A remarkable Woman and Second World War Birmingham Canteen Worker & 'Fire Watcher's' medal group of 4 representing a lifetime of Loyal Voluntary Community & Public Service: Ms Muriel Ethel Spokes, M.B.E., OStJ

- The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge
- The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer’s (Sister’s) small breast badge, silver and ename
- Defence Medal
- Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Muriel Ethel Spokes)

Father 'Killed-in-Action' Great War: Muriel was only years of age, when her family received news of the death of her father, who was 'Killed-in-Action' in France, on 1918. Almost certainly this tragic loss, contributed to Muriels lifetime of loyal service to community and country

Medals Verification: Both Orders and the Imperial Service Medals verified as entitled per the below following cited references. The medal rolls for the Defence Medal awarded to civilian services are not yet in the public domain, however the recipients service as a volunteer Forces Canteen worker and 'Fire Watcher' in Birmingham during the Second World is referred to in the below referenced newspaper source (which we are quoting)

- The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Member MBE. (Civil): London Gazette 14 June 1986
- The Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Serving Sister: Published London Gazette issue of 31 January 1974
- Defence Medal:
- Imperial Service Medal: Published London Gazette 27 June 1967. Shown as Overseer, Birmingham

There are many newspaper articles pertaining to this remarkable lady and her lifetime services to community and country - far too many to list here. Some of the articles include photographs of the recipient, with at least one published with Muriel wearing miniature medals (see the Birmingham Daily Post issue of 11 May 1994. We are however herunder quoting an article that was published in the Sutton Coldfield News issue of 20 June 1986:

Quote,

Suttonians figure in Queen's Honour's list

Muriel's M.B.E. for a lifetime's work

Sutton Coldfield people figured prominently in the Queen's Birthday Honour's List announced at the weekend.

Sutton's Miss Muriel Ethel Spokes, was awarded the MBE for a lifetime's work for the sick and elderly.

Seventy-nine-year-old Miss Stokes of Jockey Road, has steered a number of groups helping hospitals in Birmingham and the Midlands.

She is Vice-Chairman of the Central Area of the National Association of the Leagues of Hospital Friends and President of the West Midlands Association of Hospital Friends.

As Secretary of the Birmingham and District Post Office and British Telecom Pensioners' Association. she helped boost welfare and entertainment for 3,300 retired workers - after her 44 years work at the Post Office.

She will also be remembered for boosting facilities at the geriatric department of the Dudley Road Hospital, where she chairs the hospital's League of Hospital Friends.

Miss Spokes if also Officer-Sister of the Order of St. John and a former President of the Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham area of the St. John.

Boosting, brigade funds was the main priority, she said.

During the Second World War she used to help the Fire Watchers and run a forces canteen in New Street Station.

She used to run girl guides and sea rangers and has promoted celebrations of St. George's Day, as Chairman of the Royal Society of St. George.

"I have been lucky enough to have had good health all my life, and so have tried to help the less fortunate," Miss Stokes said after receiving her award.

Unquote

This sale is for the recipients attributed miniature medal only. The images showing the full-size medals are here shown for provenance / attribution and prop purposes only, and are not included in the sale. We will however send the buyer soft-copy images of all prop images

See item code for the recipients companion miniature medal group, which is being sold separately

Medals are professionally mounted in the swing-style and as-worn by the recipient. The white metal mounting bar retaining its long hinged pin and clasp fittings

Condition: About EF

Code: 24802