16th Dec, 2020 10:30 GMT/BST

Militaria & Ethnographica

 
Lot 5
 

5

A Rare Boer War/First World War Group of Nursing Medals and Badges, awarded to Nursing Sister Ellen

A Rare Boer War/First World War Group of Nursing Medals and Badges, awarded to Nursing Sister Ellen Mary Smyth of the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, comprising Queen's South Africa Medal and King's South Africa Medal named NURSING SISTER E.M.SMITH, 1914 Star named MISS E.M.SMYTH, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., British War Medal and Victory Medal (MID) named SISTER E.M.SMYTH, all with the corresponding miniature group , QSA, KSA and 1914 Star Trio swing mounted as worn , also Royal Red Cross 2nd Class (George V) in case of issue, Queen Alexandra's Boer War Cross, the reverse engraved ALEXANDRA, FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY, 1899-1902, in case of issue, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve silver cape badge hallmarked Birmingham 1915, and Princess Christian's Army Nursing Service Reserve white metal cape badge, the reverse numbered 668, together with a photocopy of her obituary, two volumes of With the Flag to Pretoria, one volume of After Pretoria, the Guerilla War and two magazines (20) Footnote:- Mary Ellen Smyth born 4th April 1891. A founding member of the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Nursing Service Reserve, she had served during the Boer War and was awarded the Queen's and King's South Africa Medals. When the Boer War had finished, she chose to stay in South Africa for a further two years, for which she was personally decorated by Queen Alexandra. At the outbreak of the First World War she was called away from private nursing in France to serve her country at home and in France. Landing in France & Flanders on 12th November 1914, serving there until 12th November 1916 when she resigned to take a rest. Re-joined as a sister at Belmont Hospital in Surrey, which was used for Prisoners of War. After the war she established a hospital for diabetics at York in the early the 1920's. Miss Smyth retired after the end of the Second World War and passed away in Harrogate in 1988. Mentioned in Despatches by Haig, announced in the London gazette on 4th January 1917. Invested with the Royal Red Cross 2nd Class at the County Hall in Warwick by the Lord Lieutenant on 29th March 1921. It had been announced in the London Gazette on 9th April 1919.

Sold for £2,400
Estimated at £900 - £1,200


 

. QSA with very visible ghost dates; 1914 Star has been gilded, QSA & KSA swing mounted as worn. 1914 Star Trio seperately swing mounted as worn. The Queen Alexandra's Cross has a small nick to the edge of the upper edge of the left arm and a tiny chip to the red enamel border. The right arm has small areas of loss of red enamel to the lower corner. The lower upright has small cracks to the red enamel border.

 


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Regarding Pictures, Prints and Works on Paper, works are not examined out of the frame, unless specifically stated. Tennants Auctioneers do not cover damage to gilded wood or plaster picture frames, or to picture frame glass whilst the item is in our possession.

We accept no liability for the opinions expressed in any Condition Report.

Auction: Militaria & Ethnographica, 16th Dec, 2020

Militaria & Ethnographica

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