Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce ‘B.E.F.’ campaign group of four awarded to Nursing Sister, later Principal Matron, M. E. MaClean [A.R.R.C.], Queen Alexandra’s Military Nursing Service for India, who was awarded the A.R.R.C. and M.I.D. for her services in the Mesopotamian theatre of war in 1918

1914 Star (Nursing Sister. M. E. MaClean, Q.A.M.N.S.T [sic]); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaves (Nursing Sister M. E. MaClean.) rank of VM partially officially corrected; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1919-21 (N. S. Matron. M. E. MaClean, Q.A.M.N.S.I.); with Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Badge, silver, mounted as originally worn, generally very fine (4) £600-£800

A.R.R.C. London Gazette 26 August 1918 (Mesopotamia)

M.I.D. London Gazette 27 August 1918 (Mesopotamia).

Minnie Edna MaClean was one of 17 Sisters of Q.A.M.N.S. for India mobilised in India for service with the B.E.F. in France. They were attached to three of the following Medical Units: Rawal Pindi British General Hospital; Lahore British General Hospital and the Meerut British General Hospital. Nursing Sister MaClean served in the French theatre of war with the Rawal Pindi British General Hospital under the command of Lady Superintendent P. F. Watt. In May 1915, the Lahore British General Hospital opened at Calais, with 520 beds. Miss Knapp was appointed as Matron, and Sisters MaClean and Wardell as two of her staff. Sister MaClean subsequently moved with the Q.A.M.N.S.I. for service in the Mesopotamian theatre of war, returned to India for further service, and advanced to Principal Matron in September 1930. She retired three years later.