Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The O.B.E., R.R.C. group of eleven miniature dress medals attributed to Principal Matron Miss Ida Walden, Territorial Force Nursing Service, later Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type badge, gilt; Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), E.II.R. [sic], silver-gilt and enamel; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq; India General Service 1908-35, no clasp [sic - entitled to the clasp Waziristan 1921-24]; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn on two riband bars, the Great War trio on one bar, and the remainder on a second bar, generally very fine (11) £140-£180

Fellows’ Coins and Medals Auction, July 2015 (when sold alongside the full-sized awards and a large quantity of original documentation)

O.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 23 December 1947:
‘In recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner’

The original Recommendation states: ‘On the night of 4 April 1947, 2 Combined Military Hospital Meiktila (Burma) held 299 patients accommodated in semi-permanent bashas. As a result of a typhoon which hit the hospital area at about 1800 hours, all these bashas were raised to the ground within a period of two hours. Despite the fact that a large proportion of the patients were bed cases, no casualties were sustained and by the following morning all the patients were accommodated in alternative berths, with treatment resumed. This very credible performance was largely due to Principal Matron Ida Walden, R.R.C., who immediately preceded to the hospital at considerable risk of falling timber and, ignoring the fact that the Sisters’ Mess and quarters were already partly destroyed and would obviously lead to the loss of personal kit and possessions, commenced supervising the evacuation of patients. Her leadership and tireless energy, combined with her continued cheerfulness in the face of adversity, acted as an inspiration and won the admiration of all the medical staff and patients, and was largely responsible for avoiding what otherwise might have been a disaster.’

R.R.C. London Gazette 15 November 1945:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.’

The original Recommendation states: ‘In hospitals in the operational area she has by her efficient and energetic action done good work in raising the standard of nursing and morale of the personnel in a lonely station and done much good work for the comfort of patients.’

Miss Ida Jane Walden was born in October 1889 and served during the Great War with the Territorial Force Nursing Service, serving on board the hospital ship Britannic, (the sister ship of the Titanic), sailing back and forth to Gallipoli to evacuate the wounded. Subsequently posted to India, she saw further service in Iraq, Kurdistan, Persia and Burma, and for her gallantry and service in Burma during and immediately after the Second World War she was awarded both the O.B.E. and the R.R.C. She was latterly assistant matron of Nakuru War Memorial Hospital in Kenya, and then Matron of the Mombasa and Coast European Hospital in Kenya. She retired to Worthing and died in June 1979, a few short months before her 90th birthday.

Sold with copied research.

Note: Great War M.I.D. unconfirmed.