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Auction: 21002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 262

A Post-War A.R.R.C. awarded to Lieutenant Colonel T. L. Jefferys-Edwards, whose twenty four years of service took her to India, Egypt, Germany, Korea and Singapore

Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class, E.II.R., silver and enamel, dated '1966' to reverse; 1939-1945 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; United Nations Medal for Korea; General Service 1918-62, one clasp, Malaya (Capt. T. L. Jeffreys. Edwards. Q.A.R.A.N.C.), officially renamed, court-mounted as worn, overall very fine (7)

One of only 350 ARRCs awarded between 1953-79.

A.R.R.C. London Gazette 11 June 1966, the official recommendation states:

Major Jeffreys-Edwards has over twenty-two years service, and has recently returned from Singapore where she was the Deputy Matron, and during that period her impact on the hospital and its welfare was greater than one would normally expect from the Deputy. It was a period of change, improvement and advance and this officer played a large part in the success with which these changes were carried through. Her clear logical brain and quick intelligent grasp of a problem reduced the administration tasks and laid the foundation of long term planning for the future. Her value to both the Sister Tutor and to the Matron and considerable both in planning nurses' training programme and assuring the highest standard of patient care in the hospital. During two periods of civil labour crisis her assistance was invaluable in ensuring that the nursing and welfare of the patients continued as smoothly as possible. The success with which this Officer carried out her duties is reflected in the legacy she has left behind her. This officer is strongly recommended for the award of the ARRC.

Provenance: Bonhams 2013

Tamar Louise Jefferys-Edwards was born at Trevor, Denbighshire on 4 February 1917. Having attended County School, Langollen, she studied at the Royal Infirmary, Oldham from June 1935-June1938. Qualifying as State Registered Nurse in February 1939. Jefferys-Edwards entered service at 73 General Hospital, Hatfield as a sister with Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps on 7 June 1943 with an emergency commission. Moving first to Braintree, Essex and later to Colchester she was attached to the Military Hospital there on 27 October 1943. Continuing to serve in various hospitals around the UK for the rest of 1943 she embarked for India on 20 February 1944.

Arriving in Bombay on 21 March 1944 she started work at 126 Indian Base General Hospital later transferring to 72 Indian General Hospital on 11 May 1944. Here she remained until the end of the war, leaving India on 17 August 1946 for Britain and returning to work at York Military Hospital on 12 September 1946. Jefferys-Edwards was not to see active service again for another two years, when she embarked for the Middle Eastern Land Force, landing on 25 October 1948 and starting at the British Military Hospital Fayid two days later. Promoted Captain at British Military Hospital Tel-El-Kebir on 1 February 1949. Embarking for Britain on 1 August 1951 she remained for the next two years working at the Military Hospital Millbank. Transferred to the British Army of the Rhine on 12 January 1953 at the British Military Hospital Hannover she was there only a short time, leaving on 11 August 1953 for Britain. Arriving there that same day she was part of the British contribution to humanitarian aid in the wake of the Korean War.

Jefferys-Edwards arrived at the British Commonwealth General Hospital in Kure, Japan and worked there from 5 October 1953 until 11 June 1954 when she was transferred to the British Commonwealth Zone Medical Unit in Seoul Korea. Remaining there only a few month she resumed her duties in Japan from 12 October 1954. On 17 November 1954 Jeffreys-Edwards left Korea for Singapore, becoming part of the Far East Land Forces attempting deal with the Malayan Emergency. Starting work at the British Military Hospital Singapore on 17 November 1954 she was attached to the Cameron Highlanders shortly afterwards on 22 February 1955. While on this appointment she was advanced Major on 7 June 1955 Returning to Britain on 31 July 1956 she settled in Cambridge, working at Cambridge Military Hospital from 15 October 1956. Returning to Germany and the British Army of the Rhine on 21 July 1958 Jefferys-Edwards undertook work in both the British Military Hospital Hostert and the British Military Hospital Hannover. Continuing her overseas service she was transferred on 12 June 1959 to the Tripoli where she was to work for the next two years.

Heading back to Britain on 8 June 1961 Jefferys-Edwards returned to work at the British Military Hospital Cambridge, however she was to conduct one more overseas tour before her retirement. Returning to Singapore on 12 January 1964, it was her work as Deputy Matron here which resulted in the award of the A.R.R.C. Leaving Singapore for the final time Jefferys-Edwards returned to Britain, on 11 November 1965, staring work with the Royal Hebrew Hospital in Woolwich. She was appointed Matron on 18 January 1967 but soon retired with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on 30 June 1967. She was later invested with the Royal Red Cross at Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth. Jefferys-Edwards died in August 1985 in Gwynedd.

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Sold for
£850

Starting price
£650