Nellie's Medal
Nellie Bounsall Imperial Service
Imperial Service Medal Geo VI
The Woman Nellie Bounsall was born on 7th June 1889 in Old Ford, Bow, London. Daughter of Frederick, a Plate Cleaner, later Auctioneer and Ellen she had one brother, Frederick Arthur. In 1891 the family were living at 1Kelvin Road, Islington and sharing the house with a family of seven, the Dennants. By 1901, Nellie now aged 11 was living at 163 Offord Road still in Islington and by 1911 was working as a National Telephonist for the Post Office. Her appointment was formally confirmed in 1912 and her works number was 87329. Little else is known of Nellie, except that in 1928 she was living at 41 Leaside Avenue, Muswell Hill with her brother and his wife Winifred Anne. In 1934 she was living at 13 Sigdon Road with the Baines family and by 1945 was at 27 Ella Road, Islington with Dora Atkinson and Bettina Bridges, returning to Sigdon Road in 1951 where she remained until at least 1961. Nellie retired from the Post Office as Assistant Supervisor, Class 1 from the London Telecommunications Region in February 1950 aged 60 and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal. She never married and had no children, Nellie died in March 1978 at Sutton, London aged 89.
The Story The Imperial Service Medal awarded to Nellie Bounsall was purchased from a large Flea Market at Alexander Palace in London on 22nd March 1978. It sat within my collection for the next 34 years, until a reorganisation of single medals took place, and the London Gazette and ancestry.com were checked for information. It was then possible to build up the brief biography that appears above. Interestingly, Nellie's medal was purchased the same month in which she died, and it is likely that as a spinster her house was cleared almost immediately following her death and the medal on the market within days. An example, if it were needed, that a simple single medal, is as important as a larger group when attempting to perpetuate the life and deeds of forgotten people.
This medal is one I have only been able to find a minimal amount of detail on. It is in effect 'work in progress' as one day something additional may well be uncovered. Please feel free to contact me should you know of, or have any information on this lady.
The Story The Imperial Service Medal awarded to Nellie Bounsall was purchased from a large Flea Market at Alexander Palace in London on 22nd March 1978. It sat within my collection for the next 34 years, until a reorganisation of single medals took place, and the London Gazette and ancestry.com were checked for information. It was then possible to build up the brief biography that appears above. Interestingly, Nellie's medal was purchased the same month in which she died, and it is likely that as a spinster her house was cleared almost immediately following her death and the medal on the market within days. An example, if it were needed, that a simple single medal, is as important as a larger group when attempting to perpetuate the life and deeds of forgotten people.
This medal is one I have only been able to find a minimal amount of detail on. It is in effect 'work in progress' as one day something additional may well be uncovered. Please feel free to contact me should you know of, or have any information on this lady.
Medal Details:
- Imperial Service Medal: NELLIE BOUNSALL
This page last updated 26 Sep 14