Badge: Order of St Michael and St George, 3rd class

Awarded to Surgeon Commander Francis Bolster CMG BA MD RN (1874-1941). Badge: Seven rayed, fourteen pointed, white enamel star. In centre St Michael trampling Satan, surrounded by blue band inscribed: 'AUSPICIUM MELIORIS AEVI'. Reverse: Same motto with St George and the dragon in the centre. Suspended from a watered silk ribbon, Saxon blue with central red stripe. In fitted box of issue.

'For valuable services in various theatres of the war'. London Gazette 22 August 1919.

Francis Bolster (1874-1941) was educated at Midleton College, Cork. He obtained his MD at Dublin in 1905 and joined the Royal Navy with the rank of surgeon in 1907. During the Boxer Rebellion, he served in HMS 'Rosario' and was awarded the China War Medal. He was promoted to Fleet Surgeon 29 November 1911. At the start of World War I, he was employed in the Naval Hospital in Chatham and from August 1914 ran the hospital ship HMS 'China'. From July 1915, he served in HMS 'Warrior'. During the battle of Jutland, the ship came under heavy fire and there were 100 casualties amongst the crew, 68 of whom died. 'Warrior' was taken in tow by HMS 'Engadine' which took off the 743 survivors before the damaged vessel was abandoned and later sank. Bolster later served in 'Leviathan' flagship on the North America and West Indies Station and in August 1918 was temporarily transferred to the Army for duty in France. Between the wars, Francis Bolster was a medical practitioner in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. He married Violet Kathleen Adams and the couple had two children.

Object Details

ID: MED1517
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: Order
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Garrard & Co. Ltd
Date made: Before 1917
People: Bolster, Francis
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 45 mm
Parts: Badge: Order of St Michael and St George, 3rd class
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