Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 347

'You are being sent to work for the Red Cross. You have to perform a task which will need your energy, your patience, your humility, your determination to overcome all difficulties.

Remember that the honour of the V.A.D. organisation depends on your individual conduct.

It will be your duty not only to set an example of discipline and perfect steadiness of character, but also to maintain the most courteous relations with those whom you are helping in this great struggle.

Be invariably courteous, considerate, unselfish and kind.

Remember that whatever duty you undertake, you must carry it out faithfully, loyally, and to the best of your ability … '

Katharine Furse, Commandant-in-Chief of the Voluntary Aid Detachments, lays down the law in a confidential message to newly enrolled members, a message faithfully embraced by Mary Fynes-Clinton, A.R.R.C.

A well-documented Great War A.R.R.C. group of four awarded to Nurse Mary Fynes-Clinton, Voluntary Aid Detachment

Royal Red Cross (A.R.R.C.), Associate's breast Badge, silver and enamel, on Lady's bow; 1914-15 Star (M. G. Fynes-Clinton, V.A.D.); British War and Victory Medals (M. G. Fynes-Clinton, V.A.D.), the campaign medals mounted as worn and accompanied by their original registered post envelopes, very fine and better (4)

A.R.R.C. London Gazette 1 January 1918.

Mary Gordon Fynes-Clinton was born at Blandford, Dorset in 1874, the daughter of the Rev. Charles Henry Fynes-Clinton and his wife, Thomasina. At the time of her joining the Voluntary Aid Detachment in September 1914, the family were resident at Park House, Parkstone, Dorset.

Mary was initially employed at Cornelia Hospital in Poole, the first local hospital to admit casualties in the Great War; for further details see:

https://ww1poole.wordpress.com/2017/03/14/cornelia-hospital-and-how-it-became-the-first-local-hospital-to-receive-world-war-one-casualties/

In early November 1915, she was embarked for France and from then until January 1918 she carried out her nursing duties at No. 2 General Hospital at Le Havre, services that resulted in her appointment as A.R.R.C.

Then from January to March 1918, she served at 83 Canadian Hospital at Boulogne, prior to being evacuated to the U.K. following a 'bad accident'; her service record refers.

On returning to France in November 1918, she was employed at Abbeville, her final appointment being in the Head Matron's office at the Quai D'Escale until her release in July1919.

On Armistice Day 1933, Mary participated in the march past at the Cenotaph as a representative of the V.A.D. in Column F, under the command of the Viscountess Mountgarret; she also attended the Remembrance Festival at the Royal Albert Hall.

She died at Poole, Dorset on 4 February 1953;Sold with the recipient's impressive Great War scrapbook, the extensive contents comprising photographs, letters, postcards, invitations and much besides, including a copy of The Good-Bye Book of the Quai D'Escale.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£700

Starting price
£280