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Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 574

A Second World War R.R.C. 1st Class group of five awarded to Principal Matron R. M. Ruddock, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, late Territorial Force Nursing Service, who served during both World Wars, but was somewhat let down by two of her charges in 1937 when they took it upon themselves to steal her motor-car and go on a 'joy ride'


Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), G.VI.R., silver-gilt, gold and enamel, the reverse officially dated '1941', mounted upon ladies bow riband; British War and Victory Medals (Sister R. M. Ruddock.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, minor loss of red enamel to arm of first, good very fine (5)

R.R.C. 1st Class London Gazette 1 July 1941.

Rosalind Maud Ruddock was born on 9 January 1887 at Weymouth, Dorset, the son of Nathaniel and Mary Ruddock. Baptised at the Church of St. John on 27 February 1887, she spent her early childhood living at Portland where her father worked as a Royal Navy Schoolmaster, before moving away and taking employment as a servant in Lambeth on 2 April 1911. Following the outbreak of hostilities, Ruddock attested for the Territorial Force Nursing Service and served in Salonica from 20 October 1916. She later transferred to the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, and is recorded in the Army List of 1923 as a Nursing Sister on Malta.

Appointed Staff Nurse on 1 September 1919 (London Gazette 23 April 1920, refers), Sister on 1 July 1926 (London Gazette 16 July 1926, refers), Matron on 22 January 1938 (London Gazette 21 January 1938, refers) and Principal Matron on 13 May 1942 (London Gazette 5 June 1942, refers), Ruddock retired on 9 January 1944 (London Gazette 18 April 1944, refers), only to be re-employed by the Q.A.I.M.N.S. that same day and reverted to the rank of Matron at her own request (ibid). It appears that she finally left the service after a long and distinguished nursing career in 1947, being appointed Honorary Principal Matron alongside ten colleagues for service with Women's Forces (London Gazette 11 March 1947, refers).

Little is known of her inter-war or post-war life, but an article published in The Portsmouth Evening News on 28 September 1937 adds a rather interesting story:

'Soldier's 50-Mile Joy Ride

Hospital Matron's Car Stolen

A 50-mile joy ride through two counties led to the appearance at Eastleigh, Hants, to-day of two men, patients at the Victoria Military Hospital, Netley, who admitted stealing a car belonging to the hospital matron, Rosalind Maud Ruddock, from outside nursing quarters on September 17.

Private Harold Cleaveley (20), of the Middlesex Regiment, stationed at Victoria Barracks, Portsmouth, was sent to prison for three months, and Rifleman Arthur Marsh (24), of the Rifle Brigade, stationed at New Barracks, Gosport, was handed over to the military authorities to be dealt with.

P.C. William Mann said that Cleaveley and Marsh were detained at Egham, Surrey. Cleaveley said, "Yes, I stole the car and drove it," and Marsh's statement was, "If we had not run out of petrol you wouldn't have had us."

It was stated that Cleaveley would not be accepted back into his regiment, but Marsh would be as he was due for an Indian draft in December.'

Running the story, the Hampshire Telegraph further added on 24 September 1937 that the motor-car was valued at £45.
Rosalind Maud Ruddock died at Worthing Hospital on 2 July 1975 in consequence of myocardial degeneration, her death certificate noting her occupation as 'Army Nursing Matron (retired)'. Probate later recorded her home address as 15 Normandy Lane, East Preston, Angmering, the total value of the estate being £21,550; sold with copied MIC and research.


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Estimate
£700 to £900

Starting price
£650