Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Captain Irene T. Friend, Women’s Royal Army Corps, who dedicated almost 25 years of service to the education of Army and Nursing personnel

Defence Medal; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (W/353811 W.O.Cl.2. I. T. Friend. W.R.A.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (Capt. I. T. Friend. WRAC.) good very fine (3) £120-£160

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Norman Gooding Collection.

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Irene Theresa ‘Rene’ Friend was born on 14 March 1918 and served in Civil Defence during the Second World War. She joined the W.R.A.C. on 2 February 1949 and served in the ranks for over 13 years. Appointed Warrant Officer 1st Class (Education) on 6 February 1955, she was appointed to a commission as Lieutenant and Quartermaster in the London Gazette of 11 May 1962.

Serving from 1965 to 1969 on the staff of the Royal Army Education Corps Instructional Unit of the British Army of the Rhine, she was raised Captain and Quartermaster on 1 April 1966. She ended her service with the Basic Training Wing at the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps Depot at Aldershot, retiring to pension on 14 March 1973.

Sold with a photograph of the recipient and a fine obituary highlighting her camping exploits with the Guides, unfailing sense of humour and fun, and role as a ‘mother figure’ to the staff and new recruits.