Key Object Page

Medals of Elsie Inglis

Dr Elsie Inglis (1864-1917) was a surgeon (a Licentiate of the three Scottish royal Medical colleges) and a suffragette. She trained in Edinburgh and at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow, working to improve maternity facilities and healthcare for women. She founded a maternity hospital in Edinburgh, staffed only by women. During the First World War, she founded the Scottish Women's Hospital for Foreign Service setting up hospitals for the troops in Serbia and Russia.

The medals, currently on display in the Museum, from left to right are:

From the British Committee of the French Red Cross. Figure mounted on horseback. Blue, black, white and yellow striped ribbon

Medal struck to commemorate the work of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals and presented to the next of kin of their Beloved Founder and Leader, Doctor Elsie Inglis, who died on active service, 26th November 1917” . 2 standing, one kneeling figure. Blue, black tartan ribbon

Order of the White Eagle. V. Presented to Dr Elsie Inglis in April 1916, by the Crown Prince of Serbia. Dr Inglis was the first woman decorated by this Order, which is the highest in the power of Serbia to bestow. White 2 headed eagle, white cross on chest, surmounted by blue ribbons and a white crown

The Great International War Medal

Given by the Russian Government under the late Czar”. Inscription: 1914-1918.