, with the exception of one man, secured himself by rope and descended to the trapped man. He managed to extricate the man and brought him to the surface. his prompt act saved the man’s life, as the wall collapsed into the hole.’ Sold with some further research, copy newscuttings and portrait photograph.