A Great War M.B.E. group of three awarded to Matron E. M. E. Todd, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service - Matron of the Royal Arsenal Hospital, Woolwich, during the Great War

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919 [sic], reverse additionally engraved ‘Matron E. M. E. Todd 3 June 1918’; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasps (Nursing Sister E. M. E. Todd.) officially renamed; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Nursing Sister E. M. E. Todd) both clasps loose on riband with some lugs retaining broken rivets, edge bruising to last, nearly very fine or better (3) £400-500

M.B.E. London Gazette 7 June 1918, ‘Miss Edith Mary Elizabeth Todd. Matron, Royal Arsenal Hospital, Woolwich.’

Edith May Elizabeth Todd was born in Ryde, on the Isle of Wight in 1869. She served in the Army Nursing Service during the Second Boer War, and ‘arrived from England on 15.1.00. Transferred on 2.2.00 to No. 4 Stationary Hospital for duty. Rejoined No. 4 General Hospital on 25.2.00. Served also on Hospital Ship “Simla” from 8.8.00 to 5.11.00’ (Medal Roll refers)

Todd transferred to Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service in 1903, and she was employed as a Sister in the Connaught Hospital, Aldershot upon her return from South Africa (entitled to Q.S.A. with ‘Belmont’ clasp, and K.S.A. with 2 clasps). Todd was transferred to the Military Hospital at Colchester in 1907, before serving as Matron at the Royal Arsenal Hospital, Woolwich, during the Great War. In later life she resided at 13 Rossway Well Hall, Eltham, Kent and died at Queen Mary’s Hospital Putney in April 1930.