Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War R.R.C. pair awarded to Sister Frances M. Billington, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, New Zealand

Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver-gilt, gold, and enamel, on lady’s bow ribbon; Victory Medal 1914-19 (Sister F. M. Billington.) together with an unnamed British War Medal, gilding slightly rubbed on first, good very fine (3) £400-£500

R.R.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919: ‘In recognition of valuable services with the Armies in France and Flanders.’

A.R.R.C. London Gazette 28 December 1917.

Miss Frances May Billington was born on 19 May 1882 in Staffordshire, and served as a Nursing Sister at the North Staffordshire Infirmary for three years from September 1901 to September 1904, after which she nursed privately in London, Egypt, and New Zealand. She joined the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, New Zealand, on 8 January 1915, and served with them during the Great War in hospitals in France from 23 April 1916. Awarded the Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class, in 1917, she was advanced to 1st Class in 1919, shortly before being demobilised on 12 June 1919.

One of only 15 R.R.C.s awarded to New Zealand Nurses.

Sold together with a newspaper cutting announcing the award of the R.R.C., and the recipient’s New Zealand Service Record.