Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War ‘Western Front’ A.R.R.C. group of five awarded to Nursing Sister Miss Mary R. Stewart-Richardson, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, who saw extensive service in France at Belgium, serving with the B.E.F. from the Retreat of Mons until the cessation of hostilities 1919

Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver and enamel, on lady’s bow riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue; 1914 Star (Sister M. R. Stewart-Richardson. Q.A.I.M.N.S.R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Sister M. R. Stewart-Richardson); Belgium, Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth Medal, red enamel cross type, for services to wounded or invalided soldiers, bronze; together with the recipient’s Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve Cape Badge, silver, in Carrington, London, case of issue; Great War Ulster Volunteer Force Medical & Nursing Corps badge; a Belgian Liberation Medal on Royal Red Cross riband; and Dundee Royal Infirmary, Ogilvy Dalgleish Medal, For Merit, 39mm, gold (18ct, 31.67g), the reverse engraved ‘Nurse Mary Ramsay Stewart Richardson 1910’, generally good very fine or better (9) £800-£1,200

A.R.R.C. London Gazette 1 January 1918.

M.I.D. London Gazette 17 February 1915.

Queen Elisabeth of Belgium Medal London Gazette 24 October 1919.

Miss Mary Ramsay Stewart-Richardson was born on 1 August 1869, the daughter of Sir James Thomas Stewart-Richardson of Pitfour, 14th Baronet, and Harriett Georgina Alice Cochrane. As a nurse at Dundee Royal Infirmary, she was awarded the prestigious Ogilvy Dalgleish Medal, For Merit in 1910. This gold medal was awarded annually to ‘the most deserving nurse’ at Dundee Royal Infirmary.

Following the outbreak of the Great War, Miss Stewart-Richardson became a member of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service and according to her own statement of service she:
‘Joined No. 6 General Hospital at Chatham, 11 August 1914. Sailed for France, 16 August 1914. After Retreat from Mons No. 6 General Hospital dispersed, night Sister No, 3 C.C.S. Vilerneuve September 1914, Sister in Charge No. 2 Ambulance Train 26 September 1914. Night Superintendent and Ward Sister No. 8 Stationary Hospital April 1915. Sister in Charge North’ C.C.S. Hazebruck December 1915 to November 1916. Invalided home November 1916 to April 1917. Ward Sister and Night Superintendent No. 14 General Hospital April 1917 to January 1918. Trained as Anaesthetist January to March 1918. Served as Anaesthetist in 1st line C.C.S. Nos.1 5, 3, 49, and No. 2 Australian until Armistice. Went to Bruges with special nursing contingent for Belgium troops December 1918 to February 1919. Night Superintendent Nos. 49 and 12 C.C.S until demobilised in March 1919.’

For her services during the Great War, Miss Stewart-Richardson was Mentioned in Despatches in 1915; awarded the Royal Red Cross 2nd Class in 1918; and awarded the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium Medal for her services to wounded soldiers. She was demobilised on 26 March 1919 and died on 23 May 1960 at the age of 90. She had remained unmarried.

Sold with National Archives copies of correspondence regarding her service and record of service.