Presentation of the British Empire Medal
to Mrs Elsie Marion Hensman

A transcription of the presentation
held in the Dining Room, Rushden Hospital, at 4pm, Thursday, October 27th, 1977

Mrs Hensman receiving her BEM from Lt. Col. John Chandos-Pole

Mrs Pauline Newnes  (Area Health Authority)

Please do sit.

My Lord Lieutenant, Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the Northamptonshire Area Health Authority, I welcome you here today to this special occasion, in particular, I welcome the Lord Lieutenant, Lt. Col. Chandos-Pole who, as Her Majesty the Queen’s official representative of this county, will shortly be presenting the British Empire Medal to Mrs Elsie Hensman.  I am delighted that so many friends and colleagues of Mrs Hensman are able to be here today to witness this presentation by the Lord Lieutenant in this memorable Silver Jubilee Year.  We are privileged to share with you, Mrs Hensman, the pride and the happiness of this joyous occasion.  I now have very much pleasure in introducing the Lord Lieutenant on the county of Northamptonshire, Lt. Col. Chandos-Pole, and ask him on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen to present the British Empire Medal to ELSIE HENSMAN.

Lt. Col. John Chandos-Pole  (Lord Lieutenant of the County of Northamptonshire)

As Mrs Newnes has told you I’ve come here this afternoon by Command of the Queen to present to Mrs Hensman the British Empire Medal which Her Majesty has awarded her.  Before I make the presentation I would ask the Clerk of the Lieutenancy to be so kind as to read out the account of the services for which the medal has been awarded.

Mr Greenwell  (Chief Exec. Northamptonshire County Council)

Mrs Hensman has established over the past fifty years a unique record of voluntary service to Rushden Hospital.  She began in the 1920s with occupational therapy.  In 1934 she joined the Rushden Aftercare Committee.  In 1951 she undertook yet further work by becoming Hospital Librarian and has built up a stock of five thousand books.  Her activities still encompass fund raising for the Hospital League of Friends.  From her retirement in 1946 she has visited the Hospital daily on foot to give of her services.  The devoted contribution she has made to patients welfare is incalculable.

Lt. Col. John Chandos-Pole

Mrs Elsie Marion Hensman, it gives me the greatest pleasure to obey Her Majesty’s Command to present you with this British Empire Medal.

Very many congratulations.  (He pins the medal on Mrs Hensman).

The Queen has also sent a letter for you, would you like me to read it?

Mrs Hensman

Yes please.

Lt. Col. John Chandos-Pole

It comes from Buckingham Palace.

I greatly regret that I am unable to give you personally the award which you have so well earned.  I now send you my congratulations and my best wishes for your future happiness.  Signed Elizabeth R. and addressed to Mrs Elsie Hensman B.E.M.

Mrs Newnes

Thank you, Sir, for your kindness in performing a very pleasant duty.  Many of us feel very humble knowing Mrs Hensman’s work with, and for, the patients of this Hospital over so many years, as you have heard, over fifty years of continuous unpaid voluntary service to this Hospital and Voluntary Care Committee.  We’ve heard that she became the Librarian in1951 and now there is a Library of over five thousand books.  She remains the Chairman of the Friends of the Rushden Hospital andj still each day comes to visit the patients on this Hospital, remaining an active and, might I say, a much loved, voluntary worker, and all at the age of ninety-three.  What a wonderful record she has and, my Lord Lieutenant, Ladies and Gentlemen, what a shining example to all.  My congratulations to you Mrs Hensman.

Now I have a letter her which I’ve been asked to read.  Mr Morris had hoped to be here on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Social Services.  He’s unable to be present and I have been asked to read this letter and, if you’ll bear with me, it reads as follows:

Dear Mrs Hensman, I hoped to be able to come to Rushden Hospital tomorrow to represent the Secretary of State for Social Services at the presentation by the Lord Lieutenant of the B.E.M. to you.  I am sorry to say that I have to attend an important meeting in London during the afternoon and that it will be consequently not possible for me to attend.  I am writing to convey the message which I had hoped to be able to deliver personally to you at the reception.  The Secretary of State has asked me to pass on to you his sincere congratulations on your award, your outstanding service over many years to Rushden Hospital has undoubtedly brought great comfort to patients there and has illustrated the value of the contribution that can be made to Health Services by willing volunteers.  I should like to add my own congratulations to those of the Secretary of State.  I am sorry that I am unable to meet you tomorrow to give you my good wishes personally.  Yours sincerely, D.J. Morris.

No doubt you would like to have this letter.

Mrs Hensman

Thank you.

Mrs Newnes

Might I now invite all of you please to stay with us for a short time.  It does seem as though, you know, it has gone very, very quickly these few moments, but I’m sure that many of you would like to meet Mrs Hensman once again and convey your own personal congratulations to her, and so tea will be served in the room next door and we hope you will stay and have a cup of tea and light refreshments.

Thank you very much, Sir, for being with us.