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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 338

An impressive Great War M.B.E. group of four awarded to Mrs M. Lucas, St. John Ambulance Brigade, who served as Quartermaster and Assistant Commandant of Barry Island Hospital, the first V.A.D. Hospital in Britain

Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, M.B.E., breast Badge, silver-gilt, hallmarked for London 1919; Most Venerable Order of St. John, Serving Brother's Badge, silver and enamel, (Mia Lucas London May 3rd 1918), unnofficially engraved; Coronation 1953; St. John Service Medal, silver, with four bars (6059 Lady. D/Supt. M. Lucas Barry Hill NSG Div. Priory for Wales 1927.), mounted for display, later issue M.I.D. oak leaves pinned to mount, minor contact wear (4)

M.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1919

Sarah Mia Lucas was born Sarah Mia Payne, later going by her middle name, at Aberdare in 1873, the daughter of James W. Payne of Penarth. Educated at Llanelli she later married Walter W. Lucas, a Load Weigher from Roche, Cornwall in 1897. Lucas joined the Barry Division of the St. John Ambulance Association in 1912 and when the war broke out volunteered at the closest hospital. Appointed Quartermaster and Assistant Commandant of the Barry Island Hospital, she was present when it opened as a Voluntary Aid Department Hospital in August 1914, the first in Britain to do so. She excelled in her work being recommended for the Royal Red Cross on 11 May 1917 and twice receiving a 'mention' from the Secretary of State for her service (The Times 14 March 1918).

Lucas received a Priory Certificate of Thanks in 1919 and was awarded the M.B.E. on 1 January 1919 with the presentation being conducted by Prince Arthur of Connaught on 21 January. She continued to work with the Order of St. John and was made an Officer on 24 June 1938 as a reward for her service. She lived at Bryncaerau, 5 Miskin Street, Barry and died in 1947; sold together with copied research including auction listings, a council minute noting her recommendation for the R.R.C. and an extract from The Times 14 March 1918 as well as London Gazette entries, census data and information on Barry Island V.A.D. Hospital including staff photographs along with a borough of Barry medal to commemorate the 21 anniversary of the grant of the Charter of incorporation.

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Sold for
£380

Starting price
£270