An embroidered, cream coloured cloth. Composed of nine panels, in a three by three arrangement, which are linked through an intricate stitched pattern, with a plain cream border around the edge. The central panel is dedicated to the Hospital and features the badge of the Royal Army Medical Corps and the words 'Arduis Fidelius' (Steadfast in Adversity). The other panels represent the different regiments and groups of servicemen in Lloyd’s care (clockwise: Machine Gun Corps, Royal Warwickshire & North Staffs, Worcestershire Regiment, New Zealand Servicemen, Canadian Servicemen, Tanks, Australian Servicemen and the Air Force).

Notes:  The convalescing soldiers of the 1st Southern General Hospital were under the care of Matron Kathleen Grace Lloyd (1877-1976). She was born in Birmingham and trained as a nurse at the General Hospital, Birmingham, where she became Assistant Matron. Lloyd was subsequently appointed Matron at the Southern General. She suggested that the soldiers do needlework as a form of therapeutic care. The soldiers created this cloth for her as a mark of their gratitude.

For her work during the War, Lloyd was awarded the highest nursing decoration, the Royal Red Cross (First Class), and also La Médaille de la Reine Élisabeth avec croix rouge by the King of Belgium. This earned her the nickname ‘Birmingham’s own Lady with the Lamp’, which alludes to Florence Nightingale who received the Royal Red Cross during the Crimean War.

The cloth is made up of nine embroidered panels. The central panel is dedicated to the Hospital and features the badge of the Royal Army Medical Corps and the words In Arduis Fidelis (Steadfast in Adversity). The other panels represent different regiments and groups of servicemen in Lloyd’s care.