Medal, commemorative medal

This medal was made by John Pinches, who around this time took over the medal producing side of the family business from his older brother Thomas. The medal commemorates the nursing work of Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War. Prior to the war Florence was employed as Superintendent at the Establishment for Gentlewomen During Illness at Harley Street, London. She demonstrated a flare for both nursing and administration, which brought her to the attention of Sidney Herbert, Secretary of State for War. Florence accepted Herbert's invitation to lead a team of nurses in the war after reports published in The Times described appalling conditions in British military hospitals and a shortage of nurses. Florence and her nurses were based at Scutari on the Bosphorus. As in London her role was largely administrative and included procuring clothing and equipment, a difficult task given the disorganised war effort.

After she contracted a serious illness during an inspection of the Crimean field hospitals, The Times created the enduring iconic image of Florence as 'The Lady of the Lamp'. The design on the reverse of this medal, a St George Cross with crown and diamonds bearing the inscription 'Blessed are the Merciful', is reproduced from the brooch given to Florence by Queen Victoria. In an accompanying letter Victoria praised Florence's 'Christian devotion' to duty which Pinches reflects in his pious portrait. After the war Florence used her royal contacts to campaign for reform of the Army Medical Service. She was instrumental in establishing a Royal Commission to investigate and improve the state of military hospitals. Sidney Herbert chaired the commission. A fund consisting of contributions made by members of the public in gratitude for her work in the Crimean War was also used to establish the Nightingale Training School for nurses at St Thomas's Hospital in 1860.