Royal Medico-Psychological Association medal for Proficiency in Mental Nursing

[depaor01]

Hi:

 

I posted a query about a grand-Uncle of mine, Edward Connolly, Mouse Trap Farm POW, some time ago and think this part of his story may fare better in this part of the forum. Queries about the action were filled in nicely.

 

He was awarded the above medal as well as his trio. Sue Light (RIP) is on record as stating this example dates from 1926 as it has a crest in the centre.

 

I enquired at The Royal College of Psychiatrists and they say they have registers with information about where the nurses sat for their examinations in nursing and the dates of their certificates. I supplied his date of birth to them but have heard nothing back as yet.

 

In broad terms, what does this medal represent? 

 

Was it only given to registered nurses?

 

Nobody living knows about Edward Connolly having been a nurse and I'd love to know what duties one would do (and how well!) to earn this decoration.

 

 

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Dave

[headgardener]

I can't offer much help beyond saying that I have one of these which was part of a group to an Infantryman including a 15 star trio. I did a little research on it abt 30 years ago, turned out my man was a nurse in an asylum in Norfolk. I wasn't aware that the RCP had inherited records of this particular body, so would be interested to know what they have to say once they get back to you. 

[depaor01]

Thanks Headgardener.

 

I received this from the archivist:

 

"We do not have medal rolls in our archives, but we do have registers with information about where the nurses sat for their examinations in nursing and the dates of their certificates. I would need his date of birth or when he was a nurse in order for us to obtain his information from the registers."

 

Not much, but a breadcrumb of info. I did give the DOB info but heard nothing back.  I might phone them.

 

Dave

[depaor01]

Interesting that we have an infantryman and a sergeant involved in what would normally be quite a specialised area of medical expertise.

I'm even more curious now!

Dave

[headgardener]

Yes, I was surprised that my man ended up in an infantry battalion. And I seem to recall that he was a POW like yours!

Just dug up my 30 year old research on my man's medal. The society became 'Royal' in 1926 and adopted the crest shown on your medal at that time, but that doesn't mean the medal  necessarily dates from '26, it could be later than that. Judging by the style of engraving, yours certainly looks late 20's or early 30's. 

Edited 26 August , 2020 by headgardener

[depaor01]

Amazing. Sounds like these men used their hellish experiences to help others. Most never talked about what they went through. 

Dave

[headgardener]

Just found mine. Identical style of engraving, though mine is perhaps a little less neat. 

 

[depaor01]

Very similar all right. Yours retains the guide lines too.

 

Dave