This Royal Red Cross was awarded to Minnie Maud McNab who served as a nurse then Sister in Queen Alexandria's Imperial Military Nursing Staff Reserve, Dr Bird's Unit during WWI. "Appointed to QAIMNSR 22 January 1915 Arrived in Egypt 22 January 1915 Embarked Bombay 18 April 1917 Disembarked Basrah 26 April 1917 Posted No 3 British General Hospital 26 April 1917 Admitted to hospital 03 May 1917 Discharged 07 May 1917 Joined for duty at Bagdad 23 May 1917 Appointed Assistant Matron to 31 BSH at Basrah 01 December 1917 Mentioned in Lieut General Sir F S Mande's despatch dated 02 November 1917 London Gazette No 30570 Joined for temporary duty Baghdad 24 May 1918 Admitted OCD 29 July 1918 Discharged 17 August 1918 and returned to Duty Left unit to proceed on leave to India 24 August 1918 Proceeded to India on leave per 'Kina' 01 September 1918 Returned from Leave 31 October 1918 Rejoined unit from leave Baghdad 10 November 1918 Awarded Royal Red Cross 1st Class in recognition of valuable services with the British Forces in Mesopotamia 26 August 1918 (Gazette No 30865) Mentioned in despatches by Lt. General W R Marshall in his despatch dated 15 April 1918 (Gazette No 30867) Admitted to Hospital 11 January 1919 Discharged from Hospital 10 February 1919 31 B S Hospital 'Sister Minnie Maud McNab QAIMNS Reserve has served under me for eighteen months as Sister and Assistant Matron, the duties of the latter she performed to my entire satisfaction. I consider her a thoroughly well trained Nurse, most kind and attentive to the patients, she is energetic, reliable, punctual, tactful and good tempered. Her powers of administration and initiative are excellent and she has great ability in instructing the orderlies. I recommend her for further service if required, promotion and for full gratuity.' Transferred to UK for duty 21 February 1919 Embarked 'Vasna' 21 February 1919 or UK Appointment terminated 21 July 1919 Departed from her unit 21 July 1919 After taking a holiday in Scotland asked for temporary duty if her passage home was not available. Posted to Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich 08 September 1919 Postal address whilst awaiting repatriation Berrington War Hospital, Shrewbury Returning to Australia per 'Northumberland' trans-shipped at Bombay ex 'Macedonia' embarked England 01 November 1919" (https://ausww1nurses.weebly.com/mca-mcn.html) "The Royal Red Cross is a military decoration awarded in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for exceptional services in military nursing. It was established on 27 April 1883 by Queen Victoria... The Royal Red Cross was originally a single class of Member and it was first awarded to the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. A second class, Associate, was added during World War I in 1917. The award is awarded to a fully trained nurse of an officially recognized nursing service, military or civilian, who has shown exceptional devotion and competence in the performance of nursing duties, over a continuous and long period, or who has performed an exceptional act of bravery and devotion at her or his post of duty. The decoration was conferred exclusively to women until 1976. Recipients of the Royal Red Cross are entitled to use the post-nominal letters “RRC” or “ARRC” for Members and Associates respectively." [https://collectionswa.net.au/items/25f38e85-6c15-429f-95b6-0a24c241e199] A thin, black, textured leather coated box with gold lettering 'R R C' in the centre and '1st' in the bottom left corner. Has a white sticker attached to the top right hand corner with red handwritten 'M47'. The box has a small metal button on bottom section that when pushed opens the box. The leather is damaged and fraying around the edges and corners of the box and there are various scratch marks that have removed the black paint/dye from the leather in places. Inside, the box lid is lined with padded fabric (likely silk or satin), has the manufacturer details printed at the centre of lid. There is a small blue ink mark on the fabric in the top left of the inside of the lid and minor holes and wear in the upper portion of the lid. The bottom part of the box is a mount covered in blue velvet. The mount and velvet have a depression in the shape of the main Royal Red Cross (RRC) medal and ribbon. The velvet is dusty and has some fibres in the creases and across the whole area. "The badge for the RRC is in the shape of a golden cross, 1.375 inches (3.49 cm) wide, the obverse enamelled red, with a circular medallion, bearing an effigy of the reigning monarch at its centre. The words "Faith", "Hope" and "Charity" are inscribed on the upper limbs of the cross, with the year "1883" in the lower limb. The reverse is plain except a circular medallion bearing the royal cypher of the reigning monarch" [Wikipedia - see References], on this medal the initials are GRJ. The ribbon is a dark blue stripe between crimson edge stripes and forms a landscape oriented bow that the medal hangs from the middle. This box also contains a miniature medal, bearing the same description as above being of [approximately quarter size]. There is a white sticker on the underside of the box that has handwritten in black ink 'RNC / J McCarthy' 'M47' [red ink on white sticker attached to top of box] 'RNC / J McCarthy' [black ink on white sticker attached to underneath of box] 'M.M.McNAB / 1914-1919' [Engraved on bottom of the lower part of the full sized medal's cross]minnie maud mcnab, wwi, ww1, world war one, royal red cross 1st class, royal red cross, queen alexandra's imperial military nursing service reserve

Edith Cornwell was born in 1868; she completed her nursing training at the Alfred Hospital in 1896. After this she worked at several different hospitals, including qualifying as a midwife, and the role of matron at Hay, Wagga Wagga, and the Women's Hospital, Melbourne. In 1902 Edith had joined the Australian Army Nursing Service as a reserve. At the outbreak of war in 1914 Edith formally enlisted and served overseas twice. in Egypt (1915-1916) as Matron of the No2 Australian General Hospital (AGH) at Heliopolis. Returning to Australia Edith became Matron of No 5 Base Hospital, Melbourne. In February 1917 Edith was awarded the Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class. In 1918, she worked as Matron at AGHs in France and England. In 1919 Edith was awarded the Royal Red Cross, 1st Class. After the war Edith was active in the formation of the Returned Nurses Club.After leaving the army in 1922 Edith joined Victoria's Neglected Children Department as Matron of their Receiving House. Edith retired in 1932, in 1933 she was awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal. In 1937 Edith was chosen to represent Australian nurses at the coronation of King George V.Biography of a significant graduate of the Alfred Hospital School of NursingComb-bound book with clear plastic front cover and white cardboard back cover. Title page visible through clear plastic: - coloured photograph of Edith Corwell wearing the World War I uniform of matron in the Australian Army Nursing Service. Title printed above and below this photo. White comb binding visible at left. Previous catalogue number handwritten on small white sticker at top right of front cover. On page after title page is a handwritten dedication 'Presented to the Archives of the Alfred Hospital/ Alison Cornwell/ Elaine White (nee Cornwell)/ June 1993, Melbourneedith cornwell, alfred hospital, world war 1914-1918, australian army nursing service

Copy of the certificate Diplôme de la Médaille Florence Nightingale (Florence Nightingale Medal Diploma) given to Edith Cornwell with her medal in Geneva in 1933. Already a recipient of the Royal Red Cross 2nd class and 1st class, this medal is the highest international distinction a nurse can receive. It is given by the International Committee of the Red Cross.A large board mounted copy of a certificate that has black print artwork of a woman holding a man on her lap in a landscape that has broken wood, ground and a half sunken ship present. The middle of the certificate has a red cross in a white circle and the top half has text bordered with thorns and foliage.wwi, ww1, world war one, australian army nursing service, aans, edith cornwell, florence nightingale medal, royal red cross

These medals were awarded to Patricia Catherine Vines of the Australian Navy and Royal Australian Navy Nursing Service (RANNS). Extracts from Sea Power Centre website (listed in references): "Patricia Catherine Vines was born in Fairfield, Melbourne on 5 September 1925. Educated at the Catholic Ladies College, East Melbourne, on completion of her Intermediate Certificate, Vines undertook secretarial training before working at the Department of Aircraft Productions and then the Gun Turret Factory at Fairfield where she was still working when World War II ended in 1945. It was while she was working in the X-Ray Department at St Vincent’s Hospital that she decided to become a nurse, beginning her training in December 1948 and becoming a Registered Nurse in 1952, and a qualified midwife two years later. In 1959, in search of something different, Vines applied for a civilian nursing role at HMAS Cerberus, Flinders Naval Depot where she was employed until leaving to travel to New Zealand, Canada and the United States in 1962." "Commander Vines was presented with a Royal Red Cross in early 1972. The medal, presented by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe, was awarded for ‘exceptional competence and devotion to duty’. Also awarded were Sergeant Leslie Bending of the Naval Police (left) who received the British Empire Medal for dedicated service, and Lieutenant Commander Winston James (right) who received the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of outstanding leadership and bravery while serving as commander of the RAN Helicopter Flight in Vietnam. During that time (1971-1980) she was also appointed an Honorary Nursing Sister to Queen Elizabeth II. In 1972 Patricia was awarded a Royal Red Cross (RRC) 2nd Class in the New Year Honours List and in January 1981 this was upgraded to a Royal Red Cross 1st class. The awards officially recognised her exceptional devotion and competency in performance of nursing duties in the RAN." "Following a 16-year career in the Navy and having reached retirement age, Patricia Vines retired from the RAN in 1980 and ran her own nursing business in Melbourne until 1995. Patricia Catherine Vines passed away in Melbourne on 15 February 2010, aged 85 years." Vines was a consistent paid member of the Returned Nurses Club (Returned Nurses Sub Branch RSL Victoria) from 1989 to her passing.A mounted set of six miniature medals (approximately a quarter of the size of the medals they represent) of various coloured metals with ribbons of many colours. The Royal Red Cross miniature medal is in the "shape of a golden cross... the obverse enamelled red, with a circular medallion, bearing an effigy of the reigning monarch [Queen Elizabeth II] at its centre. The words "Faith", "Hope" and "Charity" are inscribed on the upper limbs of the cross, with the year "1883" in the lower limb. The reverse is plain except a circular medallion bearing the royal cypher of the reigning monarch" [Wikipedia - see References], on this miniature medal the initials are ER. The ribbon is a dark blue stripe between crimson edge stripes and forms a landscape oriented bow that the medal hangs from the middle. The Australian Service Medal 1945-75 is "nickel-silver with the Australian Coat of Arms surrounded by the words The Australian Service Medal 1945-1975 on the obverse. The reverse has a Federation Star... The ribbon has central stripes of yellow and green, flanked by navy blue, khaki and light blue stripes from the Australia Service Medal 1939-45. A nickel-silver clasp with the name of the theatre or action for which the award is made is presented with the medal." [Australian Government Defence website - see References] This miniature has the PNG clasp and the navy blue stripe has faded to look more purple in colour. The Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 comprises a "silver disc with, on the obverse, the words ELIZABETH II DEI GRA. REGINA FID. DEF. (Latin abbreviation for "Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith") surrounding an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, symbolising her role as fount of honour.[6] On the reverse is a crown atop a wreath that contains the words THE 25th YEAR OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II 6 February 1977 in six lines... The ribbon is white with cardinal red bands along the edges...and a... garter blue stripe down the centre, bisected by another... line of cardinal red" [Wikipedia - see References] The Defence Force Service Medal is a "cupro-nickel circular chamfered medal. The obverse has the Joint Service emblem. The reverse is inscribed For Efficient Service In The Permanent Forces around the circumference. The ribbon has 3 equal stripes of gold and azure-blue edged with azure-blue. The colours were the national colours of Australia at the time of introduction." [Australian Government Defence website - see References] the blue stripes have faded to look more purple in colour. The National Medal is "bronze. The obverse shows the Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia within a rim carrying the inscription The National Medal For Service. The reverse is plain. The ribbon has 15 alternating gold and blue stripes. The colours were the national colours of Australia at the time of introduction." [Australian Government Defence website - see References] Again, blue has faded to purple on the ribbon. The Australian Defence Medal is "cupronickel. The obverse has a stylised version of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms as used on the Australia Service Medal 1939-45. This is surrounded by the inscription The Australian Defence Medal above a sprig of wattle. The reverse has the inscription For Service below the Crown of St Edward surrounded by 2 sprays of wattle leaves and blossom. The ribbon is red with black edges, the colours of the Flanders poppy that represent the Anzac spirit of the Australian armed forces. The white stripes divide the ribbon into 3 to denote the three Services and represent service contributing to the peace of Australia." [Australian Government Defence website - see References] The miniature medals are court-mounted on a rigid backing with a long pin and the backing covered with a full size strip of ribbon in the Royal Red Cross medal colours.royal red cross, royal australian naval nursing service, royal australian navy, ranns, ran, papua new guinea, medals

This collection belonged to Sister Tessa Thomas R.R.M. (Nee Youngman) Sister Thomas was born at Creswick 1882, died Brisbane 1948. She trained at the Alfred Hospital for 3 years from 1909. On the 28th November 1914, as a staff nurse she embarked on the "Shyarra" from Australia and served at the 1st Australian General Hospital, Egypt. February 1917 she was attached to the 2nd Auxiliary Hospital Southhall, one of the hospitals specializing in fitting artificial limbs. 2 June 1916, she was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal 2nd class for her valuable services.WW1 Active Service Return Medal WW1 Return from Overseas Services Chevron, Lapel badge WW1 Royal Irish Rifles badge WW1 Manchester Regiment Fleur de Lis Egyptian Enamel Broach

A French flag that was flown in Rouen, France on Armistice Day in 1918. The note says it was donated to Legacy by Matron H. E. Tait RRC. There are no details how she came to have the flag or why she gave it to Melbourne Legacy. From the AWM Matron HE Tait is Helen Elizabeth Tait, from Maffra who had trained at the Alfred Hospital and joined the Australian Army Nursing Service. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross (2nd Class) for her service in World War One. Her full record is available from the National Archive of Australia. It shows she was serving at the 1st Australian General Hospital in Rouen in November of 1918 when the war ended. RRC is The Royal Red Cross (RRC) which is a military decoration awarded in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for exceptional services in military nursing. After the war she returned to Melbourne and was Matron of Melbourne Grammar School. She never married and died in 1976.The founding Legatees all fought in World War One and momentos like this flag would have been appreciated by them.A French flag from World War One.Note with the flag is typed and says ' French Flag which floated over the Town Hall in Rouen on Armistice Day November 11th 1918. Donated by Matron H. E. Tait, R.R.C.'france, world war one, rouen, nurse, souvenir