Full Details for Lot 428

Sale MAR08A Lot 428

First World War Mother and Sons family group of medals of special Red Cross and Italian interest Mrs Nina Hollings, son Lieut Jack Hollings and son Commander Richard Eustace Hollings RN; with associated papers and photographs

The Medals: Mrs Hollings; British Red Cross medal, O.B.E. medal hallmarked 1918, St John of Jerusalem medal, Italian bronze medal for valour, Italian Medaglia Dell Guerra 1915-1918 (War Medal 1915-1918), Italian Medaglia Della Vittoria Interalleata (Medal of Allied Victory) Medal for the Unification of Italy (Medaglia a Ricordo dell'Unità d'Italia), 1848-1918 with miniature medals plus two miniature medals; 1914- 1918 war medal and the Great War for Civilisation 1914-1919, also badges and pendants; British Red Cross Society & Order of St John enamelled pendant "Gorzia Zagora Cormons 1915 -1916-1917", the reverse "Helena Gleichen, Sezione Quarta, Nina Hollings", Pendant with enamelled red cross "Gorizia 11/8/1916 Ospedale Da Campo N.144," pendant "Wemyss Hospital Chateau ou Fayel 1915," St John of Jerusalem badge, and a badge engraved "A.P.A . P.C & F.M Violatae Caritatis Repartio", two others very worn and a black band. Also sold with Medal group of three medals for her son Lieutenant Jack Herbert Butler Hollings, 1914- 1918 war medal, The Great War for Civilisation Medal, the 1914 Star . JHBH was a Lieut in the 21st Lancers. He was killed in action aged 29, on 30th October 1914 and is remembered at La Brique Military cemetery no 2. and 1914-1915 star for another son Lieut. R. E. Hollings R.N IMPORTANT NOTE FURTHER RESEARCH LEADS US TO BELIEVE THAT THE RED CROSS MEDAL AND MINIATURE WITH THE TWO MINIATURE WWI MEDALS ARE THOSE OF MISS H HOLLINGS WHO WE BELIEVE TO HAVE BEEN A DAUGHTER OF NINA HOLLINGS

Nina Hollings along-side Countess Helena Gleichen ( a great niece of Queen Victoria and cousin of George V) set up the first Red Cross mobile X Ray unit in Italy in the First World War (December 1915 ) and was presented with medals by the King of Italy. She was a redoubtable lady the death of whose son prompted her to heroic actions in Italy in the First World War.

A brief account of her work can be found in "Outposts of Mercy" published for the British Red Cross Society, Methuen & Co Ltd. London 1917.
The following quotation is taken from this publication " Unit IV consists of two intrepid ladies a motor car or so, a soldier servant or so and movable X - ray Apparatus. for nearly a year when I met them and now for more than a year, for they began in December 1915 -- these ladies the Countess Helena Gleichen and Mrs Nina Hollings, have been passing quickly from field-hospital to field hospital with their merciful van -load of magic, and thus making possible swift and accurate operations which but for them would in many cases either never have been performed at all, or have been dangerously if not fatally delayed." There is a description of the Xray work. ".....case no 3423 on Unit IV's books (not bad for two ladies in a foreign war zone in a little under a year!) was carried back to his bed and case no. 3424 was brought in." Their work involved locating bullets by Xray for the surgeons to work on later.

Extract December 16 1916 British Journal of nursing p488
CARE OF THE WOUNDED. MEDAL FOR VALOUR,
A telegram from Rome states that the Military Bulletin announces that the Medal for Valour has been conferred on Countess Helens Glei'chen and Miss Nina Hollings, both belonging to the British X-ray section at the Italian front. The Bulletin gives the following reason for conferring
the decorations :-"They gave their useful and valuable work for the Italian wounded on the Isonzo front, going willingly wherever called, even
crossing zones under artillery fire, and being on several occasions a target for the enemy. They showed courage, intrepidity, and contempt of
danger, always accomplishing their duty with equal self-sacrifice, lofty courage, and devotion."

This lot includes associated papers and photographs as follows: Three page hand written report dated May 31st 1916. Containing an account of casualties, operations, and itemized list of the 316 X-rays performed in that month. Signed Nina Hollings, hand written letter to Mrs Hollings From the Hon. Arthur Stanley C.B. M.V.O. .M.P. then Chairman of the Joint War Committee, commenting on his sadness of her returning to England and his concern, Quote: "that you and Lady Helena were beginning to suffer from the X-rays" A typed letter signed Arthur Stanley congratulating her for her award from the King of Italy. Signed in ink, A letter From Antonio Moradini Italian service man thanking Mrs Hollings and others for his care. Letter From General Il Tenente General Comandante la 2 Armata to Mrs Hollings signed in ink, Hand written letter from General Cattaneo to Mrs Hollings, Mrs Hollings British Red Cross Society & Order of St John Chevron Certificate, three Italian military certificates, twenty nine various photographs to include Mrs Hollings and her colleagues, Italian military commanders, ruins and landscapes all backed on card and the majority tilted with named subjects and monogrammes, and two news cuttings praising Mrs Hollings for her work in Italy.

The family home was Watchetts in Frimley, Surrey.

Additional images available on request by email




Estimate £ 800-1,200

al valore militare there are the letter Z.PG under the shield and on the back engrevd Holllings Nina

Sold for £4800