Orders, Decorations and Medals

The mounted group of nine miniature dress medals attributed to Matron H. G. Palin, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service and Territorial Force Nursing Service, Order of the British Empire, 1st type, Officer (O.B.E.), Civil Division; another, 1st type, Member (M.B.E.), Military Division; Royal Red Cross Decoration, 1st Class (R.R.C.), G.V.R., gilt and enamel; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953, cleaned, re-ribboned and mounted for wear, very fine and better (9) £50-70

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1930.

M.B.E. London Gazette 7 June 1918.

R.R.C. London Gazette 3 June 1915.

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 June 1918.

Helen Grace Palin saw service with the T.F.N.S. aboard the Hospital Ship Asturias in September 1914, ultimately returning to the 2nd London Territorial Force Hospital. From there she transferred to the Q.A.I.M.N.S. In March 1917 the Asturias was torpedoed when it was returning with wounded from Salonika - some 50 nurses were aboard her at the time. Palin’s O.B.E. was awarded in respect of her services as a Principal Matron in the Ministry of Pensions Nursing Service. In November 1945 she was awarded the Order of St. John.