Illuminated Manuscript : Red Cross Nurse : Florence Nightingale Award : WWI

PANAS, Marie [Mary], née Balli (1850–1930). Le Livre du Souvenir. [Paris, c.1920–21]

Unique illuminated presentation manuscript commemorating the humanitarian and military nursing career of Marie Panas, infirmière-major of the Société de Secours aux Blessés Militaires, recipient of the Croix de Guerre avec palme, Légion d'honneur and one of the inaugural 1920 Florence Nightingale Medals. 

Manuscript throughout in accomplished Gothic calligraphy in black and red inks, heightened in colours and gold, with numerous painted ornaments and representations of decorations; incorporating her service record, Army citation for conduct under bombardment at Furnes, testimonials from senior medical and military officers, post-war relief work at Montdidier, and extensive account of the November 1920 presentation attended by her fellow nurses and prominent figures of the French Red Cross. Signed at the conclusion ‘M. Leparmentier’, presumably the calligrapher/illuminator. 

Contemporary full red morocco gilt, Red Cross device to upper cover, raised bands, spine lettered LE LIVRE DU SOUVENIR, gilt turn-ins and marbled endpapers. Binding by A. Mame & Fils, Tours.

Her recorded career is remarkable: trained by 1905; Toulon Liberté disaster in 1911; Balkan/Greece service; First World War nursing from 1914; service under bombardment in Belgium; an Army citation associated with Foch; post-war relief work among devastated French communities; Légion d'honneur, Croix de Guerre with Palm and Florence Nightingale Medal.

MARIE PANAS RECORD OF EDUCATION & SERVICE

Qualified nurse of the Société de Secours aux Blessés Militaires.

Ordinary Diploma: 6 March 1905
Higher Diploma: 23 May 1907
Voluntary service — unpaid 1907-1911
1911 — Toulon: Relief team for the disaster of the Liberté.
1912 — Campaign in Greece.
1913 — Team leader at Athens and at Préveza (Epirus).
1914 — Leader of Mobile Team No. 10: Besançon – Remiremont.
1915 — Furnes (Belgium): Ambulance 4/12.
1916 — Dunkirk: Bourbourg Hospital (Nord).
1917 — Auto-chirurgical unit No. 91: [several place-names difficult to decipher].
1918–1919 — H.O.E. at Montdidier (Somme).
1919–1920 — Relief post for the devastated regions.

AWARDS RECEIVED

Knight of the Legion of Honour
Croix de Guerre with Palm
Florence Nightingale Medal

That last award is particularly significant: the Florence Nightingale Medal was, and remains, one of the highest international distinctions a nurse could receive.

INCLUDES COMMENDATION FROM THE SOCIETY

"Madame Panas is a nurse of the very highest order, who combines great professional competence, remarkable organisational ability, devotion and generosity without limit.

As head of an important mobile team, wherever she was posted she gave the most valuable assistance to the Medical Officer in command of her unit. By inspiring all the personnel under her with her own strict sense of discipline and enthusiasm for work, she enabled them to make an exceptionally considerable effort.

She furthermore displayed great personal courage and admirable coolness during the repeated bombardments which she underwent successively at Furnes, Dunkirk, [other locations].

After the war Madame Panas settled at Montdidier, amid the ruins, where she directed a permanent relief station and a dispensary serving 26 villages. She contributed towards restoring the morale of the inhabitants and helping them to return.

Madame Panas is a fine example of a nurse who inspired in her superiors, as in those serving under her, as much admiration as respectful affection."

Signed/attributed to the: Société de Secours aux Blessés Militaires

CITATIONS

Army Order

Madame Panas and her team of five nurses displayed the greatest devotion and the greatest calm in caring for the wounded of the ambulances at Furnes (Belgium), despite an almost daily bombardment. They remained at their posts until the moment when the last wounded man had been evacuated.

24 May 1915; (Signed) Foch

This is especially important. It appears to reproduce an official Army citation signed by Ferdinand Foch, who later became Marshal of France and Allied Supreme Commander.

Letter concerning the citation

Addressed:

To Madame Panas
Head Nurse
Bourbourg (Nord)

The letter says:

Madame,

I have just received communication of General Order No. 31 of 24 May, from the General commanding the Provisional Group of the North, which cites you in the Army Order, together with Mesdemoiselles the nurses of the Furnes Ambulance.

I do not need to add anything to the words of praise with which General Foch, with his high authority, has accompanied this citation.

But having witnessed the magnificent devotion displayed at Furnes under your direction by the ladies of the French Red Cross, I wish to express here all my admiration.

This fine example of French solidarity given by you in Belgium had a very special value in the eyes of the Mission charged with representing France alongside the Belgian Army.

Please accept, Madame, the assurance of my most respectful sentiments.

(Signed) Génie/Génie?

The Lieutenant-Colonel
Head of the French Mission attached to the Belgian Army

So this is effectively a congratulatory letter from the head of the French military mission to the Belgian Army, specifically referring to Foch's citation.

CONDITION
Binding very good with no damage. All contents in very good clean condition throughout. Overall very good.

(BS1/TOP)