Medals: 1. Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver and enamels, mounted on original investiture bow; 2. 1914-15 Star (N. Sister J. E. Sword. Can: A.M.C.); 3. British War Medal (N. Sister J. E. Sword.) 4. Victory Medal (N. Sister J. E. Sword.)
Photograph: Nursing Sister J E Sword in Bluebird nursing uniform.
Jean Elizabeth Sword attested into the Canadian Army Medical Corps as a Nursing Sister in September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec and arrived in the UK with the 2nd General Hospital of the 1st Contingent where she was attached to the Duchess of Connaught’s Red Cross General Hospital at Cliveden, Taplow. She was posted to the 2nd General Hospital in Le Treport, France in December 1915 and following medical leave in 1916, she returned to England on 24 October 1916. On 3 November 1916, she was posted to Canada, where, during the following three months it is presumed she and Major John P. Girvan of the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders) came to know one another. Jean returned to England, before John, on 2 February 1917. She subsequently served at a number of medical facilities in England including Monks Horton Convalescent Hospital Westenhanger, 9th Special and 12th General Hospitals Bramshott, 5th General Hospital Kirkdale and the 11th General Hospital Shorncliffe. Nursing Sister Sword had acted as a blood donor on 22 April 1918, but due to general weakness and an irregular heartbeat, she was hospitalized following the transfusion until 26 April, and then granted sick furlough until 6 May 1918. She married Major John P. Girvan, M.C. in London on 6 July 1918, whilst he was attending a Command Officers Course at Aldershot and shortly before he returned to France to take command of his battalion, going on to win the D.S.O. and Bar. Nursing Sister Sword was demobilized in London. the Royal Red Cross medal 2nd Class.
The awarding of the Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.) was published in the London Gazette 21 June 1918: ‘Miss Jean Elizabeth Sword, Nursing Sister, Can. Nursing Service, No. 12 Can. Gen. Hospl., Bramshott, Hants.’
