description
Physical description
medal, note and fitted case of issue
(See) MODEL OMD 968
History note
This MBE (Military Division) in the form of a ladies award, was sent to the Imperial War Museum by the Senior Co-ordinating Chaplain to The Middlesex Hospital. The MBE, in its box of issue, was left in the Chapel of the Middlesex Hospital on Remembrance Sunday 1999. The Chaplaincy, unable to trace the person who left it, took it into their care and, during the course of Remebrance Week 2000, contacted the Museum and offered it to us. The significance of the MBE, which is a ladies pattern, is that written on a card inside the box is the following information: 'MARTHA Chinease (sic)girl, Died Bamdeong Central Java AGE 16 Years. CAPTURE HELPING BRITISH POW's of 95th BATTERY 48th LAA ROYAL ARTILLERY OUR OFFICERS SAID AT KOAN SCHOOL POW CAMP BAMDEONG When we get Home MARTHA will GET ALL THE Medals under The Sun. Not Forgotton.' On the ribbon of the MBE, in biro, is inscribed 'MARTHA JAVA 1942'
After some discussion with the Chaplain, it was agreed that the Museum would accept this medal into its collections.
Printed (in ink on ribbon)
MARTHA
JAVA 1942
