Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The mounted group of four miniature dress medals worn by Nursing Sister J. E. Girvan (née Sword), Canadian Army Medical Corps, wife of Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. Girvan, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., V.D., Commanding the 15th (48th Highlanders of Canada) Battalion Canadian Infantry

Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, mounted as worn, together with an unidentified miniature (nursing cape badge?) silver-gilt and enamelled badge, GR cypher, with motto ‘Ducit Amor Patriæ’, the reverse stamped ‘Wanless Sterling’, mounted on brooch pin, good very fine (5) £60-£80

A.R.R.C. London Gazette 21 June 1918: ‘Miss Jean Elizabeth Sword, Nursing Sister, Can. Nursing Service, No. 12 Can. Gen. Hospl., Bramshott, Hants.’

On 24 October 1916, Nursing Sister Jean Elizabeth Sword returned to England from No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, Le Treport, France. On 3 November 1916, she was posted to Canada, where, during the following three months it is presumed she and Major John P. Girvan came to know one another. Jean returned to England, before John, on 2 February 1917.

Nursing Sister Sword had acted as a blood donor on 22 April 1918, but due to general weakness and an irregular heartbeat, she was hospitalised following the transfusion until 26 April, and then granted sick furlough until 6 May 1918. She married Major John P. Girvan, M.C., 15th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, in London on 6 July 1918, whilst he was attending a Command Officers Course at Aldershot and shortly before he returned to France to take command of his battalion, going on to win the D.S.O. and Bar.

Sold with copied research including Marriage Certificate dated 6 July 1918; Buckingham Palace Telegram and War Office letter concerning award of the Royal red Cross; two photographs of Nursing Sister Sword in nursing uniform, one with R.R.C. medal ribbon; a news cutting announcing the death of their elder son, John Maybin Girvan, late Captain and Adjutant, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, who jumped into Normandy before the landings, was wounded and taken prisoner, continued his profession as a mining engineer after the war until killed instantly by a falling rock at El Aguilar, Argentina, where he was superintendent of a mine; and a letter of condolence from the High Commissioner for Canada, London, upon the death of her husband in 1961.

For the recipient’s husband’s medals and his related miniature awards, see Lots 80 and 551.

For the recipient’s related full sized awards, see Lot 103.