Orders, Decorations and Medals

Bombardment of Hartlepool, an unusual gold presentation medal, in the form of a red enamelled cross, 35mm, with green enamelled laurel between each arm, the centre with applied arms of Hartlepool, the reverse engraved ‘Hartlepool’s Hospital, German Bombardment, Dec. 16 1914, Nurse L. Pryke for devotion to duty’, in 9 carat gold, hallmarks for Birmingham 1920, with double loop suspension and white ribbon, this fitted with blue enamelled central bar inscribed ‘December 16th 1914’, and blue enamelled top brooch bar inscribed ‘Hartlepool Hospital’, contained in its original case of issue; together with small photograph of recipient, nearly extremely fine and very rare £600-800

See Colour Plate III

These medals were specially struck for issue to the staff of the Hartlepool Hospital who were present working at the hospital during the German Naval bombardment of the area on 16 December 1914. Although the hospital was not actually hit by shellfire it was within range of the German guns and the Staff worked on regardless, tending to the many casualties.