1917. Together three medals; Silver British War and Bronze British Victory Medals mounted together with brooch, ‘A. L. Merrylees’ inscribed on rim of both medals, both ribbons slightly soiled with some minor tarnishing to both versos, with separate bronze French Médaille d’honneur, issued by the Ministère de la Guerre for ‘Devouement Epidemies’, the reverse officially embossed ‘Miss A. Merrylees 1917’, house within original case of issue with gold blocked lettering to the lid ‘Ministère de la Guerre - Miss A. Merrylees 1917’; some internal wear to box interior, with further rubbing and scuffing to outer surfaces; miniatures of all three mounted together on a separate brooch, ribbons rather soiled and a little frayed; generally though very good to fine. Evocative trio of medals awarded to Miss Anna Louisa Merrylees for her war-time service to nursing. Merrylees was born in Aberdeen in 1879, and first served in Salonika with the Scottish Women’s Hospital before subsequently working as a Masseuse and Orderly in France with the French Red Cross. The medal roll shows her as being a serving member of The Scottish Women’s Hospital, and she served in the Royaumont unit with Miss Frances Ivens. Ivens was chief medical officer at the Scottish Women’s Hospital there, and for her services to the French forces she was awarded the Légion d’honneur and the Croix de Guerre. Merrylees served from September 1915 until September 1917, and she is quoted twice in Eileen Crofton’s book on the unit, Angels of Mercy: A Women’s Hospital on the Western Front 1914-1918 (though surname spelt as Merrilees). In the 1920’s she worked in Kenya, until returning to London and living in Chelsea. She was subsequently employed as a masseuse/physiotherapist at St. Bartholemew’s Hospital for 20 years, and died at Harborne Hall, Birmingham, in December 1965.
British Nurses who served overseas were awarded the standard campaign medals depending on where they served. The silver British War Medal (1914-1920) was awarded to officers and men and women of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or served overseas between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 inclusive. The ribbon has a central band of orange edged with white, black and blue lines and although many other medal ribbons symbolise something, it seems that the colour and pattern of the British War Medal ribbon has no special significance. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit were inscribed on the rim of the medal, although only Miss Merrylees’ name has been included here. The obverse depicts King George V together with Latin inscription, whilst the reverse gives the dates of the First World War and shows St. George on horseback trampling underfoot the eagle shield of the central powers (German and Austro-Hungarian Empires), with a skull and cross-bones. Approximately 6.4 million of these medals were issued.
The Allied forces each issued their own bronze Victory Medal (1914-1919), with a similar design, equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The colours represent the combined colours of the Allied nations, with the rainbow additionally representing the calm after the storm. The ribbon consists of a double rainbow with red at the centre. The British version depicts the winged figure of Victory on the front with on the reverse 'The Great War for Civilisation 1914-1919’. To qualify, an individual had to have entered an area of active fighting, not just served overseas. Approximately 5.7 million Victory Medals were issued.
The Médaille d’honneur for epidemics was first instituted by decree in 1885 to reward those for particular service and dedication during an epidemic. Awarded by the Ministry of War to both French and foreign civil and military personnel, it was awarded to those during WWI who had distinguished themselves helping the sick and injured, and was also given to those who helped during the Spanish influenza epidemic.