| Reference Number | HI/2019-7L-2 |
| Title | First World War Identity Badge of Rita Kavanagh (Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve) |
| Date | 1918 |
| Description | First World War identity badge belonging to Margaret Mary (Rita) Kavanagh. Small metal tag made using a 1 Franc coin. Obverse: the words "1 FRANC" atop an image of an olive branch, surrounded by the words "LIBE[R]TE-EGALITE-FRATE[R]NITE-1918". Reverse: engraved "R. KAVANAGH/R.C./Q.A.I.M.N.S(R)/1916". There are two small, opposing perforations so as to be attached to a chain and worn on the person.
In July 1916, Staff Nurse Margaret Mary (Rita) Kavanagh (1889-1971) from Tralee, Co. Kerry, joined the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve (QAIMNSR) at Napsbury Military/County of Middlesex War Hospital near St. Albans, Hertfordshire and served on the Continent, first with the British Expeditionary Force from March 1918 to February 1919 and then with the Rhine Army until June 1920. She re-applied to serve with the QAIMNSR at the beginning of the Second World War and in 1940 joined the Civil Nursing Reserve at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. |
| Extent | 1 item |
| Dimensions | 23mm (diameter) x 1mm (depth) |
| Digital Collections | View online in our digital collections |
| Copyright | Copyright retained by owner. Please contact RCPI for details. |
| Credit Line | Royal College of Physicians of Ireland |
| Object Name | Badge |
| Term | Identification |
| Engraving and Engravings |
| Coins |
| Nurse Uniforms |
| First World War, 1914-1918 |