Nurse’s badge found in Demelza shop suitcase reunited with family
A couple who found a 76-year-old nurse’s badge in a Demelza shop suitcase have reunited it with the owner’s family.
Les Chandler volunteers at Demelza’s Larkfield distribution centre and bought the suitcase from there to take on a cruise – where he and partner Ros were getting married.
The 69-year-old said he had been buying cases whenever he saw them come into the shop as they needed several bags to take everything with them to decorate their wedding.
On looking in one of the cases, the couple found a nurse’s watch and badge, complete with the nurse’s name, number and year of issue – 1950.
The nurse’s name was Maud Munn, so Les and Ros set out on a mission to reunite the items with her. They shared photos of the items on Facebook and it didn’t take long before someone got in touch with Ros saying they were a relative of Maud.
From speaking with her family, Les learned that she was born in Darenth.
Les said: “We got in contact and it turns out that Maud had done nursing all around the world - she nursed in Iran, Australia, New Zealand, Gibraltar and ended up being a matron in Jersey and living on the Isle of Wight.
“Her family told us they used to go and visit her in Jersey – that was their family holiday.”
After getting in touch, the family came over to meet Les and Ros in Larkfield and they returned the items to them.
“No one can work out how that badge and watch ended up in Demelza Larkfield,” Les added.
“They just can’t understand it. The nearest relatives are in Chatham, although she did move back to Dartford towards the end of her life.
“It was really surprising to discover it and bizarre to get to meet the family, but they now have the badge and the watch and they were really grateful to have them returned.”
Les has volunteered for Demelza’s Larkfield shop for almost two years. He applied after Ros popped in when the shop first opened and found out they needed people to help.
He describes working there as being part of a real community and said the staff go over and above – they even found Ros’s wedding dress there and the team helped her choose it and try it on.
“The people I’ve met are the best thing,” he said. “It’s a great way to be part of the community and it keeps me busy, it’s good to keep active.”
Demelza has plenty of volunteering opportunities across its shops and hospices and there’s something for everyone.
“The people I’ve met are the best thing. It’s a great way to be part of the community and it keeps me busy, it’s good to keep active.”
