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A recent purchase, a rare QSA to a Religious Sister. The medal was converted to a coin at some time. Apart from some damage in the form of shallow cuts to the rim between 12 and 3 o'clock, and the suspender being removed and the hole filled, it is in a very good condition and can be restored to its original state.
I found some biographical information, which was not easy with only Ella to go on.
Ella Bramley was born in Caledon on the 2nd May 1858, her parents were listed on her baptismal certificate as Rev. William and Edith Bramley
She died on the 5th September 1932 at St Michaels Home, Bloemfontein, at the age of 74. The death certificate lists her occupation as Sister of Mercy

During the Boer War, the 8 nuns and 4 civilian nurses at St Michaels Home, as well as the 16 nuns at the Roman Catholic Convent in Bloemfontein administered to the sick especially during the occupation of Bloemfontein and the subsequent typhoid pandemic that followed, which overwhelmed the existing military medical facilities.
Their work was of such a great nature that Lord Roberts saw fit to mention them in his despatch of 16th April 1901.

I have only come across 3 other medals to these Bloemfontein sisters, Sister Frances Mary, Sister Frances Louise (St Michaels Home) and Sister Raphael (Catholic Convent)

What a fascinating medal, Jon, and, as you say, readily restorable.

Picture courtesy of Baldwin's

QSA (0) (Miss B. Wells.), impressed naming;
1939‑45 Defence Medal, unnamed as issued;

Sold with original letters, which describe her time in South Africa, being cut off, ammunition resupply, there is her Authority To bear arms, a very small, mostly civilian photograph album, envelopes, the award slip for the 1939‑45 Defence Medal and a letter to Mr Wells, Beatrice’s Father which says: ‑.

47 Portland Place.

5th April 1903.

Dear Sir, Thank you very much for so kindly sending me a copy of your daughter’s letter – It is most interesting, and shows her well Miss Wells deserves the War Medal.

Your Truly.
Roberts FM (Field Marshall).

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (0) (Nursing Sister Mrs Rising) officially re-impressed naming

Mrs Lucy Rising was a Nursing Sister at Mafeking during the period of the defence. Her husband, Alfred Charles Rising, was in the Mafeking Town Guard and received the medal with one clasp for the Defence of Mafeking.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (0) (Nursing Sister N. Braidwood.)

Worked in the Johannesburg Hospital as a civilian nurse. QSA verified on WO100/229p144.

Noonan's sold the QSA to Sister Evangelist for a hammer price of £1,800. Totals (inc VAT for UK only): £2,318. R45,000. Au$3,840. Can$3,390. US$2,570

She served during the siege of Mafeking, the convent being used as a hospital.



Source: The Graphic, 17 February 1900


Pictures courtesy of Noonan's