{"product_id":"illuminated-manuscript-red-cross-nurse-florence-nightingale-award-wwi","title":"Illuminated Manuscript : Red Cross Nurse : Florence Nightingale Award : WWI","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePANAS, Marie [Mary], née Balli (1850–1930). Le Livre du Souvenir. [Paris, c.1920–21]\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnique 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eManuscript 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eContemporary 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 \u0026amp; Fils, Tours.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHer 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMARIE PANAS RECORD OF EDUCATION \u0026amp; SERVICE\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eQualified nurse of the Société de Secours aux Blessés Militaires.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOrdinary Diploma: 6 March 1905\u003cbr\u003eHigher Diploma: 23 May 1907\u003cbr\u003eVoluntary service — unpaid 1907-1911\u003cbr\u003e1911 — Toulon: Relief team for the disaster of the Liberté.\u003cbr\u003e1912 — Campaign in Greece.\u003cbr\u003e1913 — Team leader at Athens and at Préveza (Epirus).\u003cbr\u003e1914 — Leader of Mobile Team No. 10: Besançon – Remiremont.\u003cbr\u003e1915 — Furnes (Belgium): Ambulance 4\/12.\u003cbr\u003e1916 — Dunkirk: Bourbourg Hospital (Nord).\u003cbr\u003e1917 — Auto-chirurgical unit No. 91: [several place-names difficult to decipher].\u003cbr\u003e1918–1919 — H.O.E. at Montdidier (Somme).\u003cbr\u003e1919–1920 — Relief post for the devastated regions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAWARDS RECEIVED\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKnight of the Legion of Honour\u003cbr\u003eCroix de Guerre with Palm\u003cbr\u003eFlorence Nightingale Medal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat last award is particularly significant: the Florence Nightingale Medal was, and remains, one of the highest international distinctions a nurse could receive.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eINCLUDES COMMENDATION FROM THE SOCIETY\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Madame Panas is a nurse of the very highest order, who combines great professional competence, remarkable organisational ability, devotion and generosity without limit.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe furthermore displayed great personal courage and admirable coolness during the repeated bombardments which she underwent successively at Furnes, Dunkirk, [other locations].\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMadame 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.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSigned\/attributed to the: Société de Secours aux Blessés Militaires\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCITATIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArmy Order\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMadame 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e24 May 1915; (Signed) Foch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLetter concerning the citation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAddressed:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo Madame Panas\u003cbr\u003eHead Nurse\u003cbr\u003eBourbourg (Nord)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe letter says:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMadame,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI do not need to add anything to the words of praise with which General Foch, with his high authority, has accompanied this citation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease accept, Madame, the assurance of my most respectful sentiments.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e(Signed) Génie\/Génie?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Lieutenant-Colonel\u003cbr\u003eHead of the French Mission attached to the Belgian Army\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo this is effectively a congratulatory letter from the head of the French military mission to the Belgian Army, specifically referring to Foch's citation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCONDITION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBinding very good with no damage. All contents in very good clean condition throughout. Overall very good.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e(BS1\/TOP)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Gently Mad Book Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64207200518521,"sku":null,"price":1250.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/thegentlymadbookshop.co.uk\/products\/illuminated-manuscript-red-cross-nurse-florence-nightingale-award-wwi","provider":"The Gently Mad Book Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}