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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 153

The campaign group of three awarded to Lady Guernsey, French Red Cross, who served in France from December 1914

British War and Victory Medals (Lady G. C. G. Guernsey.); France, Republic, Medal of Reconnaissance, silver issue, the reverse attractively engraved 'Lady Guernsey', mounted as worn, very fine (3)

Gladys Cecil Georgina Guernsey, Lady Guernsey, was the second daughter of the 2nd Baron De Ramsey and was married in 1907. Despite the death of Lord Guernsey, Lady Guernsey was clearly keen to give her contribution to the war effort and served on the Western Front with the French Red Cross from December 1914. Her six-year-old son was left at school and in the care of relatives.

She became a Directrice of the Fecamp Hospital and is further mentioned in Laurence Binyon's For Dauntless France. At the end of the Great War, it decreed that the 1914 and 1914-15 Star should only be awarded to Nursing Staff who had attended to British wounded - thus, in spite of arriving in France in December 1914, Lady Guernsey only received the Pair, which were claimed in 1925, besides her French award.

Her image, together with many of her comrades, was sketched by Henry Lamb whilst at Fecamp and is for sale via the Messum Gallery, London. She also features in the diary of Edith Elizabeth Appleton, who mentioned her on 22 May 1916:

'Sunday yesterday – went to early & evening services. Glorious day – we were duly inspected by Princess Victoria – Princess Christian’s daughter. I hope she is not a a spy – having a brother with the Germans – does put one off her a bit. She seemed to like everything. The V.A.D. Chauffeurs – lined their convoy of cars up – & stood by them – in the square – & were the first visited. P.V. shook hands with them all – & they made their curtsies to her. Lady Guernsey & two other ladies were with her. Poor little L. Guernsey – is a charming young thing. She lost her husband at the beginning of the War – & has been running a French hospital at Fécamp ever since. After the inspection they all came to tea with us. Princess V. & the 3 ladies with her – Miss McCarthy, Col. Jenkins – a Staff Officer, the A.D.M.S., our C.O., & about 6 M.O.s. The V.A.D. drivers – & a bunch of us.'

For the Medals of her late husband, please see Lot 89.

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Sold for
£900

Starting price
£320