Of the many ways there are of preserving nursing history - Collecting "Badges; belts; buckles (the latter unfortunately were rarely marked in any way traceable to a hospital or individual nurse); buttons; uniforms - capes; caps; dresses and even aprons, stamps; first day covers; books and outdated official documents - certificates of nurse training and registration, and enrolment, training syllabuses; books, pamphlets and outdated official documents" - have all been suggested in the past two 'collecting' columns. Personally, I find the collection of the history of a nursing career the most fascinating - the one which I feel is the most rewarding - a 'Nurse History'.
The one which, to my mind, allows an expression of
warm appreciation to someone who has often spent a lifetime helping others.
Only, at the end of the day, to be consigned, unremembered after only a
brief time, to forgotten history.
What better way of preserving nursing history than that of the individual
nurse is there? None, I think...
But it is probably the most complex. The one to be
avoided unless you have the necessary expertise. The knowledge and ability.
The time and facilities. The genuine desire (not curiosity) and the will to
see things through to conclusion. An understanding of both nursing and
nurses. This is the one that provides the greatest challenge. Best
perhaps carried out by those who have been through the system. Nurses.
At the same time I would urge anyone who leans in this direction not to
under-estimate the difficulties, or over-estimate their own abilities.
Both mistakes are serious. Both will lead to disappointment. And
collectively the effect will more than likely be to - as any researcher of
experience will repeat - muddy the field for others.
It will probably cause those who can often help most in collating a nurses
history - the family, colleagues, and friends of a nurse - refusing future
help to anyone. To cause that is almost unforgivable. It may well lead to the
loss of a nurses history for all time. A deserving biography lost....
On future collecting pages, I will be presenting the steps needed in
collecting an individual nurse's history; the personal qualities and the
facilities needed; the difficulties - how to become a successful nurse
biographer. The pleasures of success!
But for now, lets have an initial taste of success! Right now I have
six superb individual histories - nurse biographies, in the pipeline. They
did not just fall from the sky however, and the first pleasures came from
finding them.
The first to arrive, perhaps two years ago now, was Nurse Leila M. Hyde - a
Haygarth silver medalist at Chester Royal Infirmary in 1925. I was almost
struck dumb when I acquired her other badges, including her Chester Royal
Hospital badge! Slowly progressing.
A second was Nurse Blakeway - A
Bristol United (Southmead) Hospital nurse - a 1932 Gold Medalist. Her nephew
supplied a little information, including that she was an army nurse in WW2
an subsequently emigrated to Australia. And her photograph. What superb
trace elements! Some progress made.
The third was Nurse M. Brown, Beckett Miners Hospital. Her badges; a
photograph and some other paperwork provide more clues. Progressing.
A fourth was Miss Catherine (Katie) Roberts, a welsh nurse whose career
spanned at least 31 years. Progressing a superb history.
The fifth was Miss Elsie Fletcher who ended her career as Matron of
New Hall Hospital, Southport. A 1936 Medal awarded to her started the chase.
Started - feels outstanding.
The sixth was Mary Ellen Watkin who
retired as a St Bartholomew's (London) nurse after a career including also
Tigne Hospital, Malta as a VAD nurse in WWI and Tower Hospital, Liverpool
nursing injured soldiers in WWII. Progressing - stunning!
A little while before I acquired Mary Ellen
Watkin's (Mollie) St Bartholomew's Hospital (1922)(gold) prize medal, an
absolutely superb collection of her Bart's Hospital memorabilia was sold on ebay. I missed it...
For a second time recently I have to say - Forgive me?
I never will....
WB.
Another Photograph from the past...This time
Hospital Cadets from 1958
Almost 51 years ago... October 158
saw this group of Hospital Cadets with their responsible Nursing Officer
(Assistant Matron Mary Glass) and supervisor V. Loundes posing for this
photograph in front of the patient's library at Parkside Hospital,
Macclesfield, Cheshire. All wanted a career in nursing - most
made it but at least 3 joined the armed forces and two joined the police
force - one in the Military Police. Two of those joining the services gained
top awards. Go to 'Photo Gallery.
Left to right/Front Row to Back
Back Row: 21.Colin
Pritchard. 22.Peter Wheeldon. 23.Stella Ratcliffe. 24.Ian Slater. 25.Wilf
Burgess.
Fifth Row: 19.Stella Clarke.
20.Ian Madden.
Fourth Row: 14.unamed. 15.Margaret Jackson. 16.Heather Whitfield.
17.Marjorie Oaks. 18.Joan Mellor.
Third Row: 9.Jennifer Baker. 10.David Roberts. 11.Steven Howard. 12.Perl
Morris.
13.Isobel Burgess.
Second Row: 5.Norma Hammond. 6.Pat Poynton. 7.Ilene Potts. 8.Faith
Hope.
Front Row (sitting): 1.Elizabeth Dyer . 2.Mary Glass. 3.V. Loundes.
4.Janet Capper.
*Can anyone help? We have
one uncertainty in our identifications. Position number 14. Please tell us if you know.
Well, that seems yet another very pleasant note upon which to end the third
Schools of Nursing Site News, so for now I will say goodbye and wish you all
well. Oh, and don't forget that we start some new pages next month
here at schoolsofnursing.
WB.