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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 127

Three: Acting Matron G. H. C. Paynter-Williamson, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service

British War and Victory Medals (A Matron. G. H. C. Paynter.); Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Medal, 47mm x 34mm, silver, maker's cartouche 'S&W Ld' and hallmarks for Birmingham 1917 to reverse, very fine (3)

A.R.R.C. London Gazette 23 February 1917.

Gladys Harriet Cole Paynter-Williamson was born in Margam, Port Talbot and was the daughter of the Vicar of Margam. She trained as a nurse at St Mary's, Paddington and throughout the Great War served as a Staff Nurse, Sister and latterly Acting Matron with Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (Q.A.I.M.N.S.). She was awarded the Associate Royal Red Cross after her service with the Q.A.I.M.N.S. from 8 August 1914 until 24 August 1919. During the war, Paynter-Williamson was initially found unfit for war service but fit enough for home service and was therefore initially based in Aldershot and Croydon where she served as Sister-in-Charge. However, in July 1917 Paynter-Williamson was found fit for service overseas and served in France from August 1917-21, although she was officially demobilised by the Army in August 1919. In one report dating July 1915, Paynter-Williamson was described as 'an exemplary well trained surgical nurse, an excellent disciplinarian and a capable ward manager' and a specialist in the fractures ward.

Her awarding of the A.R.R.C. was reported in the Cambria Daily Leader on the 11 April 1917:

'DECORATED BY THE KING.
Sister Gladys Paynter Williamson, who was decorated by his Majesty the King with the Royal Red Cross, is the daughter of the Rev. Z. Paynter Williamson, R.D., Vicar of Margam. Miss Williamson, who was trained at St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, at the outbreak of war joined Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, and was for some time at the Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot. Since July, 1915, to the present she has been sister in charge of a military hospital in Croydon. After the investiture at Buckingham Palace Sister Williamson had the honour of being received by her Majesty Queen Alexandra at Marlborough House.'

Paynter continued to nurse after the war and died on 24 May 1936 having suffered from carcinoma for the prior two years.


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Estimate
£300 to £400

Starting price
£240