Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare post-war R.R.C. group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Myrtle Chamberlain, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps

Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), E.II.R., silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse of the lower arm officially dated ‘1976’; U.N. Korea 1950-54; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Cyprus, Malaya (Capt. M. Chamberlain, Q.A.R.A.N.C.); General Service 1962, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (Major M. Chamberlain, Q.A.R.A.N.C.); Jubilee 1977, mounted court-style as worn, together with General Nursing Council of England & Wales badge, metal and enamel, the reverse inscribed, ‘M. Chamberlain, S.R.N., 179111’, and Charing Cross Hospital badge, bronze, the reverse inscribed, ‘M. Chamberlain’, good very fine (7) £800-1000

R.R.C. London Gazette 12 June 1976.

The original recommendation states:

‘Lieutenant-Colonel Chamberlain has served in Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps for 23 years and during that time her nursing standards have always been very good.

In 1974 she was posted to the U.K. Military Hospital, Singapore as Deputy Matron and in June 1975 she assumed the appointment of Matron. The hospital was staffed by nurses of every rank from the Services of the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia as well as locally employed Singapore nurses.

She had the welfare of her staff at heart and was always ready to attend to problems whether personal or professional. As a result of her forthright manner, exceptional devotion to duty and her example, she had the complete confidence and loyalty of the staff under her command in an atmosphere where service and national customs and tradition could have provoked disharmony.

On 1 April 1975, the hospital welcomed within its barracks the Singapore Armed Forces Commissioning Team to plan the take over of the U.K. Military Hospital, Singapore and establish the Singapore Armed Forces Military Hospital.

Lieutenant-Colonel Chamberlain was liberal with technical and professional advice and her tactful handling of the nursing staff of the team ensured a smooth hand over of the hospital.

Lieutenant-Colonel Chamberlain displayed a sound sense of diplomacy and judgment and responsibility and I strongly recommend that she be considered for the award of the Royal Red Cross 1st Class.’



Myrtle Chamberlain, who was born in March 1929, was commissioned in Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps in September 1952. Having then been placed on the Reserve of Officers in November 1968, she was recalled to duty and attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in June 1976.

Sold with her original commission warrants for the ranks of Lieutenant, dated 10 October 1952, and Captain, dated 17 November 1961.