Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A civil M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Captain Mavis Amy Bryse, Australian Army Nursing Service

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star (VFX114057 M. A. Bryse); Pacific Star (411672 N. V. Watson); Defence and War Medals (VFX114057 M. A. Bryse); Australia Service Medal (VFX114057 M. A. Bryse) W.W.2 stars and medals all officially impressed; Jubilee 1977, unnamed, note name on Pacific Star, see footnote below, mounted court style for wear; together with a mounted set of seven miniature dress medals, good very fine and better (14) £240-280

Mavis Amy Bryse was born in Prahan, Victoria, Australia on 18 November 1912. As a Trained Nurse, she entered the Militia at Melbourne with the Australian Army Nursing Service, 8 January 1940. As a Sister in April 1941 she was placed on full time duty at the Headquarters Southern Command. Served with the 108th General Hospital in July 1941; the 115th General Hospital in January 1942; the 119th General Hospital in May 1942; and the 121st General Hospital in June 1942. Ranked as Captain in March 1943. Posted to Adelaide in August 1943. Sick with dysentery, October 1943. From November 1943 she was on duty with the Headquarters, Victoria Lines of Communication. In April 1945 she was posted to the 102nd Australian General Hospital. Then on active service in the Netherlands East Indies from 15 August 1945, serving with the 2/12th Australian Hospital, returning to Australia in November. Discharged to the Reserve of Officers in April 1946. In August 1949 she married Major Arthur Eaton Prytz. In 1952 she was appointed a Member of the Board of Management of the Royal Women’s Hospital, a position she held until 1980, becoming President, 1962-65. In recognition of her service on the board, she was created an M.B.E. in 1967. During 1979-84 she served as President of Auxiliaries, responsible for raising much money for the hospital. Mavis Amy Prytz died at Armadale, Victoria on 23 July 1984.

With original named W.W.2 medal forwarding slip - this listing in error the award of a 1939-45 Star, rather than a Pacific Star which she was due. She apparently retained the correctly named 1939-45 Star sent to her and then simply added another person’s Pacific Star to her group, never officially claiming the Pacific Star. The Pacific Star was originally awarded to 411672 Flying Officer Neville Verdun Watson, Royal Australian Air Force. Also with copied research including copied photographs of Mavis Prytz.

For the medals of her husband - Major Arthur Eaton Pryyz, see lot 343.