Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A poignant Great War Order of St. John casualty group of six awarded to Nursing Sister Thelka Bowser, Voluntary Aid Detachment and Order of St. John of Jerusalem, who died at home in St Leonards on Sea after becoming seriously unwell whilst on active service in France

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Sister’s shoulder badge, 1st type (1892-1939), silver and enamel, circular badge with white enamel cross with heraldic beasts in angles raised above the background, on lady’s bow riband, engraved to reverse ‘St. John’s Gate, Clerkenwell 1.6.1915 - 19.3.1916’; 1914-15 Star (T. Bowser. V.A.D.); British War and Victory Medals (T. Bowser. V.A.D.); Coronation 1902, St. John Ambulance Brigade, bronze (T. Bowser. N.S.); Coronation 1911, St. John Ambulance Brigade (Nurs. Sister T. Bowser.) very fine and better (6) £400-£500

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

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Thekla Bowser - sometimes known as Ida Thekla or Lola Thekla - was born in Marylebone in 1877, the daughter of John Carrick Bowser of London. A Serving Sister of the Order of St John since 1902, she nursed with No. 92 (London) District, V.A.D., from 1 June 1915 to 3 February 1916, but became unwell whilst in France. Discharged on 19 March 1916 in consequence of an intestinal obstruction, she was issued Silver War Badge No. 166182 on 23 June 1917. She died a little over a year later on 11 January 1919 and is commemorated upon the Screen Wall of Hastings Cemetery in Sussex.

Sold with the recipient’s corresponding miniature award of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, engraved to reverse as per the full-size decoration.