Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Africa General Service campaign medal awarded to Nursing Sister Gertrude Clayton, Northern Nigeria Medical Department

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Aro 1901-1902 (Nursing Sister G. Clayton.) minor edge bruise, good very fine, rare £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Norman Gooding Collection.

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Gertrude Clayton was born in Essex on 17 November 1867, the daughter of farmer William Clayton. Home educated, she took early employment as a probationer assistant at Hillsea. She subsequently qualified as a nurse and in 1894 entered the service of the Fountain Hospital, Tooting. Raised Charge Nurse with responsibility for a ward, her reference in 1896 notes ‘excellent’ performance, her superior adding: ‘I have a very high opinion of her, both as a woman and a nurse.’

In September 1900, Clayton applied to the Colonial Nursing Association for a post abroad. Though technically selected for appointment to the West Africa Frontier Force, this medical element had been absorbed into the civilian medical establishment by the time of her arrival; confirmed on the AGS medal roll as a Nursing Sister in the Northern Nigeria Medical Department, a total of five nurses - four from Southern Nigeria, plus Clayton from Northern Nigeria - qualified for this medal and clasp.

Sold with copied Service Record.