L
     Widows and orphans 6,536
     Refugees 4,630
     Town relief 3,741
     Seaside fund 2,900
     Churches, convent, schools, etc. 2,900
     Wounded men 2,245
     Small tradesmen 1,765
     Hospital staff, nuns, etc. 1,115
     Colonel Plumer’s Rhodesian column, etc. 1,000

Lady Georgiana Curzon’s eloquent appeal proved to be the salvation of many a family in Mafeking.

The popularity of the fund was enormously helped by the interest of the then Prince and Princess of Wales, now our King and Queen, in the town and in the assistance of the same.  This interest was evinced by the following letters, given to me later by my sister: 

     “TREASURER’S HOUSE,
     “YORK
     “June 20, 1900.

     MY DEAR LADY GEORGIE.

“The Princess and I thank you very much for sending your sister’s letters for us to read.  They are most interesting, and admirably written.  She has certainly gone through experiences which ought to last her a lifetime!  If the papers are correct in stating that you start on Saturday for Madeira to meet her, let me wish you bon voyage.

     “Ever yours very sincerely,
     “(Signed) ALBERT EDWARD.”

The Princess of Wales had already written as follows: 

     “MY DEAR GEORGIE,

“I saw in yesterday’s Times your touching appeal for poor, unfortunate, forsaken Mafeking, in which I have taken the liveliest interest during all these months of patient and brave endurance.  I have therefore great pleasure in enclosing L100 for the benefit of the poor nuns and other inhabitants.  I hope very soon, however, they will be relieved, and I trust poor sister Sarah will be none the worse for all she has gone through during her forced captivity.  Many thanks for sending me that beautifully drawn-up report of your Yeomanry Hospital.  How well you have explained everything!  Hoping to meet soon,

     “Yours affectionately,
     “(Signed) ALEXANDRA."[41]

Some fourteen months after my return home a Gazette appeared with the awards gained during the early part of the war, and great was my delight to find I had been selected for the coveted distinction of the Royal Red Cross.  The King had previously nominated Lady Georgiana Curzon and myself to be Ladies of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, which entitles its members to wear a very effective enamel locket on a black bow; but, next to the Red Cross, the medal which I prize most highly is the same which the soldiers received for service in South Africa, with the well-known blue and orange striped ribbon.  This medal was given to the professional nurses who were in South Africa, but I think I was, with one other exception, the only amateur to receive it, and very unworthy I felt myself when I went to St. James’s Palace with all the gallant and skilful sisterhood of army nurses to share with them the great honour of receiving the same from His Majesty in person.