Royal Red Cross Register

[Sue Light]

Although the majority of women attended an Investiture to receive their award of the RRC/ARRC, some were eventually sent either by post, or via the India Office, Colonial Office, A.I.F. Headquarters etc. For some civilian nurses serving in Africa, particularly those in the Belgian Congo, they were sent via 'M.S.3.B.' Does anyone know what those abbreviations stand for, or to which department they refer?

Sue

[Philip Wilson]

M.S. generally stands for Military Secretary.

M.S.3.B might therefore be the file reference. The clues are likely to be in the supporting correspondence when forwarding the award to the recipient.

[Sue Light]

M.S. generally stands for Military Secretary.

M.S.3.B might therefore be the file reference. The clues are likely to be in the supporting correspondence when forwarding the award to the recipient.

Thanks Philip - 'Military Secretary' fits perfectly as do the letters and numbers, in common with other departments at the War Office. 'M.S.3.B.' must have been the office of the Military Secretary responsible for dealing with the despatch of honours to areas not covered by the Colonial Office etc. - I shall think of it in future as the 'Military Secretary of Overseas Bits and Pieces.'

Regards --- Sue