QAIMNSR grouping

[Milmed]

Hi,
Just got the following group of items to a Nursing Sister L Richardson, QAIMNSR. In the group is the following:

1. An early St.John Ambulance VAD embroidered armband on black silk ribbon.
2. A red cross Army Medical Service armband
3. A Silver QAIMNSR WWII issue tippet badge. Made by JR GAUNT
4. Set of dog tags to Sister Richardson
5. An unknown enamelled red cross medallion with arabic writing and made by JR Gaunt.
6. An unknown silver brooch with number 17 in a circle.
7. A General Nurse and Midwife South African Trained Nursing Association badge named to L.T. Richardson
8. A pair of South African General Nurse shoulder boards with midwife bar.

There must be an interesting story behind this group of badges and Sister Richardson service as a nurse. I would be very pleased if anyone is able to help with service records or any other info on this lady.

Based on the South African insignia, it appears she served in South Africa during and post WWII. The SATNA badge was issued to all South African nurses who registered with the Trained Nurses Association and only registered nurses could practice in South Africa. This badge was discontinued c.1947/48 when the new South African Nursing Council (formed in 1944) issued new insignia (no. 8 above). These were worn on the shoulders.
The other insignia is British (QAIMNSR), so Sister Richardson would probably have been trained in the UK before the war, served with the VAD and joined the reserve at some point. It is pure speculation on my part, but she may have served in one of the high commission territories and stayed on after the war registering with the South African nursing authorities to serve in Southern Africa.

The two Unknown items intrigue me and I hope someone can shed some light on them, Especially helping to decipher the arabic writing on the red cross medallion.

Thanks
Steven

[Sunray9]

Steven, suggest this site may assist http://www.scarletfinders.co.uk some useful info.

Ritchie.

[Milmed]

Hi Ritchie,
Thanks for the lead. I had been to scarlet finders a few years ago in there infancy, but I see they do have a lot more info and links now. Hopefully I find something

Regards
Steven

[Milmed]

After many years I have finally found some information on this grouping. I initially assumed the Nurse served in WWII, but it turns out her service was in WWI


Nursing Sister Lilian Tweedale RICHARDSON

Born: 10/11/1885 Rochdale, Lancashire
Baptism: 14 Oct 1886 St Chad, Rochdale, Lancs.
Lilian Tweedale Richardson - [Child] of Abraham Edward Richardson & Elizabeth
Abode: Barclyse St.
Occupation: Pattern Maker
Baptised by: C. R. Garnett-Botfield
Register: Baptisms 1884 - 1894, Page 131, Entry 381
Source: LDS Family Search

Worked as nurse at General Hospital, Jersey October 1909 to March 1911
Trained as a Staff Nurse at the Royal Infirmary, Chester June 1911 to July 1915

Signed on with QAIMNS(R) - 07/10/1914

Served as Sister on HMHS Dongola in the Dardanelles (Battle of Gallipoli) 29/07/1915 to December 1915 (Awarded 1914-15 Star)
Served as Sister at 15 General Hospital, Alexandria 15/04/1916 to 01/04/1917
Served as Sister at 27 General Hospital, Cairo 04/09/1917 to 12/08/1919
Served as Sister at Queen Mary's Military Hospital, Whalley, Lancashire 15/10/1919 to 14/07/1920
Served as Sister at Blackmoors Military Hospital, Liverpool until demobed 19/08/1920

For this service she was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal
Added to the QAIMNS Permanent Reserve

From here it appears she left to continue nursing in South Africa.
Served as Sister at the Frontier Hospital, Queenstown, Cape Colony since 1921

From her SATNA badge and SA Nursing Council registered shoulder boards, it appears she continued serving in South Africa up until retirement.

Lilian passed away on 29/04/1957 at the South African Nurses Trust Home in Johannesburg, South Africa and is buried in Braamfontein Cemetery, Johannesburg

Would be nice to find her medals as they were not part of the lot that I purchased...

[Milmed]

I see there was a No.17 British General Hospital in Alexandria as well, so the two badges I have with a 17 may be souvenirs from this hospital.

Would like to find out more on the Red cross medallion with Arabic writing.

[Home Guard]

That is nothing short of a truly awesome grouping. Especially impressed with being part of the Gallipoli campaign!!!

Terry