Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘1944’ A.R.R.C. group of four awarded to Matron G. P. Taylor, Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service

Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.VI.R. 1st issue, silver and enamel, reverse dated ‘1944’, on lady’s bow riband, in damaged Garrard & Co. Ltd case of issue; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (Sister G. P. Taylor. P.M.R.A.F.N.S.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, campaign awards mounted on card for display, with Manchester Royal Infirmary Certificated Nurse badge, reverse engraved ‘G. P. Taylor’ and numbered ‘662’, generally very fine or better (lot) £500-£700

A.R.R.C. London Gazette 8 June 1944. The recommendation, which erroneously gives her initials as ‘S. P.’, states:

‘R.A.F. Station Hospital, Wilmslow, Technical Training Command. This senior sister is a loyal and conscientious member of the P.M.R.A.F.N.S. who has competency in R.A.F. hospitals at home and abroad. During the past four months she has done matron’s duties very efficiently and has kept a happy staff.’

Approximately 39 General Service Medals with clasp Palestine awarded to Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service.

Gwendoline Patty Taylor was born in Wrexham in September 1902. She was appointed Staff Nurse in Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service in January 1934, and advanced to Sister in February 1935, seeing service in Palestine. Taylor retired at own request, retaining the rank of Matron, in April 1947. She married Harold Willan in Conwy, Wales, later that year. He husband was employed as a Chief Engineer, and she subsequently frequently travelled with him to and from the Gold Coast. Matron Taylor died on the Isle of Wight in June 1999.

Sold with the following original related documents: Air Ministry letter of congratulations on the occasion of the award of the A.R.R.C., dated 8 June 1944; named Buckingham Palace enclosure for A.R.R.C.; named Air Ministry enclosure for the G.S.M.; general issue Christmas Card from the The Princess Royal, complete with photograph of her majesty in uniform, dated 1939-40, Harewood House, Leeds; and copied research.