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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 219

The 'Salonika' A.R.R.C. group of four awarded to Sister H. M. Ripper, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, who worked in the Serbian Hospitals at Mikra and was later honoured with the Serbian Cross of Mercy

Royal Red Cross (A.R.R.C.) breast Badge, 2nd Class, silver and enamel; British War and Victory Medals (Sister H. M. Ripper.); Serbia, Kingdom, Cross of Mercy, silver-gilt and enamel, the campaign awards mounted as worn, sold together with a Q.A.I.M.N.S.R. cape badge, the loop broken, good very fine (4)

A.R.R.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919:

'… to the undermentioned ladies of the Nursing Services in recognition of their valuable services with British Forces in Salonika.'

Samaritan Cross London Gazette 24 October 1919.

Helen Mary Ripper was born on 26 September 1886, the daughter of Great Eastern Railway signalman Jonathan Ripper of 53 Ranelagh Road, Ipswich, Suffolk. Educated at Guildhall Girl's School at Bury St. Edmunds she trained as a nurse at St. Mary's Infirmary at Highgate Hill, London between May 1910 and May 1913.

Training briefly as a pupil midwife she transferred to the Military Families Hospital at Shoeburyness as Charge Nurse in July 1914. As she was already in Military Service it is unsurprising that she joined Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve on the outbreak of the Great War.

Leaving England with the rank of Sister she entered the war in Salonika on 24 October 1916. Here she served with distinction, doubtless treating the ever-present malaria suffered by the force as often as war wounds. Her matron at the time notes:

'This lady has served with me in three hospitals during the War and I have nothing but praise for her work, her conduct and her demeanour in the Hospital mess. She is one of the nicest women and best sisters I have had this war…'

She served with one of the two General Hospitals at Mikra, one of five British Field Hospitals seconded to the Serbian Army, and as such would have treated many Serbian soldiers. It is likely that the Serbian Cross of Mercy was awarded as a result of this work. It was often dangerous for the doctors, Ripper as at one point treated for illness herself, either caught from her patients or the result of the stress of her work.

Returning to Britain in December 1918 she was struck off the strength of Eastern Command with references for excellent conduct and professional ability. Returning to the Military Families Hospitals, this time in Portsmouth, she resigned in May 1919 as a result of 'Home Reasons'.

Ripper continued to work as a nurse, appearing at Standish House Hospital in Gloucestershire in 1924 and on the 1939 census as a Matron, living in Gloucester. It seems likely under the circumstances that she served during the Second World War and indeed was to continue nursing for many years. Ripper died on 6 November 1987 at the age of 101. Doubtless one of few centenarian nurses to have served during the Great War; sold together with copied research and a typed career summary.

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Estimate
£800 to £1,000

Starting price
£600