Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An extremely rare ‘Sudan Campaign’ R.R.C. and Order of St. John group of four awarded to Superintendent Sarah E. Webb, Army Nursing Service, later Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service, who was erroneously awarded the Royal Red Cross First Class a second time - this before Second Award Bars were possible - and was Mentioned in Despatches for her services in the Boer War

Royal Red Cross, 1st Class, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, on lady’s bow riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Associate’s shoulder badge, silver, with heraldic beasts in angles; 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 this fine, and related miniature cape badge, good very fine (5) £2,400-£2,800

Dix Noonan Webb, March 2011.

R.R.C. London Gazette 15 November 1898: Miss Sarah Emily Webb, Army Nursing Service
‘In recognition of her services in tending the sick and wounded in Egypt, in connection with the recent operations in the Soudan.’

Miss Sarah Emily Webb was born in Ireland on 30 April 1856 and joined the Army Nursing Service at Netley on 1 May 1886. She served with them in Egypt and the Sudan, and was awarded the Royal Red Cross 1st Class for her services in tending the wounded and sick following the Sudan Campaign. As a Superintendent she saw further service in the Boer War, was Mentioned in Lord Roberts’ Despatch (London Gazette 10 September 1901) and was erroneously awarded the Royal Red Cross 1st Class a second time (London Gazette 27 September 1901). As Second Award Bars to the Decoration were not introduced until 1917, Miss Webb was instead created an Honorary Associate of the Order of St. John (London Gazette 26 June 1902).

Appointed a Matron in the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service on 17 February 1903, Miss Webb 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.

Sold with a copy of The Tale of a Field Hospital by Sir Frederick Treves; and copied research.