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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 272

The Great War campaign group of three awarded to Private P. Tudor, Rifle Brigade, a member of the 'Noble Order of Jemima', a charming Old Comrades' Association which met to celebrate their feline mascot from the trenches

1914-15 Star (S-1033 Pte. P. Tudor. Rif: Brig:); British War and Victory Medals (S-1033 Pte. H. P. Tudor. Rif. Brig.), good very fine (3)

Tudor, a native of South Wales, served in France with the 11th Battalion, Rifle Brigade from 22 July 1915. Having been discharged, he became a member of the Old Comrades Association and became eligible for admission to his old battalion's 'Order of Jemima'.

Debra Williams, the grand-daughter of one of his comrades, describes the origins of the Order:

'While on the Western Front, my grandfather's Brigade cared for a cherished pet that became the symbol of their comradeship. My grandfather, Billy Williams, was in the 11th Rifle Brigade in the Great War, aged only 15. Out on the battlefields of the Somme, he and his comrades found a small bedraggled kitten.

They adopted the poor creature, and took it with them on their travels through the trenches - they said it helped keep down the vermin that ran through the dugouts. They named the cat 'Jemima'.

My grandfather took a bullet in the stomach at the age of 18 and was sent home to England to recuperate. His fellow soldiers looked after the cat until the end of the War.

Right up until he died aged 84, Grandad went to an annual meeting of his old battalion at a pub in Fleet Street. He always took with him a large plaster medallion with the face of a cat on the front. He called this his 'Jemima', and all the soldiers had one.'

The pub in Fleet Street at which members of the Order of Jemima convened for their reunions was 'Ye Old Cock Tavern', a grade II listed public house once frequented by Samuel Pepys, Charles Dickens and Alfred Tennyson.

Here, no doubt, was sung the chorus of the Order's signature song:

'Jemima, Jemima Jemima's the name of my cat (pussy, pussy cat)

Jemima, Jemima, Jemima, she sleeps all day long on the mat (woolley, woolley mat)

She bids me goodbye in the evening and you soon hear her feet pitter pat (pitter, pitter pat)

As she walks out for miles with the toms on the tiles, for Jemima's a sociable cat (pussy, pussy cat).'

Tudor died in early 1981.

Sold with his 'Order of Jemima' membership badge, named 'D. (sic) Tudor' to edge, 110mm. diam., on original woven black and green chord for wear, and related certificate of issue; a letter for the 37th Annual Reunion Dinner 1964, to be held at 'Ye Old Cock Tavern', Fleet Street, and two Rifle Brigade badges.

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Sold for
£250

Starting price
£250