James Sansom

Original badges

We were very lucky to get these recently. This is an original arm badge along with an original service badge for three Years. These are extremely rare and we are over the moon with them. We also got 5 original buttons, using these we will now cast a set of replica ones which will completeContinueContinue reading “Original badges”

Reproduction ID cards

As originals are hard to come by I have made these reproduction ID cards. They do differ from the originals both in colour and material to keep the cost down and mean they wont be mistaken for originals in the future. They are made from red and white card printed using an inkjet printer. I’mContinueContinue reading “Reproduction ID cards”

Letter of appreciation

Below is a scan of the letter of appreciation from Aneurin Bevan (who famously created the NHS) to Gilbert H Carr, Director General, AAGB. Throughout it, Mr Bevan says how “its work will long be remembered with gratitude” and its “memorable work”, unfortunately though, Mr Bevan was wrong and instead of them being remembered theyContinueContinue reading “Letter of appreciation”

Defence Medal Claim

Whilst digging through some of Driver Bacon’s paperwork we found this. This is her original DM7, defence medal claim form. This confirmed the suspicion we had that due to her situation after the war she never got round to claiming her Defence Medal. After various correspondence with the Home Office, I am pleased to say thatContinueContinue reading “Defence Medal Claim”

Identification card

Whilst looking through piles of old paperwork we found lots more AAGB stuff which shall be added on here in due course.Amongst it, we found her ID card, this shows that she was number 206. It also tells us (on the cover) that the AAGB headquarters was at 9 Grosvenor Gardens, S.W.1.

First aid kit

This is a typical example of the type of first aid kit that would have been carried on an AAGB ambulance, provided by St John Ambulance, they were very basic, containing a few bandages and some slings.

Driver Bacon’s Belt

This was the belt that Driver Bacon wore during her service with the AAGB. It was her fathers first world war sam browne belt that she had shortened so she could use it on her uniform.

Dutch helmet

This helmet was given to a member of the AAGB who was transported by her after the evacuation of Dunkirk, in the very early days of the AAGB’s existence. an inscription on it reads: “A.Amoureús Dutch Troops”

Stand down parade

On this day 71 years ago (24/10/45) members of the AAGB gathered at Buckingham palace for their stand down parade. They were inspected by various dignitaries including HM Queen Elizabeth (Queen Mother). A cutting from the evening standard reads: THE QUEEN REVIEWS 200 GIRL DRIVERS ContinueContinue reading “Stand down parade”

Drivers chit.

Driver Bacon’s scrapbook reads “Sample of a chit made out on each journey” This chit shows that they worked a roughly 12 hour day, covering 250 miles, this shows the sheer scale of operations run by the AAGB.