Regular QARANC Officers Tippet Medals

Prior to the change in ward dress regular officers on entry to the Corps were issued with a Tippet Medal to be worn on the right-hand side of the Tippet. These medals were handed back to the Quartermaster on completion of commission. However, officers who had completed 16 years regular service were able to write to the Regimental Secretary requesting to retain their Tippet Medal.

Consequent to the change in uniform no medals were issued thus the right to retain the medal had to cease until ownership/disposal could be clarified. The inception of the Heritage and Chattels Committee of the Association led to the unissued medals being examined, catalogued and to the investigation of ownership. Clarification has now been received - the medals are owned by the Association.

The Association holds a finite collection of 290 medals. There are five manufacturers of the medals, some have Kings crowns and some Queens crowns. The condition varies and many do not have ribbons or a suspender – the museum holds ribbon and the name of a specialist who can supply a suspender.

At the Board of Trustees meeting on the 31^st October 2019 the options for disposal were discussed and a unanimous decision reached:

The best examples from each manufacturer, both Kings and Queens crown are to be retained for the QARANC Heritage Collection. A further 10 medals are to be retained for ceremonial purposes. The remaining medals are to be sealed in an appropriately sized envelope and numbered.  Disposal will mirror the system prior to the change in ward dress.

Nursing Officers who have 16 years regular commissioned service may now apply to receive a Tippet Medal.

The procedure is as follows:

Entitled officers are to write to the Regimental Secretary requesting consideration and enclose with the application.

• Proof of 16 years regular commissioned service as a Nursing Officer.
• A cheque for £10 made payable to the QARANC Association to cover postage and packing.
• Application form.

Once an application has been verified as meeting the eligibility criteria of 16 years regular commissioned service, the Regimental Secretary will randomly select one of the sealed medals (the Regimental Secretary has no knowledge of the age, condition or value of the packed medal) and the medal will be posted ‘next day delivery-to be signed for’. Medals are not to be collected from the Regimental office. Demand is expected to be high and will be based on a first come first served basis. Officers who were issued with the Medal prior to the change in uniform and successfully applied to retain it are excluded from applying for a further medal.