British Groups

Lot 2379    SESSION 16 (9.30AM FRIDAY 25TH NOV)    British Groups

Estimate $8,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $7,000

GROUP OF ELEVEN: The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Dame Commander) (DBE) Star (type 1); also Neck Badge (type 1); Royal Red Cross with Bar (QV in silver-gilt); Order of St John as Serving Sister Breast Badge; Queen's South Africa Medal 1899 (type 3 reverse); King's South Africa Medal 1902; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID; France, Medaille des Epidemies (en Vermeil); Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Cape Badge 1902-1949. First four unnamed as issued, Supt. Nursing Sister S.E.Oram. on fifth and sixth medals, Principal Matron S.E.Oram Q.A.I.M.N.S. on seventh medal, Matron In Chief S.E.Oram. on eighth and ninth medals, Miss S.E.Oram 1921 on tenth medal, last medal unnamed. All named medals impressed except the tenth which is die cast. The decorations loose, the other medals swing mounted, very fine.

Together with swing mounted set of nine miniature medals (With French award ribbon but missing medal); NSWR Railway Ambulance Corps Silver Cross, reverse inscribed, 'Passed Albt. J.Oram. Feb 1898' (presumably Sarah's brother); photo of S.E.Oram in uniform wearing some medals.

Dame Commander of Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: LG 9/6/1919 as Matron in Chief. Invested 10 March 1920 at Buckingham Palace.

Royal Red Cross: LG 11/12/1896. Presented personally by the Queen 'in recognition of her services in tending the sick and wounded during the recent operations in the Soudan.'

Bar to Royal Red Cross: LG 1/1/1918 for very valuable services during the war.

Order of St John as Serving Sister: 5/1/1938.

Medaille des Epidemies (en Vermeil): LG 7/6/1919 as Temporary Matron in Chief.

MID: LG 27/9/1901 for service in South Africa as Superintendent.
WWI awarded four occasions.

Sarah Elizabeth Oram, born Christmas Day, 25Dec1860, at Cirencester, England; Appt'd Nursing Sister with British Army Nursing Service 01May1886; noted in Egypt 1897; Emb.21Jan1900 from Southampton for South Africa as Superintendent Sister in charge of 11 nurses; to Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service as Matron 26May1902; to South Africa as Principal Matron 19Jun1911; arrived Egypt 10May1915 and to duty as Matron in Chief Egypt 1915-1919; to Retired List Apr1920; Died unmarried on 26Jun1946 at South Kensington, England and cremated at Kensal Green Crematorium, London.

Mentioned in the book, 'Australian Women at War', by Patsy Adam-Smith as having introduced new uniforms for Australian nurses. Also mentioned several times and described in the Australian World War One Medical Official History as a 'capable and gracious lady in charge of Australian and British nurses.' (Vol 1, pp199 and 764).

There was an Albert John Oram, possibly Sarah Oram's brother, who arrived in NSW from England when he was 16 and who became a NSW Railways' station-master, serving at several regional locations. After he retired he settled at Porters Retreat in NSW and died on 11 October 1938 in Bathurst District Hospital.

With research.