Reading through several WW1 newspaper archives, every now & then there are reports of nurses being awarded Military Medals whilst tending to wounded soldiers on or near the battlefields. Is there an approximate total of how many of these brave ladies were honoured in this way?

Many thanks.

Approximately 128 MMs were awarded to women,the majority of which would have been to Nurses{interestingly there was no rank distinction,the MM being granted to Nurses of varying "Rank"}

An OMRS Article of the 1980s gives {If memory serves.........} a complete Roll of these awards.

Many thanks for that. It's a subject you do not hear much about.

Nick

Only 8 Military Medals were awarded to Canadian Nursing Sisters. One happened to be from the area of Quebec I've been researching. Her citation can be seen here.

marc

91 MMs were awarded to nurses according to my figures. It was the only bravery award open to women, since none had official status as officers. This was not resented, however. As the Matron-in-Chief in France wrote in her final report: 'The Nursing Service, as a whole, have considered it a great honour to be given a medal which is awarded solely for bravery in the field.'

Charles M

I'm only 25% of the way through indexing the MMs in the Gazette but here's (some of) the MMs awarded to Nurses up to 1917:

4-9-1916

The Lady Dorothie Mary Evelyn Feilding (Monro Motor Ambulance).
Matron Miss Mabel Mary Tunley, R.R.C., Q.A.I.M.N.S.
Sister Miss Beatrice Alice Allsop, Q.A.I.M.N.S. (R.).
Sister Miss Norah Easeby, Q.A.I.M.N.S. (R.).
Staff Nurse Miss Ethel Hutchinson,
Staff Nurse Miss Jean Strachan Whyte, T.F., N.S.

6-1-1917

Staff Nurse Catherine M. Carruthers, T.F., Nursing Service.

22-1-1917

Sister Kate Mahony, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (Res.).
Sister Ethel Kate Thompson, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (Res.).
Sister Mabel Louise Evans, T.F. Nursing Service.

11-5-1917

Staff Nurse Miss Daisy Ellen Dobbs, Nursing Service.

28-5-1917

Staff Nurse A. R. Colhoun, Queen Alexandra's Imp. Mil. Nursing Serv. Res.
Staff Nurse E. Garrett, Queen Alexandra's Imp. Mil. Nursing Serv. Res.

18-7-1917

Sister L. E. James, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Nursing Service.
Actg. Sister E. Maude, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (Res).

16-8-1917

Sister Miss Mary Agnes Crawford Blair, Queen Alexandra's Imp. Mil. Nursing Service (Res.), attd. R.A.M.C.
Staff Nurse Miss Christina McLean, Queen Alexandra's Imp. Mil. Nursing Service
(Res.), attd. R.A.M.C.
Staff Nurse Miss Helen Elizabeth Panton, T.F. Nursing Service.


17-9-1917

Nursing Sister Miss Linda Bowles, Q.A.I.M. N.S. (Res.).
Staff Nurse Miss Louisa Mary Gilbert, Q.A.I.M.N.S. (Res.).
Nursing Sister Miss Cissy Spence, Q.A.I.M.N.S. (Res.).

28-9-1917

AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.

Nursing-Sister Dorothy Gwendoline Cawood,Aust. A.N.S.
Nursing-Sister Clare Deacon, Aust. A.N.S.
Staff Nurse Mary Jane Denser, Aust. A.N.S.
Nursing-Sister Alice Ross-King, Aust. A.N.S


17-10-1917

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal to the undermentioned ladies for conspicuous gallantry displayed in the performance of their duties on the occasion of hostile air raids on Casualty Clearing Stations in the Field: —

Acting Sister Ellen Byrne, Q.A.I.M.N.S. (R.).
Staff Nurse Elizabeth Jane Eckett, T.F. Nursing Service.
Sister Winuieford Muriel Hawkins, T.F. Nursing Service.
Sister Alicia Mary Kelly, Aust. Army Nursing Service.
Sister Rachel Pratt, Aust. A.M. Corps.
Acting Sister Catherine Murray Roy Q.A.I.M.N.S.
Sister Minnie Wood, Q.A.I.M.N.S.


26-11-1917

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal to the undermentioned Lady: —

Sister, Julia Ashbourne Herbert, T.F. Nursing Service.

For conspicuous devotion to duty when, after being wounded in the head by an
aerial bomb, she came on duty in the operating theatre, and continued to work there the whole night and all the next day.

18-12-1917

His Majesty the KING has been pleased to confer the Military Medal for bravery in the Field on the undermentioned Ladies of the Nursing Service for bravery and conspicuous devotion in tbe performance of their duties whilst exposed to enemy shell fire or bombs dropped by enemy aircraft: —

Miss Elizabeth Mountford Humphries,. Matron, T.F.N.S.
Miss Gladys Victoria King, Queen Alexandra. Hpl. (V.A.D.).
Miss Helena Kate Reptoh, Queen Alexandra Hpl., R.R.C.S.
Miss Ethel Isabella Devenish Meares, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S. ®.
Miss Annie Weir, Nurse, R.R.C.S. (V.A.D.).
Miss Lelia Helen Ann Thomson, Sister, T.F.N.S.
Miss Annie Alexander, Nursing Sister, Queen-Alexandra Hpl., R.R.C.S.


11-1-1918

His Majesty the KING-has been pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal to the undermentioned Ladies for coolness and gallantry displayed in the performance of their duties when a casualty clearing station was heavily shelled:—

Sister, Miss Mary Gladys Connie Foley, R.R.C.,Q.A.I.M.N.S.
Sister, Miss Mabel Jennings, A.R.R.C., T.F.N.S.


Steve.

Name: CREWDSON, DOROTHEA MARY LYNETTE
Initials: D M L
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Nursing Sister
Regiment: Voluntary Aid Detachment
Secondary Regiment: British Red Cross Society
Age: 32
Date of Death: 12/03/1919
Awards: MM, ARRC
Additional information: Daughter of Henry and Margaret Croom Crewdson, of Nottingham.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: XLV. C. 13.
Cemetery: ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY

Another lady for the list

Chris

From the London Gazette 4th June 1918:

His Majesty the KING has been pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal to the undermentioned Ladies for distinguished services in the Field as recorded:—

Sister-in-Charge Kate Maxey, T.F.N.S.

For gallantry and conspicuous devotion to duty displayed during a recent hostile bombing raid on a Casualty Clearing Station. Although severely wounded herself, she went to the aid of another Sister, who was fatally wounded, and did all she could for her. Later, although suffering severe pain, she showed an example of pluck and endurance
which was inspiring to all.

Sister Dorothy Penrose Foster, R.R.C., T.F.N.S.-

For conspicuous coolness and devotion to duty when supervising the transfer of patients from a Casualty Clearing Station to an Ambulance Train while the locality of the Casualty Clearing Station was being steadily shelled. She set a splendid example of calmness and composure.

A./Sister Mary Agatha Brown, Q.A.I.M.N.S. (R.)

For bravery and devotion to duty during an hostile bombing raid when in company with the Matron who was severely wounded and a Sister who was killed. She remained with them and tended them till help arrived. Subsequently she returned to the Casualty Clearing Station and worked devotedly for many hours, under conditions of great
danger.

A./Sister Marie Daw Lutwick, Q.A.I.M.N.S. (R-.) (Can.).

For bravery and devotion to duty during an hostile bombing raid when in company with the Matron who was severely wounded and-a Sister who was killed. She crossed the open bomb-swept ground alone in order
to procure help. Subsequently she returned to the Casualty Clearing Station and continued to work for many hours, under conditions of great danger.

Miss Lilian Audrey Forse, V.A.D.

For courage and devotion to duty displayed when during an hostile air raid a bomb fell on the hospital marquee of which she was in charge. Although great damage was done and many patients injured, she showed admirable coolness in the performance of her duties throughout, and carried on as if nothing had happened.


London Gazette 23-8-1918

His Majesty the KING has been pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal to the undermentioned Lady for distinguished service in the Field, as recorded: —

Staff Nurse Pearl Elizabeth Corkhill, Aust. A.N.S.

For courage and devotion on the occasion of an enemy air-raid. She continued to
attend to the wounded without any regard to her own safety, though enemy aircraft were overhead. Her example was of the greatest value in allaying the alarm of the patients.


Steve.

Hey Steve,

You don't do things by half do you?! What a project, as well as helping out on the forum, working, etc. Where do you find the time? Have you given up on this eating and sleeping lark?

Stuart

Sleep?! Work?!

I knew I was forgetting something...

Eating and drinking still on the menu. So to speak...

Just under 30,000 MMs entered on so far (June 1916 to July 1917). Then I've got to sort them by units...

Steve.

P.S. Did I mention my RE numbers database?

I could save you some effort on MMs to the MGC, AUS/CAN/NZ MGCs..

Kate Maxey nearly lost her life as well that night. Her injuries were reported as:

'... she sustained multiple bomb wounds in the following regions. Right forehead, right side of neck, right forearm, right thigh upper and lower, left thigh and right foot. The lower part of the right radius was fractured. The right spinal accessory nerve was injured causing pain and limitation of movement of the scapula. The right membrana tympani was perforated.'

A report from the Officer Commanding 58 Casualty Clearing Station concluded:

'... Miss Maxey's tact, zeal for work, and influence for good are of the highest. On the night of 21.3.18 when lying wounded, she still directed nurses, orderlies and stretcher bearers and refused aid until others were seen to first. I have the greatest pleasure in giving this testimony to one of the finest Nursing Sisters I have ever met.'

Kate Maxey returned to work on 8th August 1918, and continued to serve in the Territorial Force Nursing Service until April 1931.

Sue

And one that I don't think Steve has mentioned above ( )

Dorothy Ann Laughton, Territorial Force Nursing Service

On the night of 19th August 1917, the Asylum at St. Venant was hit by bombs from enemy aeroplanes. The Asylum was at the time occupied partly by civilian insanes, mostly old and helpless women, and partly by No.57 British Casualty Clearing Station. A large number of insane patients were badly wounded and some killed; the buildings were ruined; all lights went out, and the lunatics scattered in their terror in all directions within the grounds. If it had not been for the good work of the civil female attendants and the Nursing Sisters of the Casualty Clearing Station, a scene of absolute chaos would have arisen. Many patients, poor helpless insane females, were buried under the ruins of the buildings and had to be dug out. All the injured were operated on and otherwise attended to in C.C.S.

The following Sisters deserve special mention for the help which they rendered: Sister D. A. Laughton, (Sister in Charge), Sister M. Pickburn and Sister M. Lambert. Miss Laughton’s conduct was specially noticeable; she was herself knocked down by the blast of a bursting bomb, and yet is was mainly by her calm but firm manner that order was restored and the treatment of the injured was begun so rapidly. For her action that night she was rewarded with the Military Medal.

Sue

I just hadn't got there yet!

Thought you'd drop in Sue, being the expert and all that...

I'm sure you can give us the details of the exploits of most of these brave ladies.

Steve.

I find it really extraordinary that, in the rank- and class-conscious world of 14-18, a decoration specifically for Other Ranks was awarded to nurses who were clearly 'officer equivalent'.

By contrast, awards such as MBE OBE CBE were always 'streamed' by rank AND BY EQUIVALENT RANK. Thus, a Civil Servant's gong was determined by his grade.

They still are, but tend to be out of whack - for 'Gulf War 1' in 1991 a branch chief in my Ministry (ranking as a senior Colonel/almost Brigadier) got an OBE when RAF Group Captains were getting CBEs.

I do not intend to enter into debates over 'safe behind a desk' !!

Unfortunately not! I actually research the services and not the individuals, although I go through a lot of nurses' files while I'm doing it. So along the way I do look at some MM winners, but I don't seek them out. And the files have been so well weeded that many of them have very little information about the awards - often none at all.

A while ago I looked at the file of Harriet Fraser [later Harriet Barry], who was awarded the Albert Medal for her actions at 36 Casualty Clearing Station in October 1918. An internet search will immediately turn up lots of information, but her file made no reference to it at all. Now the Territorial Force Nursing Service guarded the nurses service badges like the Crown Jewels - this is the nurses' equivalent of the soldiers cap badge, and if they lost their badges they had to pay 2/9d for another one! Anyway, Harriet Fraser must have lost her badge during the incident, and later wrote a very apologetic letter to the matron-in-chief:

Dear Madam
I regret to say that during a fire which took place at 36 C.C.S. B.E.F. last October my T.F.N.S. badge was burned. I should be very much obliged if you would supply me with another one

I am, Yours obediently, Harriet E. Fraser

And the reply from the War Office:

‘under the circumstances it will not be necessary for you to pay for a new T.F.N.S. badge…’

The only reference in the file!

Sue

Julia Ashbourne (Daisy) Herbert M.M. 26/11/1917 mentioned by Steve above.

There is a file on her in King's College Archives.

Born 26th March 1881.

Trained to be a nurse at King's College Hospital

Joined TFNS in 1912.

Employed at Royal Free Hosp[ital Gray's Inn.

Joined her TFND unit at the outbreak of war - 4th Northern General Hosp. Lincoln until March 1917.

Volunteered for service in the field - No 35 gen. Hosp. Calais
Mar. 1917 - Aug. 1918 No 1 Cas. Clear. near Arras & Mons.

Mentioned in despatches 7th Nov. 1917 & awarded M.M. after being wounded in the head by an aerial bomb.

3 blue service chevrons, BWM 14-19 & Vic. Medal with Oak Leaf.

Later joined the Soc. of St. Margaret, E. Grinstead - a C. of E. religious community where she was known as Sister Julian.

Her file contains 20 letters, dance card for PPCLI soiree dansante Mons 5th Dec. 1918, and a black & white photo of Herbert in Nursing uniform.

Quite a lot of information coming from a google search on 4th Northern General Hosp. Lincoln.

Kate

Just complete some research on a nursing sister who was awarded the MM, I do not think she has been mentioned yet.

Ethel Francis Watkins QAIMNS®
"For gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy air raid which lasted for four hours. Sister Watkins behaved with th utmost coolness. When wounded by a piece of shrapnel she made light of her injury and set a magnificent example to those who were with her". Gazette 19 October 1918

Ethel had first served overseas on the 6 October 1914 with the No5 Paris Unit of the Red Cross before transferring to the QAIMNS in April 1915.

Does anyone know how many 1914 Stars were issued to Nurses?, few of them must also have been awarded the MM.

Clive

The Military Medal to Women.

1914-18
127 to British and Commonwealth
11 to other nationalities not published in the London Gazette

1939-45 - 6 all to WAAF

Post 1945 - 2 both to WRAC.

I published a complete listing of all the 1914-18 awards in the Journal of the Orders & Medals Research Society in 1984.

Norman

30000 so far! I cant quite find the right word to describe the devotion to such a cause! Im pulling my hair out looking for 1 DSM. Good luck for the other 70 odd thousand.Gareth

thanks Norman, I cant find a reference to how many 1914 Stars were awarded to Women anywhere, have now located the service records for Ethel and will collect them from Kew Tuesday, looking forward to seeing what is in them
thanks once more, Clive

Hello Clive , what fun .....

Some figures for British awards to the QAIMNS only. (1914-18)

RRC .. 138

RRC & CLASP.. 39 The Bar came later what is the difference between the two i know not.

MM .. 8

The MM was recommended by an individual soldiers C.O, in the case of Q.A.I.M.N.S the MM had to be recommended by the Army council and approved by the King. so a very rare award to the above.

By the end of 1914 2.223 Nurse had enroled in the QAIMNS,

Blue flag flying old chum
Tom.......

Hi Steve, ok got to ask how on earth can you sort the MM in the LG? are you doing it online. I was thinking of doing the same for the DSM theres only 4000 of these and it took me half an hour to find a hundred and got bored so went for a drink. Your either
1) very clever
2) patient
3) mad
or all 3
all I can say is good luck to get anywhere near 100 000
best wishes Gareth

All of the above!

Except for the first one... especially if you ask my boss!

First- Search for Military Medal. Strangely enough it picks out nearly all of the issues with MMs in.

Second - Spreadsheet, muti-tabs. Copy and paste. Acrobat Reader 7.0, allows me to pick most of them out ok.

Third - The difficult bit. A combination of commands: LEN(), RIGHT(), LEFT(), CONCATENATE() allows me to split out the component parts of the entry - Number, rank, initials, surname, battalion, regiment, location.

Fourth - Sort by Regiment.

Easy, huh?

Except for the Gazette search converting Rs to either Es or Bs.

And some of the pages looking like they've got measles!

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType=


T560228 Spr. F. J. • Hatley, R.E:' (=Ke;n:tish
•'.Town):'" .':;; ! "„ •'•"- •" ' '', " ' '* *'"'*v
'B9fif29-3\6pl, T. "E. Hatib,LQnd..:R.-(S<Suthend).
•2Q45a-;Pte,;:A1'. H
*f fMeineririghani)'."
Spr... .(A../(
' ' '
R. . Hawke, .R.-E,
:5iq3^Pte..J. % Hawken, R.A.M-C. :(Pim-
45812. P£e. E,. Q. Haw.kes, Yse,o* (Bermpnd-:

Which of course is:

560228 Spr. F. J. Hatley, R.E. (Kentish Town)
590293 Cpl. T. E. Hatt, Lond. R. (Southend).
20458 Pte. A. Hawbrook, N. & Derby. R. (Metheringham)
266872 Spr. (A./Cpl.) R. Hawke, R.E. (Truro)
510220 Pte. J. Hawken, R.A.M.C. (Pimlico)
45812 Pte. E. C. Hawkes, Yeo. (Bermondsey)


This is the worst page I've seen.... Sort that one out!

And we wonder why we can't find stuff in the Gazette.

Steve.

Yep its number 1) clever. Im used to MACs so favnt a clue on my home PC but Ill try to figure it out thanks . PS Ive only got 1 MM and I managed to find his gazette. mentions are also fun to search arnt they. I had 1 with the certificate in front of me and still took ages to find it. Others Ive got I think were self awarded as they are neither in the LG or Nat. Archives. A common problem Im led to beleive.
Anyway have fun but do stop for the odd beer. best wishes
Gareth

Just reading an article on Catherine Murray Roy. C.B.E., R.R.C., M.M. The Matron-in-Chief, Q.A.I.M.N.S., died at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, on 14th August 1976. Appointed on 3rd August 1909, she was Matron-in-Chief from 1938-1940.
Together with six other members of the Nursing Service, she was awarded the M.M. "for conspicuous gallantry displayed in the performance og her duties on the occasion of hostile raids on Casualty Clearing Stations in the Field" in the L.G. 17 October 1917. She was mentioned in despatches (L.G. 29 May 1917), awarded the R.R.C. (L.G. 1 January 1919), and received the C.B.E. in 1940. She was also the holder of the French Medaille Militaire des Epidemies.

Andy

HB DCM's saying that there was an article in the OMRS Journal got me digging out a few old ones, the roll appears in a 1984 Journal and mentions 135 MM's awarded to women totally for WW1, including some awarded to French and American Nurses.

Andy

Andy

I haven't seen the article mentioned, but have compiled a database of all British and Commonwealth MMs to women, with citations for all except two, and photographs of many of them. I've also recently looked at documents at the NA about the decision to award the MM to women, which are extremely enlightening - not least because it initially stemmed from the actions of Emilienne Moreau at Loos in September 1915 - so we have to thank the French, not the British

Sue

Sue,
Do you want the article scanned and sent over to you?? Also digging through a few of the OMRS Journals there are a fair few pictures of nurses with MM ribbons on their uniform
Eleanor Jean Thompson
Mary Agnes Crawford Blair
Mary Jane Derrer
Edith Hounslow
Margaret Heudebourck Ballance
Mabel Adeline Chittock
Molly McGinnis
Catherine Warner
Mary Stubbs

Articles I have located are the Roll of Women (127 and 8 Honorary)
Miss Mary Stubbs with pictures of the medals and her wedding to Captain John Harvie and Honours and Awards to Staff of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Hospital 1915-1919.

Andy

Mabel Adeline Chittock

Andy

I think I've probably got the same photos of them all except Molly McGinnis - I don't seem to have her, so would be grateful for that one. The image of Mabel Chittock that you've posted is the same as mine, so probably the rest are the 'official' ones.

I'd be particularly interested to confirm the names of the 'honoraries' particularly if Miss Delobel is one of them [please tell me Miss Delobel is one of them!] , and also Miss Stubbs wedding.

I'll send an email address off-list

Regards
Sue

Hi Sue,
I am sorry to say that Miss Delobel is not among the Honorary ones listed.
The ones listed for Honorary M.M.'s are:-
De Canisy
Dhellin
Dubar
Lesne
MacDonald
Parmalee
Verbruggche
Wambregue

Andy

That's really interesting, as Emilienne Moreau is not in the list either, and she definitely was awarded one - the first one in fact, so those on the list are, perhaps, 'honorary' is the strictest sense. But in that case there are some such as Miss Moreau missing from the list. Miss Delobel is mentioned by the King in private correspondence as having committed some act of bravery 'early in the war' and I tend to feel that she was probably Belgian rather than French, and her actions took place during the very early days - but that's just conjecture.

Does anyone else have details of Miss Delobel and her act of bravery?

Sue

Sue,
I will scan these articles and the list and get it sent off to you for your perusal.

Andy

Sue,
There is a further note on one of the articles mentioning Moreau

MOREAU, Mademoiselle Emilienne. Presented at The British Embassy, Paris, on 28 July 1916.

A letter to Sir Edward Grey from The British Embassy in Paris which states, inter alia:-
I have the honour to inform you that this morning in the presence of the Staff of His Majesty's Embassy, I handed to Mademoiselle Emilienne Moreau, the "heroine of Loos", the Military Medal and the Medal of the Order of Jerusalem.

Andy

Sue,
All sent, enjoy the reading.

Andy

Many thanks to Andy who has just earned the 'devotion to scanning' award, for sending all those sheets. And not forgetting Norman [Royal Red Cross] who wrote the original article in the Journal of the Orders and Medals Research Society, and which I've now been able to read, with an especially clear explanation of why it had to be an MM and not a DCM or MC.

Sue

Recently come to this thread. And recently rescued a book from ebay called "Red Herrings of 1918" by R. J. Pennell, M.M. (formerly Josephine Pennell). No publishing info on this paperback but ISBN 0 58936 242 6.

This from the "blurb" on the back:-
"The Military Medal was awarded to twelve members of the BRCS convoy of St Omer for their services during a night air raid on the town in May [actually Sunday April 14th 1918, during the Battle of the Lys, hence my interest], when the Germans were pushing the allied armies towards the coast in an effort to separate them. St Omer, a railway junction, was crowded with refugees and British wounded, and was very heavily bombed. The convoy was called out to collect the wounded and dying, to carry them to the nearest hospitals through the blacked out town.
Later General Prumer [sic], Second Army, decorated twelve of them with the ribbon of the MM then "in the field" [3rd July] and they later received their medals from H.M. King George V at Buckingham Place"

The citation quoted in the book reads:-
"The King has approved the award of the Military Medal to the undermentioned ladies for distinguished service in the field. In each case the acts of bravery were performed during enemy air-raids on hospitals.
Miss Thompson, Miss E. Courtis, Miss Richardson, Miss O'Connel-Bianconi, Miss E. Dickinson, Miss Callender all F.A.N.Y. All these ladies were out with their cars during the raid, picking up and in every way assisting the wounded and injured. They showed great bravery and coolness, and were an example to all ranks.
Miss Fabling, Miss W. Elwes, Miss J Pennell, Miss M. Davidson, all V.A.D. All these ladies were out with their cars during the raid, picking up and in every way assisting the wounded and injured. They showed great bravery and coolness, and were an example to all ranks. They also carried to safety and helped in every way French civilians."

Only eleven names in the citation in the book I'm afraid. A brief skim revealed no mentioned of being told of the award prior to the presentation. There's a good description of events at St Omer. The citation entry does say "A special supplement of the London Gazette was issued last night" - presumably 2nd July 1918

London Gazette 30-7-1918

Miss Muriel Thompson, F.A.N.Y.
Miss Winifred Millicent Elwes, F.A.N.Y.
Miss Elsie Agnes Courtis, F.A.N.Y.
Miss Mary Richardson, F.A.N.Y.
Miss Mollie O'Connell-Bianconi, F.A.N.Y.
Miss Hilda May Dickinson, F.A.N.Y.
Miss Elizabeth Beveridge Callander, F.A.N.Y.

For conspicuous devotion to duty during an hostile air raid. All these lady drivers were out with their cars during the raid, picking up and in every way assisting the wounded and injured. They showed great bravery and coolness, and were an example to all ranks.


Miss Katherine Fabling.
Miss Stella Dickson.
Miss Josephine Pennell.
Miss Margaret Davidson, B.R.C.S.
(V.A.D.).

For conspicuous devotion to duty during an hostile air raid. All these lady drivers were out with their cars during the raid, picking up and in every way assisting the wounded and injured, and showed great bravery and coolness, and were an example to all ranks.

They also carried to safety and helped in every way many French civilians.


Link to Gazette Page:

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType=


There is a difference in the 2nd list between "Miss ElweS" and "Miss Dickson". Counting Misses Dickson and Elwes as two that could be 12.


Or:

The "twelfth lady" may be:

Commandant Winifred Eleanor Sarah Mount Batten, B.R.C.S.

For gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy air raid. She superintended the work of the convoy, drove an ambulance car herself during the raid, and by her coolness and disregard for her own safety ensured the prompt removal of tte wounded to hospital.


Steve.

Can you recall why it had to be the MM? Phil B

We also have them to thank, in a round about way, for the VC. Can't let these foreigners be ahead of us in having rewards what what?

I really hope so Phil, as it was only an hour ago that I read it
I'm not sure whether it's good form to publish Norman's article here - I'm sure it would be a great benefit for everyone to read it, but I'll leave it for him to do that if he thinks suitable. But in the main it revolves around insensitivity to existing holders [male] of other awards, and the status of women as civilians at that time.

Having read through a lot of the correspondence myself recently between the King and others relating to the award to women, it seems clear that at that time it was seen as an award to 'female civilians' first and foremost, as a way of rewarding the actions of women such as Emilienne Moreau, in a situation where the Royal Red Cross was no longer thought to be the right award for gallantry. In these papers there seems to be no thought that nurses or members of other medical services were particularly likely to be recipients, and there is considerable soul searching over whether male civilians should be similarly decorated.

At that time [almost] all women were civilians - I use the 'almost' as there has been recent discussion on another mailing list as to the status of the 8 Canadian recipients of the award. But in early/mid 1916 it seems that French and Belgian civilians were those thought to be the most likely recipients of the award, and the MM to be right for the occasion.

Sue

Two others awarded in 1916 were to Elsie Knocker (aka Baroness Elizabeth de T'Serclaes) and Mairi Chisholm, the 'Women of Pervyse'. Mrs Knocker was a trained nurse but Mairi Chisholm was not, although auxiliary nursing - along with ambulance driving, retrieving wounded men, and general care and welfare work - was the reason for her award.

Lady Dorothie Feilding wasn't a nurse either - at least not a formally trained nurse, although she too did nursing work when required. She was primarily an ambulance driver. Am I right in thinking that she was the first woman awarded the MM? I have a copy of a letter dated Windsor Castle, 19 August 1916, from Lord Stamfordham to Lieutenant-General Sir Francis Davies, Military Secretary, which reads:

Dear Davies,

I have spoken to the King and His Majesty quite agrees with you that Lady Dorothie Feilding ought to receive the Military Medal and not the Royal Red Cross.

Yours very truly
Stamfordham


regards
Mick

Just a quick question. I have the list of the eight Canadian recipients of the MM, but an earlier entry on this thread lists A/Sister Marie Dow Lutwick,QAIMNS ® Can. I am aware of the meaning of the initials including the ® indicating Reserve, but the entry "Can" after the other initials has me wondering if Lutwick was Canadian. I have often seen that entry. Can anyone clarify this? Many Canadian nurses served not in the CAMC but in various British organizations, and many others served with the US Army.

Terry

I've always understood that Marie Lutwick was a Canadian serving with the British nursing service, but I haven't got any evidence to back that up. She has a file at the National Archives, and I'll have a look at it next time I'm there.

Mick

The first MM was awarded to Emilienne Moreau - on 28th July 1916. Dorothy Feilding's was an odd one, as it was not given for a single act of gallant/brave conduct, but as a reward for a prolonged period of 'service.'
The citation reads [and any spelling errors are not mine!]:

Lady Dorithie Fielding as a member of the Monro Motor Ambulance Corps, attached to the Belgian Army, served with the Naval Siege Guns, and attended to the wounded on every occasion of firing from February 1915 to March, 1916. She has always displayed great coolness under fire, courage and devotion to duty, and an utter contempt of danger, which has been a source of admiration to all.

I don't want to diminish her actions in any way, but do wonder if her title/status had any bearing on her award.

Sue

How nice after my return from 3 weeks in the Middle East to see you all quoting me and offering copies of my article in the OMRS Journal. What fame !!

Marie Dow Lutwick was born at Alma, New Brunswick, Canada. Nevertheless, she decided to serve with the QA Reserve.

The question of the MM for nurses was basically to do with the fact that women had been specifically made eligible for the MM by an alteration in it's warrant. They were not eligible for other awards such as the MC.

Even before the first awards of the MM to men were published, Ponsonby was writing to Brade at the War Office

"The King is thinking of adding a paragraph to the Warrant whereby women could be eligible for this medal. There have been one or two isolated cases of bravery by French and Belgian women and Lord Balfour has now brought forward the case of Mlle. Moreau who has been awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French."

On 8th May, a further letter to Brade states

"His Majesty, however, has quite decided that it would be best to add a clause to the Warrant entitling women to the MM. The King says we shall have to women rewards for bravery and at present we have absolutely nothing to give. Will you therefore do as I asked and have a clause added to this effect to the Warrant instituting the MM. "

I have some detail on all the MMs awarded to women in the 1st and 2nd World Wars.

Norman

Norman,
A good article to quote from, very informative indeed. Had to dig through my OMRS journals a long time to find it but very worthwhile.

Andy

Hi folks,

I was chatting to my manager earlier about family history etc, and she told me that her great-aunt, Annie Weir won the Military Medal in WW1. I managed to find her in the Gazette of 18/12/1917, but I also came across a Miss Annie Weir in the gazette of 1/1/1919 as being awarded the Royal Red Cross 2nd Class. This second award was to the TFNS, the MM being to the BRCS (VAD). Can anyone tell me if this is the same Annie Weir? I'm also looking for her MIC and have found four that could match, although I'm not sure which one would be hers.
After reading this thread, and that there were only 120 or so of these medals given to women, how much would they be worth today? My manager is afraid to find out, as her aunt managed to 'lose' all her medals at some point. If anyone can shed some light on this it would be much appreciated. I think my boss is going to bring in some newspaper clippings she has which I will share with you when I get them.

Thanks in advance,

Barrie

Annie McKenzie WEIR was a member of the Lanarkshire No. 24 detachment of the BRCS, so she was a VAD. Her MM was for bravery at No. 58 General Hospital, at St. Omer on 30 September 1917 during a raid by enemy aircraft.
She served first in the UK at 1st Scotish General Hospital, Aberdeen and then in France from 14 June 1917 to 21 March 1919.
She was mentioned in the despatch of FM Sir Douglas Haig dated 7 November 1917 published in the London Gazette of 24 december 1917 and was also awarded the BRCS Special Service Cross.

Norman