Rotha Lintorn-Orman

[Capt_Starlight]

Also known as Rotha Beryl Lintorn Orman (1895-1935).

She came up in passing elsewhere and I was intrigued by the photos in the National Portrait Gallery at => http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/p...?LinkID=mp54845

In her service in the Women's Reserve Ambulance and she was decorated for her contribution at the Great Thessaloniki Fire of 1917. She also served with the Scottish Women's Hospital Corps.

The photo mentioned above shows a medal ribbon - could you advise what that is ? To me it looks like an MC.

She founded the British Fascisti in the 1920's though the membership disintigrated and moved to the BUF over time. She died comparatively young after a lurid life of drugs, alcohol and orgies (apparently).

[edwin astill]

Martin Pugh's "Hurrah for the Blackshirts" gives some details on her, but does not answer your question. He tells us that she was the grand-daughter of FM Sir John Lintorn Simmons, joined the Girl Scouts in 1909 and established a new troop in Bournemouth. Was known as a "Man-woman" (photo is a clue),.Served with distinction and decorated (as you note) Became Commandant of the British Red Cross Motor School with responsibility for training drivers. She did not get mixed up with Mosley, and as you say, became an alcoholic and faded out. Unfortunately Pugh does not mention the orgies. Interesting how mant quite respectable people (including officers and men with good war records) were mixed up with British fascism in its early days.

Edwin

[Carmania]

She was awarded the Serbian Croix de Charite, sometimes known as the Samaritans Cross, so it could be that. It definitely would not be the Military Cross as it was not awarded to women (or men-women!).

Aled

[Capt_Starlight]

She was awarded the Serbian Croix de Charite, sometimes known as the Samaritans Cross, so it could be that. It definitely would not be the Military Cross as it was not awarded to women (or men-women!).

Aled

Ta - know of a picture of the medal and particularly the ribbon ?

[Carmania]

Here is a photograph of her wearing the British War Medal, Allied Victory Medal and I presume the Croix de Charite, which apparently had a pale blue ribbon.

Aled

[apwright]

Pic of medal here: http://www.vitezmedals.co.uk/SerKM.htm

Adrian

[Capt_Starlight]

Pic of medal here: http://www.vitezmedals.co.uk/SerKM.htm

Adrian

Thanks- but does not seem to fit the ribbon she is pictured with in the NGP phot. Any other ideas of what it might be ?

[bushfighter]

Edwin

You make an interesting last comment.

I guess that when new political parties are introduced nobody knows what paths they will later decide to follow. To former service men and women, who perhaps saw too much of war and death, any organisation offering discipline rather than shambles, greed and buffoonery will look attractive.

(Perhaps future historians will comment on a slightly similar current situation in our own country.)

Harry

[edwin astill]

And, of course, the somewhat less than respectable David Lloyd-George admired them!

Edwin

[MelPack]

Does anyone have a photograph of her as a raddled alcoholic shortly before her death?

Mel

[royalredcross]

The third award she is wearing is certainly the Serbian Cross of Mercy, sometimes called the Samaritan Cross. It was normally worn from a light blue ribbon.

NGG