Six: Sergeant Mollie Carnegie, Auxiliary Territorial Service, who served as Confidential Secretary to the Deputy Head, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force, Mission (Belgium), and was killed climbing Mont Blanc in 1955

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; United States of America, Bronze Star, the reverse hand engraved, ‘Mollie Carnegie’, with riband and lapel bars, in case of issue; Belgium, Kingdom, Military Decoration, 1st Class, on ‘distinguished service’ riband, about extremely fine (lot) £500-£700

Bronze Star London Gazette 8 November 1945. ‘W/166049 Sergeant Mollie Carnegie, Auxiliary Territorial Service’.
The original citation states: ‘Sergeant Mollie Carnegie, Auxiliary Territorial Service, British Army, for meritorious service in connection with military operations from 17 October 1944 to 7 May 1945. As Confidential Secretary to the Deputy Head, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force, Mission (Belgium), Sergeant Carnegie has rendered outstanding service. Her tact, ceaseless efforts and high degree of efficiency have been exemplary. In the performance of these duties, she has contributed to the success of the Supreme Commander’s Mission to Belgium and the defeat of Germany.’

Military Decoration, 2nd Class London Gazette 20 March 1947.

Miss Mollie Carnegie was born in Medina Road, Islington, on 19 March 1912, the daughter of James Alexander and Bessie Maud Carnegie. Serving in the A.T.S., she was the Confidential Secretary to the Deputy Head of SHAEF Mission (Belgium) and was awarded both American and Belgian medals for her services; she is believed to be the only female N.C.O. to be Gazetted with two foreign decorations for services during the Second World War. A note with the lot indicates she was killed in 1955 when climbing Mont Blanc.

Sold with a brooch in the form of a sword, 68mm. long, inscribed, ‘D. Eisenhower’, gilt, pin-backed; ‘St. George’ medal, silver, 47mm., hallmarks for Birmingham 1956, unnamed; prize medal, 31 x 25mm., silver and gold, hallmarks for Birmingham 1923, reverse inscribed, ‘Junior Championship of Islington 1924 won by [blank]’; London Business Houses A.S.A., 26mm., silver and enamel, reverse inscribed, ‘TT. 1953-4 Div. 3 R.U.’; a small Regimental Fob, 21 x 17mm., 18ct. gold, hallmarks for Birmingham 1913, reverse inscribed, ‘1st Co L.R.F. Regimental Club Jewel 1913 won by L. Sergt. J. Carnegie’; Royal Tank Corps lapel badge (2), silver and enamel; another, gilt and enamel; Royal Life Saving Society Medal, bronze, reverse inscribed, ‘F. Carnegie, July 1923’ (gained when attending Tollington Park Central School, London); two silver medallets; silver badge cut from a Dutch coin; miniature dress medals of the Bronze Star and Military Decoration; cap badges (2) A.T.S. and Middlesex Regiment; cloth badges (6) and sundry ribbon; together with copied research.