Medals belonging to Nurse Bridget Talbot
Kiplin Hall and Gardens
These four medals were all awarded to Bridget Talbot. They include (from left to right): her O.B.E (Order of the British Empire), British War Medal, Victory Medal, and Italian Croce al Merito di Guerra, all commemorating her services during World War One.
During the war, Bridget Talbot became first a Red Cross nurse, then a VAD nurse (Voluntary Aid Detachment). She journeyed to the Austrian-Italian front line where she cared for soldiers and was awarded the Italian Croce al Merito di Guerra. Here, Talbot was in a very dangerous position, as is revealed by her letters which describe a number of ‘near misses’. It has been estimated that around 1500 nurses lost their lives during the war.
The border where Talbot found herself was the site of intense and brutal fighting between the forces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy. Known as the Italian Front or the Alpine Front, it saw some of the most gruelling battles of the war due to its challenging mountainous terrain. Talbot described in one letter:
“We have ‘wounded’ trains loaded up with 200 or 300 men straight out of the trenches most days … They come down in the most awful state.”
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Family connections and childhood
Talbot had strong connections to Kiplin Hall, which was owned by her uncle, Admiral Walter Carpenter, and made regular family visits throughout her childhood. Though from a privileged background, Bridget was made aware of those less fortunate, involved as a child in soup kitchens and making clothes. It is likely that this upbringing led to her strong sense of social conscience which was to underpin the rest of her life.
By the time of World War One, Bridget was approaching the age of 30 and had already been involved in campaigning, for example for greater road safety and for support for the unemployed.
Talbot’s Italian Croce al Merito di Guerra
As a British woman serving abroad during the war, Talbot received the British War Medal. You can find out more about this type of medal elsewhere on the site.
More unusually, she also received the Italian Croce al Merito di Guerra. This was primarily intended to recognise the bravery and service of Italian soldiers. However, there were instances where it was awarded to foreign nationals, especially people who had made significant contributions to the Italian war effort. This included nurses like Talbot who had offered critical medical care or humanitarian assistance to Italian soldiers and civilians affected by the war.
A design features a sword pointing upwards, with oak leaves surrounding it, a symbol of strength. The front shows a five-pointed star, an ancient symbol known as the ‘stella d’Italia’, said to symbolise the shining destiny or future of Italy.
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Talking Points
Have you ever received a medal for something? What sorts of things do we receive medals for nowadays?
Why do you think war medals are collected by museums?
What sort of condition do Talbot’s medals look to be in?
What else would you like to know about Bridget Talbot?
Do we still view medals as very special? How do we know these medals were important to Bridget Talbot?
What sort of medals are most special? Which of Talbot’s medals would you most like to have been awarded? Do you think she had a favourite?
In the Classroom
Design your own
Bridget Talbot also received a British War Medal. Find out more about this type of medal elsewhere on the site, where you can also use the Art Video to create your own badge to honour someone you know.
Hands on History
Discover more about Kiplin Hall and Gardens, or pay them a visit.
You can borrow World War One handling boxes across North Yorkshire, including from:
Scarborough Museums and Galleries,
The Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes.
Scarborough Museums and Galleries also offers a creative workshop on this theme.
You can explore a wide range of war medals from Yorkshire in a specially dedicated exhibition space in The Green Howards Museum and find out the stories of some of their recipients on the museum’s website.
Museum Location
Associated Objects
