Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Second War R.R.C. group of five awarded to Wing Officer Olive Suddaby, Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service, who was Mentioned in Despatches for services in pre-War Palestine

Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), G.VI.R. 1st issue, silver-gilt, gold, and enamel, reverse officially dated ‘1946’; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Sister O. Suddaby. P.M.R.A.F.N.S.); Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine and rare (5) £1,000-£1,400

R.R.C. London Gazette 13 June 1946

A.R.R.C. London Gazette 1 July 1941

M.I.D. London Gazette 23 July 1937:
‘In connection with services rendered in connection with the operations in Palestine between April and October 1936.’

Olive Suddaby received her nursing certificate after training at the Royal Southern Hospital, Liverpool and was registered with the Royal College of Nursing, London on 20 July 1923 (No. 20607). Appointed Staff Nurse, Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service on 1 January 1926, she was promoted to Sister on 2 November that year. Stationed at R.A.F. Halton, Aylesbury in 1933 and noted as serving at R.A.F. Hinaidi, Iraq in 1937, she was one of two members of the Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service to be Mentioned in Despatches.

Between 1938 and 1939 she was stationed at R.A.F. Habbaniya, Iraq, being promoted Senior Sister on 1 May of the latter year. Appointed an Associate of the Royal Red Cross in July 1941, in 1943, her permanent address in the Royal College of Nursing register is recorded as P.M. R.A.F. Halton, Aylesbury. Noted as serving at the R.A.F. Hospital, Abassia, Egypt in 1946, she was promoted Matron on 25 April of that year and advanced to the First Class of the Royal Red Cross on 13 June. Granted a permanent commission as Wing Officer on 1 February 1949, in October of 1950, she was sent on a tour of Far East Air Force Command facilities, including those in Singapore, Malaya and Ceylon. During the early months of the following year, she toured Far East Command Hospitals, including R.A.F. Changi and Hong Kong. Wing Officer Olive Suddaby retired at her own request on 29 June 1951.

Approximately 39 General Service Medals with clasp Palestine awarded to Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service.