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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 339

Four: Sister S. M. Leacy, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, who served for the duration of the war and received a 'mention' for her work in 1917

1914 Star (Miss S. M. Leacy. Q.A.I.M.N.S.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Sister S. S. Leacy.); Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, silver cape badge, hallmarked to J. R. Gaunt, Mounted as worn, polished, edge bruising, contact marks, nearly very fine (4)

One of only 161 1914 Stars awarded to Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve.

Susan Mary Leacy was born at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in April 1877, the daughter of Charles and Agnes Leacy of Bath Road, Cheltenham. She was employed as a nurse as early as 1901 appearing in that capactiy on the census for that year at Glenhaven House, Albany Street, London. Later qualifying as a Midwife on 9 March 1912 whilst working at London Hospital.

With the outbreak of the Great War Leacy was embodied for service, entering the war in France on 17 August 1914. Serving first at No. 3 General Hospital, a report at this time states:

'Theater work poor.
Has been on night duty in sick officers wards. Where her work & nursing have proved quite satisfactory.
Has a difficult temper.
I have had no experiences of Miss Leacy's management of wards'

This rather lukewarm report may explain why Leacy left No. 3. for No. 18 General Hospital at Camiers on 23 December 1915. Her report here makes for very different reading, stating:

' Work Excellent. Is a good nurse + ward manager. She is a very good theatre nurse.
manner good

General Conduct Good.'

This good work may explain her 'mention' in Haig's dispatch 29 May 1917. However this hospital was taken over by the Americans in June 1917 and Leacy again transferred this time to No. 24 General Hospital in Etaples on 14 June. Returning home on leave on 23 August 1917 she came down with influenza and was unable to return until 28 December 1917 at No. 42 Stationary Hospital in Nancy before heading back to La Havre on 29 March 1918. After a move to No. 12 Stationary Hospital Leacy began to work mainly in Casualty Clearing Stations. As the war came to an end she was still serving, ending her military career on 6 February 1919 with No. 58 Casualty Clearing Station; sold together with copied research including service papers, M.I.C. and a London Gazette entry as well as three extracts from The British Journal of Nursing.

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Sold for
£600

Starting price
£130