Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War R.R.C. group of six awarded to Principal Matron Kathleen M. Cooper, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service, late British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem, who rose from Pantry Maid to Principal Matron in a nursing career spanning more than 30 years

Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), G.VI.R. 1st issue, silver-gilt, gold, and enamel, reverse dated ‘1944’; 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; 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, the second with minor white enamel loss, very fine (6)

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

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R.R.C. London Gazette 8 June 1944.

The original recommendation from the Officer Commanding, R.N. Auxiliary Hospital, Seaforth, states: ‘The above-mentioned Acting Matron, Q.A.R.N.N.S., joined this hospital before the complement of Nursing Sisters and V.A.D.’s was completed. She has organised the nursing of patients in the hospital with the greatest efficiency and zeal, and has opened Quarters for the Nursing Sisters and a hostel for V.A.D. Members. She has so arranged these that the Sisters and V.A.D.’s are contented and happy, thereby increasing the efficiency of the work carried out by those members of the staff. She has also organised the duties and Quarters with the Superintending Sister at R.N.A.H. Woolton with equally satisfactory results. The hostel for the V.A.D.’s at Woolton is not yet ready, but they have been as contented and happy as it has been possible to make them in the hospital itself. I am most impressed with the standard of nursing efficiency reached by the V.A.D. nursing members who have received the greater part of their nursing instruction and practical experience in this hospital.

She has been available, first as the Senior Superintending Sister and later as Acting Matron, for advice to all establishments in the Port of Liverpool in which Sisters Q.A.R.N.N.S. are carried, and in this also she has been of the greatest assistance.’

Kathleen Margaret Cooper served from 11 October 1917 with the British Red Cross Society as an Ordinary Member of the 4th Hampshire Voluntary Aid Detachment. Appointed to Pantry Maid and Nurse duties at Highfield Hall in Southampton, she later undertook her nursing studies at Birmingham General Hospital, qualifying SRN on 19 March 1926. Entering Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service as Nursing Sister on 2 July 1928, she served at Plymouth and on the island of Malta from 1932 to 1935. Advanced Superintending Sister on 8 February 1941, she was awarded the A.R.R.C. in the London Gazette of 1 July 1941 and posted to the Royal Naval Auxiliary Hospital at Seaforth on 5 June 1942. Transferred to Chatham in 1950, she ended her service as Principal Matron and died at Castle Cary, Somerset, on 21 April 1982.

Sold with the recipient’s original General Nursing Council for England and Wales silver and enamel badge, engraved to reverse ‘K. M. Cooper S.R.N. 42349 19.3.26’; Royal Life Saving Society bronze medal, awarded to ‘K. Cooper Aug. 1934’; Silver and enamel badge of the G. H. B. League; B.R.C.S. ‘For Service’ badge, No. 24747; with two original group photographs of the recipient.