A RARE war medal will be on display in Brightlingsea Museum after residents joined forces to win it in an auction.

The Victory Medal belonging to Clara Godling, from Brightlingsea, will go on display after staff placed a winning bid of £300.

The medal itself is not rare, but it is unusual because it was given to a woman.

Clara, who was born in 1886, served with the Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps but died just four days before the war ended.

Now the group of donors have ensured her medal will remain in Brightlingsea so people can learn more about her life and sacrifice.

The museum’s curator Margaret Stone, who has researched Ms Godling’s life for a display, said: “She was the only Brightlingsea woman who lost her life in the service in the First World War.

“I couldn’t find out very much about her. It is really nice we’ve got the medal.

“It’s an acknowledgement for all of the women in the First WorldWar from Brightlingsea.”

At least eight people and groups donated money to buy the medal, but Ms Stone would not reveal who.

The medal went under the hammer at Reeman Dansie, in Colchester’s Severalls Industrial Estate.

Ms Stone said: “It was really interesting. I haven’t been to an auction before.

It went for a fair price.”

The museum team are keen to find out more about Clara.

Anyone with information about her or her family or photographers is asked to contact the museum on 01206 303286.