Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War R.R.C. group of five awarded to Matron M. B. Williams, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service

Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver-gilt, gold and enamel, unnamed, on bow ribbon; 1914 Star, with clasp (Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (A. Matron); Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Cape Badge, silver, hallmarks for Birmingham 1917, unnamed, nearly extremely fine (5) £1200-1600

Ex D.N.W. 21 June 2013.

Royal Red Cross, 1st Class London Gazette 3 June 1916.

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916 and 15 June 1916.

Margaret Bessie Williams was born on 20 July 1878, and educated at Malvern House School, Reading. She trained at the General Hospital, Hereford, September 1899 to September 1902, when she was appointed Staff Nurse, and served at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, until October 1904. She was appointed Staff Nurse Q.A.I.M.N.S. in May 1905, and became Sister in June 1910. Served as Acting Matron, December 1915-January 1921. She disembarked in France on 12 August 1914, for service with No. 6 General Hospital and later with No. 14 Stationary Hospital, 1,000 beds at Boulogne. She was invested with the insignia of the R.R.C. by the King at Buckingham Palace on 27 June 1916, having been mentioned in the despatches of Sir John French, dated 30 November 1915, and of Sir Douglas Haig, dated 30 April 1916. After 10 years further service in the UK, Ireland and on the Rhine, she retired on 1 July 1933, having been promoted to Matron in July 1928. Miss Williams died on 24 November 1978, aged 100 years.

With copied gazette and roll extracts and m.i.c. and a quantity of copied service papers.