Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Palestine nursing group to Principal Matron C. Pyke, O.B.E., R.R.C., Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, O.B.E., Military, 2nd type; ROYAL RED CROSS, 1st Class, G.VI.R., officially dated 1940, enamel damaged on top arm; GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine, M.I.D. (Matron, Q.A.I.M.N.S.); 1939- 45 STAR; WAR MEDAL, the O.B.E. and R.R.C. with official cases of issue, generally very fine (5)

Cecilia Pyke joined Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service in September, 1920 and was appointed Sister in July, 1926. She served with distinction in the Palestine Campaign, 1936-39, where she was Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette, 15 September, 1939. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross in July, 1940 and the O.B.E. in December, 1941. In the following year she was promoted to Principal Matron and finally retired in April, 1946.