The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

apanderson · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:14 am Post subject:

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 10:18 am Post subject:

Anne - do we know anything about BESSIE COLTMAN?
I don't see her on any other memorial or on CWGC/SNWM but I think this might be her medal card.

Medal card of Coltman, Bessie
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve 40456 78 Staff Nurse

Judging by the use of R.R.C. on the memorial she might have been considered a civilian???
_________________
Ken

apanderson · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 10:22 am Post subject:

I haven't had a chance to do any research yet Ken but I wouldn't have known what R.R.C. meant!

dhubthaigh · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 11:37 am Post subject:

THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF NURSING: 14.12.1918
OUR ROLL OF HONOUR

Staff Nurse Bessie Coltman, who died recently at Lenzie, was buried with military honours at Alloa. Miss Coltman transferred from a civilian to a military hospital at the outbreak of war, and had seen service abroad, both in East and Central Africa, and at Malta. For devotion to duty she was awarded the M.B.E. a few months ago.

ENGLAND & WALES NATIONAL PROBATE CALENDAR 1919

COLTMAN Bessie of 47a Ochil Street, Alloa died 26th November 1918 at Lenzie. Confirmation of Jessie Coltman. Sealed London 4 March.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 2:41 pm Post subject:

Well done that man Very Happy

Haven't found her MBE yet but did find this

The London Gazette :2 June 1916 Supplement:29608 Page:5578 & 9
Awarded the Royal Red Cross Decoration.
QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S IMPERIAL MILITARY NURSING SERVICE.
Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class. '
Staff Nurses.
Miss I. J. Baddeley.
Miss E. B. Bagnall.
Miss B. Coltman.
Miss D. M. de Kock.

which explains the R.R.C.
BUT does this mean she is a non-comm??????

Is Tony still active??????
He would know.
_________________
Ken

apanderson · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 3:12 pm Post subject:

Well done those 2 men!!

Note to Ken: Surely not ANOTHER one? Laughing

Anne

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 3:17 pm Post subject:

Just found this on the Great War Forum (posted by Jim Strawbridge in April 2014)
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3929&page=53

thank you for completing my Clackmannanshire requirement by photographing the unmarked grave of Bessie Coltman. I agree with you - the grave is almost certainly unmarked and is the plot that you found. She is nearly one for the In From The Cold team. She served extensively overseas and must have seen some terrible things. She was posted to a UK hospital but after only one day was placed in a mental hospital. She was discharged from the army on the 15th October 1918 due to insanity and she died of influenza on the 26th November 1918.
_________________
Ken

apanderson · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 3:37 pm Post subject:

Clackmannan Burial records are online, see:
http://www.clacksweb.org.uk/community/searchburialrecords/

Bessie Coltman was buried in Sunnyside Cemetery, Section 11, Grave No. 150 on 30th November 1918.

Mike Morley · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2022 7:51 pm Post subject:

Bessie Coltman is included in the CWGC's February Non-Commemorations Update. At present her name hasn't been added to records. https://www.cwgc.org/our-work/news/new-commemorations-update-february-2022/