Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Husband and Wife group:

Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct awarded to Mrs E. A. Wolstenholme
Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct, two silver laurel leaf emblems, in Central Chancery, London case of issue, complete with award document, to ‘Mrs Eleanor Amelia Wolstenholme, Housewife, London’

Three: Stoker Petty Officer J. Wolstenholme, Royal Navy
1914-15 Star (217928 J. Wolstenholme, Sto. 1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (217928 J. Wolstonholme, L. Sto. R.N.) mounted as worn; Identity Disk ‘J. Wolstenholme, S.P.O. 217928 C.E.’; Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffalo Badge (2) neck badge, 35mm., gilt and enamel, named, dated ‘1926’, with neck cravat bearing badge and clasps; another, breast badge, Sir Thomas King Lodge, 42mm., silver-gilt and enamel, named, dated ‘1924’, complete with enamelled top bar; R.A.O.B. Memorial Orphanage Badges (2), enamelled, with ‘Belgium’ suspension bars, in damaged case; Lodge Delegate Badge, enamelled, note variation in spelling of surname, medals very fine and better (lot) £350-450

The award of the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct to Mrs Eleanor Amelia Wolstenholme was published in the London Gazette of 24 June 1977.

Citation: ‘On 26 September 1975 Mrs Wolstenholme a retired lady, returned home and disturbed a man who was attempting to enter her house unlawfully. She challenged the intruder who approached her and stabbed her with a butcher’s knife. Fortunately she was wearing a boned corset and was not seriously injured. The man walked away and Mrs Wolstenholme telephoned for police assistance. She then returned to the street to await the police where she saw the intruder walking back to her. The man stabbed her again but she escaped serious injury once more.

Sergeant Brooks, who was on duty in a Panda car, recognised the intruder from the description broadcast and saw him go into a shop doorway. The officer stopped his car and the man left the doorway and went off down the road with Sergeant Brook in pursuit. The man suddenly swung round and hit the officer in the face. A struggle ensued and the man ran off with Sergeant Brook following. Sergeant Brooks jumped on the man’s back and was stabbed several times in the chest and thigh. Despite his wounds the officer overpowered the man and restrained him until further assistance arrived. Sergeant Brooks was taken to hospital and detained where despite the gravity of his wounds he recovered fully.

The man was found guilty of various offences including wounding with intent to resist arrest and was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.

In recognition of their courage and determination Sergeant Brooks and Mrs Wolstenholme have each been awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct.’

Sold with a large quantity of personal items and papers including: Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct citation; related House of Commons letter of congratulations, from Geoffrey Finsberg, M.B.E., J.P., M.P., addressed to ‘Mrs E. A. Wolstenholme, 12a Agincourt Road, London, N.W.3’; a letter of appreciation from New Scotland Yard; slip re. the award; presentation ceremony details; sundry newspaper cuttings; Passport to Mrs E. A. Wolstenholme (nee Franklin); framed photographs of people (5); large framed photograph of H.M.S. Cleopatra; a photograph album containing both military and family photographs; other loose photographs, including two of Mrs Wolstenholme at the awards ceremony; gold locket containing a photograph and lock of hair of her husband - Mrs Wolstenholme can be seen wearing this at the awards ceremony; anchor brooch, crucifix; prayer books (3); wallet (2), spectacles in case (2), mirror, cut-throat razor in box. The whole assemblage contained in damaged suitcase marked, ‘J.W.’