A Scarce & Desirable South African Nurses Second World War campaign medal group of 4: F. M. Dickinson, South African Medical Nursing Service

- The 1939-45 Star (90740 F. M. Dickinson)
- The Africa Star (90740 F. M. Dickinson)
- War Medal (90740 F. M. Dickinson)
- Union of South Africa: Africa Service Medal (90740 F. M. Dickinson)

Important: The recipients unique service number is confirmed as being in the unique regimental block 90666 - 91665 that was allocated to the South African Medical Nursing Service

Note: South African personnel of the Second World War era retained the same service number that they received on enlistment for the rest of their career, irrespective of the transfers to other units or services

South African Medical Nursing Service: Reference the Journal of the Military History Society of South Africa, Volume I. No. II, June 1968, that contains an article titled 'Some Notes on the South African Medical Nursing Services' by Neville Gomm, from which below extracts are quoted with thanks:

Quote.

The service reached its peak during World War II. In 1944 the strength was recorded as being 1,886, of which slightly more than 1,000 were Nursing Assistants. Elsewhere mention is made that at the height of its strength approximately 2,500 nurses were serving, and of this number 1,453 were probationers - 1,283 in South Africa and 170 in the Middle East. Major-General A.J. Orenstein, CB CMG, CBE, Director-General of South Africa's wartime medical services has said that, at the peak of the war period, there were in employ 3,691 female nursing staff, of whom 300 were seconded Canadians. In 1946, Miss M.E. Stoney, RRC, was appointed to the post of Matron-in-Chief She died in office on the 7th March, 1948, and is buried in the military cemetery at Voortrekkerhoogte.

Unquote.

Quote,

The year 1964 was a memorable one for nurses throughout South Africa, for both the S.A.M.N.S. and the S.A. Nursing Association celebrated their golden Jubilees. The two are completely different bodies but all military nurses must be members of the Nursing Association. The first link between the two had its origin a long time ago when the S.A. Trained Nurses' Association petitioned the Minister of Defence for the establishment of a Defence Nursing Council. This was to obviate a repetition of the difficulties under which nurses enlisted for military service during World War I. The petition was successful and in October, 1921, the first meeting of the S.A. Defence Council was held. Two seats on the Council were allocated to representatives of the Trained Nurses' Association

Unquote.

The recipients surname indicates a South African of British or Irish descent

The medals mounted in the swing-style and as-worn by the recipient. The silk medal ribands suspended form a white metal medal mounting bar, this latter retaining its original long hinged & clasp fittings

An extremely scarce and desirable South African Nurses Second World War campaign medal group

Condition: VF

Code: 24081