Lives of the First World War

In Red Cross uniform circa 1919

A photo taken out of uniform at around the time she was serving as a volunteer with the Red Cross - 1920 or later.

Medals of Miss HEM Gore who served with the Red Cross in France 1916-19

Helen Elizabeth Mary Mayne, born 2nd April 1896 (right) in the arms of her mother, Mary Emily Mayne née Caldwell, and beside her brother, Robert Caldwell Maunsell Mayne aged 2, in South India 1896. Mary Emily Mayne was the wife of Bobby Mayne 1865-1932, Superintendent, Madras Police

Helen Elizabeth Mary Gore née Mayne, aged 32 (right) with her mother in the garden of ‘Roslyn’ at Kodaikanal in South India where she was born. Garden flowers: pale pink Belladonna Lilies, Roses, pink Geraniums and blue American Morning Glory. Madras newspaper 1928

Nellie Mayne's MID Certificate "for gallant and distinguished services in the Field" (France) with the British Red Cross Society, signed by Winston S Churchill, Secretary of State for War

This was Nellie Mayne's parents' home in Bexhill when they were not in South India. Nellie went to school at Ancaster House in the town and in November 1914 aged 18 she became a volunteer at the Red Cross Hospital in Bexhill. Nearly 18 months later on the 7th May 1916 she was sent out to France as a VAD, employed initially as an orderly and driver. She remained there for 3 years and was finally released by the BRCS on 1st May 1919. She was Mentioned in Despatches on 16th March 1919 for "gallant and distinguished services in the Field".