A Great War ‘Military Division’ M.B.E. group of three awarded to Elizabeth Mildred Shillington, Women’s Legion

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type lady’s shoulder badge, silver, hallmarks for 1919, unnamed, mounted ‘bow and tails’; British War and Victory Medals (E. M. Shillington); with three miniature dress medals; an American Committee Medal for the Devastated Regions of France 1916-23, silver, unnamed; and a Medal ‘Reconnaissance de l’Aisne Devastée 1917-23’, 49mm., dia. bronze, inscribed, ‘á Shillington E.M. membre du C.A.R.D.’, nearly extremely fine (8) £400-500

M.B.E. London Gazette 5 June 1919. ‘Shillington, Miss Elizabeth Mildred, Women’s Legion’.

Elizabeth Mildred Shillington was born on 2 January 1881 at Glenmachan Tower, Ballymachan, Belfast, to John Johnson and Annie Shillington. John Johnson Shillington was a Magistrate and founding member of the Ulster Defence Union. In the Great War, Elizabeth Shillington joined the French Red Cross and entered France in December 1914 and worked in the motorised kitchens providing food and help. At some stage she became involved with the Women’s Legion - a body set up in July 1915 by the Marchioness of Londonderry. The Legion became involved in many forms of voluntary work, including cooking and catering for the army stationed in England. For her services to this body, she was later awarded the M.B.E. It is believed only 11 M.B.E’s. were issued to members of the Women’s Legion. Elizabeth Shillington died in Hampshire on 27 March 1930.

With copied gazette extract and service details. For her brother’s medals see lot 825.