Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Household Faithful Service Medal, G.V.R., suspension dated ‘1912-1932’ (Amelia Rawlings) mounted as worn on lady’s bow riband, toned, nearly extremely fine £260-£300

Amelia Rawlings ‘joined the Royal Household as Housekeeper at Windsor Castle on 19 April 1912. Over the years her duties were extended to include responsibility for the Royal Pavilion at Aldershot and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. She retired on 1 November 1939.  Following her retirement Mrs. Rawlings moved, as Caretaker, to Adelaide Cottage in the Home Park, Windsor. In 1940, ill health necessitated her move to Frogmore Cottage where she was visited by both Queen Mary and Sir Owen Morshead, The Librarian, Windsor Castle. Mrs. Rawlings died on 25 March 1944.’ (Royal Archives refers).

For her services Mrs. Rawlings was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal on 1 January 1943, as well as receiving both the 1935 Jubilee and 1937 Coronation Medals. She is mentioned in Counting One’s Blessings: The Collected Letters of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, edited by William Shawcross as ‘a formidable figure who was devoted to Queen Mary, who thought highly of her. In retirement lived in Windsor Home Park.’