A rare example of the Coronation Medal 1911 in Silver, a Ladies issue, awarded to Lady Margaret Eliza Erskine, the wife of Admiral of the Fleet Sir James Fisher, K.C.B., who as the wife of an Admiral of the Fleet, was one of seven wives of officers of this rank to as such be awarded the Coronation Medal 1911. Her husband died later that same year.
Coronation Medal 1911 in Silver, rim appears to be officially engraved in upright capitals; (MARGARET E. ERSKINE), mounted on original ladies issue bow ribbon.
Condition: Good Very Fine or better.
Lady Margaret Eliza Erskine, was born Margaret Eliza Constable on 6 October 1860 in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, and took the surname of Erskine in 1885 when she married Commodore James Erskine, Royal Navy. She was the daughter of the Reverend John Constable, and Emily Ann Walker.
At the time of her marriage in Frome, Somerset on 21 May 1885, her husband had command on the Australia Station and had just returned from the Pacific and an Colonial territorial expedition to New Guinea which then became a Protectorate. Her husband would be promoted to Rear Admiral in January 1886, Vice Admiral in February 1892, and became Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station from May 1895, being Knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in June 1897. Promoted to full Admiral in August 1897, he was ultimately promoted to Admiral of the Fleet in October 1902, and retired in December 1908.
Nevertheless as the wife of an Admiral of the Fleet, Lady Erskine was one of seven wives of officers of this rank to as such be awarded the Coronation Medal 1911. The other wives were Lady Hotham, Lady Noel, Lady Fanshawe, The Lady John Hay, Lady Salmon, and The Lady Fisher of Kilverstone.
Admiral of the Fleet Sir James Fisher, K.C.B., died on 25 July 1911 in Venlaw in Peebleshire. They had one son, Commander David Victor Fairfax Erskine of the Royal Navy, and one daughter, Izmé Veronica Doreen Erskine. Their daughter served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service in the First World War, founded the first Girl Guide group in Scotland, and worked for charitable causes, including housing former prisoners. Lady Erskine died on 5 April 1939 in Chelsea, London.
