Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sister E. H. Cole, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service, who died on active service in France in February 1915

1914 Star (Staff Nurse E. H. Cole, Q.A.I.M.N.S.); British War and Victory Medals Sister E. H. Cole), together with Q.A.I.M.N.S. badge, bronze, good very fine (4) £250-300

Emily Helena Cole was born in Cape Town in June 1882, the daughter of a Colonial Government Contractor. Educated back in the U.K. at Knole Hall High School, she trained as a nurse at Poplar Hospital and applied for a post in Queen Alexandria’s Imperial Military Nursing Service in October 1911.

Duly accepted, she was quickly embarked for France following the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, serving as a Staff Nurse at 14th General Hospital, Boulogne, France. It was here that she died of Cerebro Spinal Fever on 21 February 1915, aged 32 years. The daughter of Mrs. E. H. Cole of 46, Charminster Road, Bournemouth, she was buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery; sold with copied Q.A.I.M.N.S. application form and official correspondence with her mother.