A ‘Egypt and Soudan’ Royal Red Cross group of four awarded to Superintendent Sarah Emily Webb, Army Nursing Service
Royal Red Cross, 1st Class, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, silver breast badge; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Superintendent S. E. Webb); King’s South Africa 1901-02, no clasp (Supt. S. E. Webb) cleaned and mounted for display; together with a Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service cape badge, last fine; group with some contact marks, very fine and better (5) £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals relating to the Boer War formed by two brothers.

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War Office, November 15, 1898: ‘The Queen has been graciously pleased to confer the Decoration of the Royal Red Cross upon the undermentioned ladies, in recognition of their services in tending the sick and wounded in Egypt, in connection with the recent operations in the Soudan: Miss Sarah Emily Webb, Army Nursing Service ...’

Sarah Emily Webb was born on 30 April 1856. She joined the Army Nursing Service at Netley on 1 May 1886. As such she was awarded the R.R.C. 1st Class for her service in Egypt, in tending the wounded and sick following the Sudan Campaign. As a Superintendent she served in the Boer War, was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901) and on 29 July 1902 was made an Honorary Associate of the Order of St. John. Appointed a Matron in the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service on 17 February 1903, she resigned from the service on 17 June 1904. Then aged 44 years, she married Major Andrew Hosie, R.A.M.C., at St. John’s, Waterloo Road, London, on 7 June 1904. After their marriage they made their home at Barsham Lodge, Sandown, Isle of Wight. With the outbreak of war in August 1914 she offered her services and was appointed Matron of Parkhurst Hospital, Isle of Wight - a position she held until her resignation due to ill-health in April 1916. Following on from this she was subsequently awarded the Silver War Badge. She died at her sister’s home at 47 Garville Avenue, Rathgar, Dublin, on 29 July 1944. With original case for R.R.C. and copied research.