An M.B.E. pair awarded to Matron Gladys Hope-Lucas

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type lady’s shoulder badge, silver, unnamed, mounted ‘bow and tails’, in Royal Mint case of issue; Guy’s Hospital Sisters’ Medal, by Waterlow & Sons, obverse: hospital facade, ‘Guy’s Hospital Founded A.D. 1724’ ‘Sister’ and inscribed, ‘Hope Lucas August 10th 1925’, 82mm., silver base metal, in fitted case of issue, extremely fine (2) £240-280

M.B.E. London Gazette 14 June 1945. ‘Miss Hope Lucas, Nursing Superintendent Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospitals, Bangalore.’

Gladys Hope-Lucas was born in Frinton, Essex on 20 September 1900. In 1921 she became a Probationer Nurse at Guy’s Hospital, Southwark; completing her training in 1925. She registered with the G.N.C. on 24 April 1925, No. 35792. She served as a Sister in several wards at Guy’s Hospital and her service was recognised by the award of a Sisters’ Medal in 1925 (the award known as the ‘Teapot-stand’). In 1931 she completed midwifery training at the General Lying-in Hospital, York Road. She joined the staff of the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hosptals, Bangalore, as Tutor Sister in June 1934 and became Matron and Lady Superintendent in February 1936. For her services during the war, she was awarded the M.B.E. in 1945. Amongst her patients in India was Lady Mountbatten. After the war she returned to England and joined the W.V.S. and organised the Hospital Car Service for Buckinghamshire for four years until the N.H.S. took over the Ambulance Service. She also ran the W.V.S. shop at St. John’s Hospital, Stone. Living in Bexhill, she was a (the only woman) member of the Chamber of Commerce and was a founder member of the Bexhill Business and Professional Women’s Group, of which she was president for several years. Miss Hope Lucas died on 27 July 1982.

With original M.B.E. bestowal document; and a folder containing original and copy research papers, including: several original photographs of the recipient at various times during her nursing career; several original letters addressed to Miss Lucas - including one signed by Lady Edwina Mountbatten; birth and death certificates.