British Empire Medal for Meritorious Service (MISS MARSIE EIRENE COPPOCK); Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Naval Auxiliary Long Service Medal (MRS. M.E. TAYLOR) - with corresponding miniatures and an assortment of lapel badges to Coastguard Auxiliary Service and R.N.X.S.
Maisie Eirene Coppock/Taylor was born in Penarth Wales in 1920. She was awarded the British Empire Medal for assisting in the rescue of persons from Morley College at the risk of being buried by debris herself.
Maisie Eirene Coppock was awarded the BEM in Gazette 14 Feb 1941, Page 878
In the early part of the Second World War the M.T.C. provided drivers for Civil Defence organisations and the Home Guard. Notable amongst the former were the women of an M.T.C. company who volunteered to drive the Lambeth Borough Council Air Raid Precautions’ stretcher parties. Two drivers, Maisie Coppock and ‘Denny’ Goodbody, were awarded the British Empire Medal for their bravery in the aftermath of an air raid.
The incident occurred at 7.45p.m. on 15 October 1940 at Morley College, Westminster Bridge Road in Lambeth, which was being used as an emergency rest centre by Lambeth Borough Council and at the time of the attack held 193 people, many of whom had lost their homes. It was struck by a single bomb that demolished much of the structure and killed 57 people. Three men of an A.R.P. stretcher party and the two drivers dug a tunnel with their hands and freed about 14 people, passing them from one to another. The three men of the stretcher party were also awarded the B.E.M.
Coppock later married Charles Taylor in Bodmin, Cornwall in April 1946
Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated. Sold with some research.
