The General Nursing Council for England and Wales badge presented to M.B. Lethem 1922

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Thomas Fattorini Ltd

c. 1928

Overview

State Registered Nurse (SRN) hallmarked silver and enamel qualification badge issued by the General Nursing Council for England and Wales to M.B. Lethem.
The centre of the badge depicts a silver figure representing a traditional nurse or a classical figure of healing, flanked by decorative floral sprigs. This is surrounded by a vibrant dark blue enamel band containing the capitalised silver inscription: 'THE GENERAL NURSING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND & WALES'. To the outside of this is a stylised silver border resembling a Tudor rose pattern with detailed floral embellishments between the petals.
The reverse has the maker's details at the top, under which are the recipient's name, registration number and date of qualification. Below this is the patent registration number, the maker's mark and hallmarks.
There is a loop at the bottom through which a fine-link safety chain attaches the main medallion to a matching silver safety pin to prevent losing the badge from a uniform fabric.

Historical information

This badge was presented to Mary Brown Letham on 27 October 1922. She was born on 19 February 1891 in Beath, Fife, Scotland. She qualified for her nursing certificate after studying from 1916-1919 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She was still registered as a nurse in 1940. She never married and died in Monkseaton Tyne and Wear on 9 December 1982, aged 90.

Although Mary qualified and was registered for this badge in late 1922, the hallmarks indicate that it was made in 1928. This badge is made from silver. Another held in the collection dated 1943 was made from a silver tone metal, perhaps due to wartime shortages.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW01073

Item type

Badges

Collectibles

Ephemera

Personal Effects

Themes

Medicine and Health

Social History

Material