Orders, Decorations and Medals

The civil C.B.E., Second World War R.R.C. group of ten awarded to Principal Matron D. C. Bridges, Territorial Army Nursing Service, who was also awarded the rare distinction of the International Committee of the Red Cross Florence Nightingale Medal in 1953

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 2nd type badge on Lady’s riband bow, silver-gilt and enamel; Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), G.VI.R., 1st issue, gold, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse officially dated ‘1943’; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Nurse D. C. Bridges); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals; Coronation 1953; Florence Nightingale Medal, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, with ‘0925’ silver marks to reverse of award and suspension device, officially inscribed ‘Miss Daisy Caroline Bridges, C.B.E., R.R.C., 12 May 1953’’, together with two metalled Q.A.R.A.N.C. uniform badges, the Great War awards with re-engraved naming, cleaned and lacquered, generally good very fine (12) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Ron Penhall Collection.

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Taking up an appointment at St. Thomas’ Hospital in 1919, she remained employed at the same establishment until 1937, when she was awarded a Rockefeller Fellowship and travelled to the U.S.A. and Canada. Returning home prior to the advent of hostilities, however, she went on to serve with distinction in the Territorial Army Nursing Reserve 1939-45, work that witnessed her elevation to Principal Matron and took her to France, Egypt and India (R.R.C.). Post-war she was a member of the Ministry of Health’s Working Party on Recruitment and Training of Nurses 1946-47, before serving as General Secretary of the International Council of Nurses 1948-61, the latter work being recognised by her award of the International Committee of the Red Cross Florence Nightingale Medal in 1953 - one of only 30 British recipients so honoured in the period 1920-73 - and the C.B.E. in the following year. The recommendation for her Florence Nightingale Medal was published in the 402nd circular of the International Red Cross (Geneva) in May 1953:

‘Miss Daisy Caroline Bridges, professional nurse and midwife. She first served as a volunteer assistant (V.A.D.) in the 1914-18 War, becoming later a professional nurse and midwife. In the 1939-45 War, when she served as a matron and Principal Matron, she did indefatigable work in France, Egypt and India. She has an admirable record in the matter of “nursing” and is at present Executive Secretary of the International Red Council of Nurses.’

Bridges, who was noted for her wisdom, humour and sympathy to her patients, and who wrote A History of the International Council of Nurses 1899-1964, latterly served as a Vice-Patron of the Q.A.R.A.N.C. Association. She died in December 1972.

Provenance: Ex Seaby’s, October 1977.