Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Order of St. John insignia bestowed upon Mrs. Glenys M. Duke, Commissioner of the Order of St. John, Hampshire

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Dame of Grace’s set of insignia, comprising shoulder badge, 42mm, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles, on lady’s bow riband, enamel damage to two arms of cross; Star, 68mm, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles, unmarked, in fitted case of issue; together with the recipient’s Commander’s neck badge, 40mm, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles, on neck riband; Officer’s shoulder badge, 29mm, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles, on lady’s bow riband; and a miniature badge of the Order, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles, on lady’s bow riband, generally nearly extremely fine (5) £180-£220

Glenys Mary Duke joined the Hampshire Branch of the Order of St. John in 1977 when she moved to the county following her husband’s appointment as the County’s Chief Constable, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of St. John in 1983 (London Gazette 11 January 1983), and advanced to Commander five years later (London Gazette 11 July 1988). She served for a while as Commissioner of the County Branch, and was described by her successor as Commissioner as a ‘very hands-on Commissioner, extremely well respected by the membership. Despite her position, she could always be seen with a teapot in hand providing refreshments at just about every St. John event. A great support to her husband in his official capacity as Chief Constable, she was frequently at official events across Hampshire, but was always her own person, determined to make a difference for the community. Her promotion to Dame of the Order (London Gazette 20 January 1999) was well deserved.’