A fine Saint John Ambulance Bridge Northamptonshire County Superintendent of Nursing’s 1982 Dame of Grace of The Most Venerable Order of Saint John with related awards, documents and ephemera, as awarded to Mrs. Julia Elizabeth Halford, nee Everard, who from June 1972 was the County Superintendent (Nursing) for Northamptonshire, being appointed a Commander of the Order of Saint John on 21 May 1980, she was elevated to Dame of Grace on 10 November 1982.
The Most Venerable Order of Saint John, Dame of Grace insignia, comprising a lady’s breast badge on bow ribbon and breast star in silver and enamels, housed in its fitted presentation case, complete with its protective tissue inside the lid, and also a forwarding slip from the Grand Priory of the Order, with the compliments of George Hayball, bearing apologies for the delay in dispatching the insignia, and also further inscribed notes.
The Most Venerable Order of Saint John, Commander’s insignia, lady’s breast badge form on bow ribbon, housed in its presentation case.
The Most Venerable Order of Saint John, Serving Officer’s insignia, lady’s breast badge form on bow ribbon, housed in its presentation case, with accompanying miniature medal on bow ribbon.
Service Medal of the Order of Saint John, rhodium plated form, unnamed as issued, this together with one addition five year service bar, mounted swing style on wearing pin. This together with a tunic ribbon bar with the Maltese Cross additional award bar emblem affixed.
A selection of Saint John insignia, to include rank pips and crowns, a Saint John Ambulance Bridge pin, buttons, cap badge, and a pair of collar insignia believed to be for a County Superintendent (Nursing).
Also the following award documents:
Award Certificate for appointment to Dame of Grace within The Most Venerable Order of Saint John, issued in the name of ‘Julia Elizabeth Halford’, dated 10 November 1982, and signed ink by both the Chancellor of the Order, and the Grand Prior, Richard, Duke of Gloucester. This with its forwarding letter from Denis Vere Collings, the Heraldic Artist for the Order, apologising for the long delay in sending the document, dated 8 February 1985, and addressed to Mrs Halford at Orchard Manor, The Jetty, Creaton, Northampton. Also with the original forwarding envelope, addressed to the same, together with the protective card boards.
Award Certificate for appointment to Commander within The Most Venerable Order of Saint John, issued in the name of ‘Julia Elizabeth Halford’, dated 21 May 1980, and bearing facsimile signatures for both the Chancellor of the Order, and the Grand Prior, Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
Order of Saint John appointment document issued to ‘Mrs. Julia Elizabeth Halford’ to be a Superior Officer in the St. John Ambulance Brigade and to perform the duty of County Superintendent (Nursing), dated 24 June 1972. Signed by William Pike, the Commissioner-in-Chief.
Provenance: never before previously sold, acquired by the London Medal Company directly from the family.
Julia Elizabeth Halford, whose surname prior to her marriage was Everard, was born on 30 September 1919 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, she being the daughter and one of five children of Bernard Everard and Florence Julia Fielding Johnson. She married Michael Charles S. Halford in 1940 at Ashby de la Zouch. Later in life she was a prominent member of the Saint John Ambulance Brigade in the area of Northampton, and was appointed County Superintendent (Nursing) for Northamptonshire on 24 June 1972.
Initially awarded the Serving Officer of The Most Venerable Order of Saint John along with the Service Medal of the Order of Saint John with additional five year service bar, she went on to be elevated to a Commander on 21 May 1980, and a Dame of Justice on 10 November 1982. She was then living at Orchard Manor, The Jetty, Creaton, Northampton. Halford died in October 1993 at Northampton. Her husband outlived her and passed away in 2003.
