The Medals and associated ephemera of Gladys, Lady Swaythling.Gladys Helen Rachel Montagu (née Goldsmid) (1879-1965), married Louis Montagu, the second Baron Swaythling, scion of an influential banking family and important members of Anglo-Jewry. She carried out much philanthropic and voluntary work, particularly with the Red Cross, forging important links with the Japanese government from the Great War until the outbreak of the Second World War. She was also chair of the Wounded Allies Relief Committee, established to provide convalescent homes for wounded Belgian soldiers. This work is reflected in the medals and important associated ephemera offered here. A large collection of her papers is kept at the University of Southampton, a city with which she had close links and carried out much charitable work. One of her sons, Ewen Montagu, wrote “The Man Who Never Was” which became a famous film. These medals and associated letters have been consigned by her family, with the exception of her CBE and Order of St John medals which have been retained.Japan, the Order of the Sacred Crown, third class, gold and enamel with pearls, butterfly suspender, ribbon and bar, signed Spink & Son, together with small dress rosette, in plush fitted lacquer case of issue (Werlich p.265). Almost as issued, lacking four small pearls, extremely rare.Correspondence shows that Lady Swaythling was only the 71st recipient of the Order, which had been established by Emperor Meiji in 1888 to reward Japanese and foreign ladies for meritorious service.A handwritten letter from Setsuko, Princess Chichibu, dated 9th May 1937, to Lady Swaythling congratulating her on the conferrment of the Order. (Princess Chichibu, 1909-1995, was daughter of Ambassador Matsudaira and a daughter-in-law of the Emperor)A letter from Buckingham Palace dated 2nd June 1937 granting Lady Swaythling “Restricted Permission” to wear the insignia of the OrderA letter from the Japanese Embassy, London, dated 5th July 1938, with a translation of the diploma conferring her appointment to the OrderHandwritten correspondence from Ambassador Tsuneo Matsudaira, an undated letter from the Hyde Park Hotel “Dear Lady Swaythling, Congratulations! It is simply wonderful, yet it is not wonderful if one poses to think what you have done for Japan for so many years. For your private information I may tell you that the good father of our Princess had a great deal to do about the honour you thoroughly deserve. Yours very sincerely, Matsudaira”Japan, Red Cross Yukosho (Order of Merit Medal), silver and enamel, with ribbon, and miniature medal; Red Cross Medal of Special Membership, silver, with rosette on ribbon, and miniature medal, both in lacquer cases of issue. Good extremely fine, toned.(2).Together with two certificates conferring the awards from the Red Cross Society of Japan to Lady Swaythling, dated 27th December 1916, some damage.Further correspondence comprising:A letter from the Japanese Embassy dated 8th June 1933, signed by Ambassador Matsudaira, thanking her for the gift of £25 which she had given “as an expression of the affection to Japan and the deep sympathy with our wounded and sick soldiers in the recent Sino-Japanese incident” (believed to refer to an early action in the second Sino-Japanese War), together with a letter from Prince Iyesato Tokugawa as President of the Japanese Red Cross Society, dated 15th May 1933 and a receipt for her donationA letter from the Japanese Red Cross Relief Corps at Netley dated 23rd December 1915A Japanese Red Cross diplomaA Great War photograph of Lady Swaythling meeting Red Cross nursesSerbia, Kingdom, Order of St. Sava, Commander’s Cross, 3rd issue, silver-gilt and enamel, with ribbon. About as issued, in case of issue from Huguenin.Associated correspondence from the Serb-Croat-Slovene Delegations in Washington and London relating to the conferring of the award, dated 15th & 21st April, 27th June 1925Belgium, Queen Elisabeth Medal, bronze with ribbon, in case of issueWith associated correspondence from the minister at the Belgian Legation in London, dated 12th June 1918, conferring the honour, and an invitation of the same date to receive the honour at his house on 20th June.France, Officier de l'Instruction Publique medal, with ribbon and rosette, in case of issue from Arthur Bertrand & Co. As issued.With the French Government award certificate dated 30th May 1929, in recognition of her services as Vice-President of the Alliance Francaise in Southampton.Full set of dress miniatures, CBE, Order of St John, Order of St Sava, Order of the Sacred Crown , Red Cross Yukosho, Red Cross Order of Special Merit, Officier de l’Instruction Publique, Queen Elisabeth Medal, in a Spink box. About as issued.(8)May League 1892, bronze oval medals (4), with one original box; Great War, Queen Mary’s Needlework Guild enamel badges (3), all different.