Picture courtesy of DNW
RRC GV
Kaisar-i-Hind, GV 2nd Class, 2nd type,
QSA (0) (Nursing Sister M. L. Harris.);
KSA (0) (Nursing Sister M. L. Harris.);
BWM (A. Matron M. L. Harris);
Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Badge
RRC London Gazette 23 February 1917.
Mary Louise Harris trained at the Royal Free Hospital and enrolled in the Princess Christian's Army Nursing Service Reserve on 30 June 1899, being given the number ‘23’. She served in South Africa at No. 2 General Hospital at Pretoria, No. 3 General Hospital at Kroonstadt and at No. 8 General Hospital at Bloemfontein. She was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette, 10 September 1901) and awarded the Queen's and King's Medals without clasps. In July, 1903 she was selected for Q.A.I.M.N.S. in the rank of Staff Nurse and was promoted Sister on 10 November 1904. During the 1914-18 War she was acting Matron throughout and served overseas in Malta, arriving there on 7 May 1915 (therefore entitled to the British War Medal only). She was awarded the Royal Red Cross, 1st Class, in 1917, whilst serving as Acting Matron, Military Hospital, Felixstowe. She was promoted Matron on 8 April, 1922 and retired from the service in the following year. The award of the Kaisar-i-Hind has not been confirmed.