Robe, Ceremonial
Description
A black full length ceremonial Order of St John Commander of the Order robe with a gathered neck, high collar and cord neck ties and tassels. A large white fabric and a thread embroidered Amalfi Cross has been stitched onto the right facing breast area.
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Object detail
Classification
Collection
Credit line
This
Commander
of
the
Order
robe
belonged
to
Jesse
Somerton.
Commander
of
the
Order
was
the
highest
ranking
position
in
Taranaki
during
its
time.
It
is
below
only
the
rank
of
of
Knight.
This
robe
was
worn
at
investitures
where
members
of
the
Order
were
admitted
for
life.
The
Governor
General
as
the
representative
of
the
crown
and
members
of
the
Priory,
who
wore
these
gowns,
officiated
at
the
ceremony.
Jessie
Somerton
was
made
a
life
member
of
St.
John
in
1973.
She
was
promoted
to
a
Serving
Sister
in
1977
and
was
the
commissioner
of
St.
John
in
Taranaki
from
1982-87.
She
was
the
first
Chairman
of
the
New
Plymouth
Area
Committee
on
its
inception
in
1987.
In
her
professional
life
she
was
a
Nursing
Sister
and
Midwife.
Accession number
PA2004.134
Collection type
Material
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