Nurses Social Union,Nurses pendant badge

A rare enamelled pendant badge for the Nurses Social Union.This was one of the many organisations which sprang up in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries to promote Professional Nursing.I was ,I believe, founded in 1912 and was to change it's name a year later to the National Union of Trained Nurses.It was one of the diverse nursing groups which was seen as a rival to the College of Nursing upon it's formation in 1916.The organisation was dissolved in 1923 but continued to administer grants for several years.This members badge was therefore only in use for a short time.
It consists of a brass and enamel six pointed star with NSU to the centre.This is suspended from an enamelled pin back Suspension bar.This badge is in a good condition although it has been bent at the suspension ring resulting in slight enamel damage to the tip of one star point.The suspension bar has pin and clasp intact,it bears the motto Per Ardua Ad Astra- By Endeavour to the Stars( The same as the Royal Air Force).Makers marks to rear of badge and suspension bar of W.O.Lewis Howard St Birmm.Height 42mm

Code: 51327