Maud Adeline Cloudesley Brereton (1872 - 1946) – British health consultant

During the First World War, Maud worked for the Ministry of Food, helping to keep the nation healty and well nourished in spite of food shortages.

Born Maud Adeline Ford in St. John’s Wood, London in 1872, Maud’s parents were Matthew Ford, a land steward, and his wife Ellen Catherine Ford.  Maud had the following siblings: Henriette E., b. 1877, William Henry, b. 1878, Charles Reginald, b. 1880, Frances Elsie, b. 1883, Algernon Leslie, b. 1885 and Hilda Mary, b. 1886.

Educated at Hockerill College, Bishop’s Stortford, Maud became a teacher.  In 1893, she was the first headmistress of St. Andrew’s Girls’ School in Willesden.  After two other teaching posts, Maud joined the staff of Homerton Training College, Cambridge as Bursar.  There, she married Charles Horobin, who was Principal of the College, and they had a daughter and two sons.  Charles died suddenly in 1902 and Maud then became Acting Principal of the College. 

On 12th November 1904, Maud married Cloudesley Shovell Henry Brereton. They had two sons and a daughter. Cloudesley was a graduate of Cambridge, Paris and Lille, an inspector of schools, an author and a lecturer at home and overseas. Maud and he had two sons.

In 1911, a group of British gas managers made advertising history by establishing a collective organization dedicated to the promotion of a single industry. The British Commercial Gas Association directed its campaigns at various consumer groups, including builders, architects, and tenants. To present the "woman’s point of view" to their female customers, the B.C.G.A. executive hired Maud as editor-in-chief of thei monthly publicity magazines.

Maud anticipated that gas technology, in the form of cookers, water boilers, and gas fires, had the potential to raise housing and nutrition standards for all classes. She felt that gas appliances had the potention to help the middle classes in their struggle to keep up appearances and reduce the need for live-in staff.  She also promoted modern technology to improve the health of the population. Maud maintained that technology made possible a "domestic revolution," by significantly reducing the time and effort that women, as both servants and housewives, expended on housework. Time saved on housekeeping might be directed to more profitable and gratifying pursuits, including paid employment or voluntary service, extending women’s influence beyond the private sphere.

Maud, who was a close friend of Marie Stopes and supported Marie’s birth control ideas, became a journalist and edited “Mothers’ Magazine”, as well as “Gas Journal”.    She became an expert in child welfare and worked as a consultant.  During the First World War, Maud worked for the Ministry of Food, helping to keep the nation healty and well nourished in spite of food shortages.

After the War, Maud wrote “The Future of our Disabled Sailors and Soldiers: A Description of the Training and Instruction Classes at Queen Mary’s Convalescent Hospitals, Roehampton and at Queen Mary’s Workshops, Pavilion Militayry Hospital, Brighton, for Sailors and Soldiers who have lost their Limbs in the War”.

The only female Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Sanitary Engineers, Maud was also a member of the Royal Institute of Public Health, and Chair of the Association for Education in Industry and Commerce. She was decorated Officier d’Académie by the French Government for international services to public health.

Maud wrote several books, among them “The Mother’s Companion”, “Clean Kitchen Management: The Preservation of Food” and “Cooking by Gas”.

Maud died on 16th April 1946 in Norfolk.

Her daughter, Norah Maud Horobin, followed her mother’s early calling as headmistress of two girls’ High Schools before ending her career as headmistress of Roedean School in Brighton from 1947-61.

https://homerton250.org/people/maud-brereton/

Olga Alexandrovna (1882 - 1960) - Russian Artist and Nurse in WW1

With thanks to Historian Debbie Cameron for telling me about Olga.

 Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia (Russian: О́льга Алекса́ндровна; 13 June [O.S. 1 June] 1882 – 24 November 1960) was born ‘in the purple’ (i.e., during her father's reign) on 13 June 1882 in the Peterhof Palace, west of central Saint Petersburg. She was the youngest child of six children born to Emperor Alexander III of Russia and his wife Empress Marie, formerly Princess Dagmar of Denmark, daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark.

Olga was raised at the Gatchina Palace outside Saint Petersburg. Her relationship with her mother was strained and distant from childhood, Her mother, advised by her sister, Alexandra, Princess of Wales, placed Olga in the care of an English nanny, Elizabeth Franklin.  Olga and her siblings were taught at home by private tutors.  She studied art with art teachers K.V. Lemokha, V.E. Makovsky, S.Yu. Zhukovsky and S.A. Vinogradova. The Imperial Russian children had a large extended family and often visited the families of their British, Danish, and Greek cousins.

Tsar Alexander III died when Olga was 12, and her brother Nicholas became emperor. Olga’s elder brother Nicholas became Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. King George V of Britain and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia were first cousins.  Their mothers, Alexandra and Dagmar, were sisters, which explains why George and Nicholas looked so much alike. They were the daughters of King Christian IX of Denmark and his wife Queen Louise, who was of German heritage. Princess Alexandra married Queen Victoria’s eldest son, Edward, who became King Edward VII and George was their son. Princess Dagmar married Tsar Alexander’s son, who became Tsar Alexander III and Nicholas was their son.

In 1901, she married Duke Peter Alexandrovich of Oldenburg. The couple led separate lives and their marriage was eventually annulled by the Emperor in October 1916. The following month, Olga married cavalry officer Nikolai Kulikovsky, with whom she had fallen in love several years before.

During the First World War, the Grand Duchess served as an army nurse at the Russian Front and was awarded a medal for personal gallantry. At her own expense, Olga opened the First Evgenyivsky Hospital, in which she worked as a nurse. Even at the Front, the Grand Duchess devoted her free time to her watercolours, often painting scenes in the hospital and portraits of officers.

At the downfall of the Romanovs during the Russian Revolution of 1917, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich (Sandro), and Grand Duchess Olga traveled to the Crimea where they were joined by Olga’s sister (Sandro’s wife) Grand Duchess Xenia. They lived at Sandro’s estate, Ai-Todor, where they were placed under house arrest by the local Bolshevik forces. On August 12, 1917, Olga’s first child Tikhon Nikolaevich was born during their house arrest.

Olga’s brother, brother, Tsar Nicholas II and his family were shot by revolutionaries.

Olga escaped from Russia with her second husband and their two sons in February 1920. They joined Olga’s mother, the Dowager Empress, in Denmark. In exile, Olga acted as companion and secretary to her mother, and was often sought out by Romanov impostors who claimed to be her dead relatives. She met Anna Anderson, the best-known impostor, in Berlin in 1925. After the Dowager Empress's death in 1928, Olga and her husband purchased a dairy farm in Ballerup, near Copenhagen. She led a simple life - raising her two sons, working on the farm and painting. During her lifetime, she painted over 2,000 works of art, which provided extra income for both her family and the charitable causes she supported.

In 1948, the Soviet Union notified the Danish Government that Olga was accused of conspiracy against the Soviet Government.  Feeling threatened by Joseph Stalin's regime, Olga emigrated with her immediate family to a farm in Ontario, Canada. Later Olga and her husband moved to a bungalow near Cooksville, Ontario. Colonel Kulikovsky died there in 1958. Two years later, as her health deteriorated, Olga moved with devoted friends to a small apartment in East Toronto. She died aged 78, seven months after her older sister, Xenia.

I am trying to find paintings done by Olga during her time at the Front in WW1, so that I can add hr to my list of Artists of the First World War.

Self portrait.

Sarah MacNaughtan (1864 - 1916) WW1 heroine remembered

First World War volunteer worker Sarah Broom MacNaughtan, a writer, is being remembered by the Widnes Wild Women's Ice HockeyTeam, after the Widnes Planet Ice Rink's Poet in Residence, Lucy London, suggested naming the Team's Match Day Awards in Sarah's honour.

Photos by P. Breeze show (left) Lucy presenting the MVP (Most Valued Player) Award to Widnes player Victoria Venables, and (below) Amy Moran of the Whitley Bay Squaws Ice Hockey Team on 9th December 2018, Planet Ice, Widnes.

To find out more about Sarah MacNaughtan see https://inspirationalwomenofww1.blogspot.com/search… To find out more about Widnes Wild Women's Ice Hockey Team see http://www.widneswild.co.uk/wildwomen/ and to find out more about Whitley Bay Squaws Ice Hockey Team, see https://whitleybaysquaws.wordpress.com/

Edith Smith (1876-1923) – Britain’s first warranted Woman Police Officer - served during WW1

A wonderful article written by Stuart Allen, a membr of The Runcorn & District Historical Society, who contacted me recently, knowing of my interest in Edith. Stuart has given me permission to share his article with you:

“Edith Smith was the first female police officer in Great Britain with full power of arrest.  She was born on 21st November 1876 in the village of Oxton, Birkenhead, Wirral, at 9 Rose Mount. She was the daughter of James Smith, a Westmoreland man who ran his own local nursery and seed business, and his wife, Harriett (née Peake), who was from Camden Town, London.

About six years after Edith was born, the family were living at 18 Palm Hill, where she spent most of her young life, and from where her father ran his business in the shop attached to the building next door. The shop also doubled as a Post/Telegraph Office.

On the 5th December 1897 Edith married William Smith who came from Wainfleet, Lincolnshire. By 1901 they were living at the Post Office in Wellington Road, Oxton where Edith worked as the sub-post mistress. William ran a stationer's and tobacconist's shop from the premises. Wiliam died in 1907 aged just 42, leaving Edith to bring up their four children Frances (b.1899), Victorine (b.1900), Annette (b.1900) and James.

In 1911 Edith had moved to London to be trained as a midwife. She would subsequently become Matron in a nursing home in Grantham, Lincolnshire, in which town two of her daughters were later married.

It was while she was living in Grantham that she became Britain's first warranted policewoman in 1915, serving as such for three years. Edith would later tour Britain showing how the concept of women in policing could succeed, as well as writing books and pamphlets to support, and to inform people about, the cause. Not only did Edith have to face the inherent danger associated with being a police officer, but as one can easily imagine, she also had to put up with ridicule and chauvinist comments from some of her male officers and the general public.

Edith retired from her police work in 1917 due to ill-health. Her resignation letter from the 4th January of that year states that she had '...chest trouble, which becomes worse in the winter owing to late hours in the fog and the damp'. She consequently returned to nursing, becoming Matron of the Lindis Nursing Home, Grantham, in January 1919.

After leaving Grantham, Edith made her home in the almshouses in Castle Road, Halton Village, Runcorn, Cheshire. These houses, designed by Pusey Brooke, were demolished in the 1960s. Perhaps she chose to live in the almshouses because she had little money to support herself, or maybe she wanted to be close to her patients, working as she did as a nurse for the Halton & District Nursing Association. Edith would work tirelessly to improve the financial situation of this association.

Unfortunately, in time, issues sprang up between Edith and her employers who would ultimately ask for her resignation. The Halton & District Nursing Association had received complaints from the County Superintendent of the Cheshire Nursing Association regarding Edith's methods of nursing.

She was so distressed by this decision that on the 26th June 1923 she took her own life from an overdose of morphia. The coroner returned the verdict that Edith had taken her own life whilst 'temporarily insane'. This ensured no issues with inheritance in Edith's will, reduced the stigma of suicide and allowed Christian burial rites to be performed.

Edith was buried in an unmarked grave in Halton Cemetery, near Holt Lane, Halton Village.

Her suicide note read:

'I give my midwifery bag to the Halton Nursing Association, as a memorial to the nurse who lived and died for her patients. I have no sense of having wronged anyone. God is more merciful than Man. He won't misjudge me nor condemn me unproved. I love my patients and it cuts deep that they have cruelly mistreated me. I have never harmed them, my whole thought was to save their pain and suffering. Goodbye. God bless you for all you have done for me. I shall lie waiting on the other side and will work out our way together through Purgatory to the feet of Jesus Christ, Our Saviour'.

‘We shouldn’t underestimate what these pioneers (such as Edith Smith) achieved. They were very courageous. They were determined to do their duty. These days, it’s impossible to imagine what a police force would be like without women'.

- Writer and former WPC302C Joan Lock, author of 'The British Policewoman, History of Women in the Force'.

About a quarter of all police officers in England,Scotland and Wales are now women. The prefix 'woman' was phased out of WPC in 1999.

Edith Smith has been a revelation to me. In less than a year she has come from being completely unheard of in Runcorn's history to being one of the most important people ever to be associated with our town.

I will be producing a blue heritage plaque for Edith in the near future.

My thanks to:

Bob Knowles and Alan Telfer Chape of The Oxton Society.

Mr Knowles has put together a wonderful booklet about Edith called 'Edith Smith - Britain's First Warranted Policewoman' with help from Courtney Finn (Grantham Civic Society) and David Sterry (Runcorn & District Historical Society). The booklet, priced at just £3, can be purchased from both The Oxton Society and Grantham Civic Society.
https://theoxtonsociety.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/793825564028001/

John Manterfield, of Grantham Civic Society.
http://www.granthamcivicsociety.co.uk/public/index.php
https://www.facebook.com/groups/846022188803781/

Jacqueline Bates.

David Sterry, Vice-Chairman of The Runcorn & District Historical Society. I am indebted to Mr Sterry for introducing me to Edith Smith's story.
http://www.runcornhistsoc.org.uk/EdithSmith/EdithSmith.html

Peter Blackmore, Chairman of The Runcorn & District Historical Society.

The Runcorn & District Historical Society meet on the first Friday of every month at the Church Hall, St John's Church in Weston at 7.30 p.m. New faces are always welcome. It is only £2 for guests to get in on the night or £10 for a full year's membership.
http://www.runcornhistsoc.org.uk/

The Runcorn Family History Society meet on the first Wednesday of every month at Churchill Hall in Cooper Street at 7.30 p.m. New faces are always welcome. It is only £2.50 for guests to get in on the night.
https://www.fhsc.org.uk/about-the-group-runcorn”

Thank you very much Stuart.   See Stuart’s Facebook post with photographs here https://www.facebook.com/stuart.allen.3538/posts/678728029179190

Stella Willoughby Savile Cameron Cobbold (1882 - 1918)

Julia Barrett is writing a book about the ladies of Ipswich during WW1 - watch this space! - she writes:

"Throughout Mabel Pretty's work with the Red Cross and as the wife of the Commanding Officer of the 6th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, one of her closest friends and colleagues was Stella Cobbold. Married to Barrister Clement John Fromanteel Cobbold, of the famous Ipswich brewing family, Stella was also the great niece of Lord Gwydyr of Stoke Park, Belstead. Her father was one of the doctors who pioneered blood transfusion during the war, as treatment for massive haemorrhage and Stella was involved with Red Cross from its inception. Educated at Roedean, Stella was in the same year group as Mabel's sister-in-law Mildred Pretty and Edith Dempster (later Mrs Edith Pretty of Sutton Hoo). Mabel and Stella were founder members of the Suffolk Branch of the British Red Cross and their husbands were Commanding Officers of the 1/6th Battalion and 2/6th Battalion Suffolk Regiment respectively.

Mabel and Stella were at the head of the group of ladies who so successfully established the Hospital Supplies Depot and the county-wide network of depots which completely supplied all the Red Cross hospitals across the county, as well as sending supplies and medicines directly to all conflict Fronts.

Both women experienced significant personal loss during WW1 but they worked tirelessly for the entire duration of the conflict, with no let-up even when the Armistice came. Moving their work into caring for those recovering from injuries and the onslaught of the Spanish Flu, Stella herself, worn out by the war and personal loss, finally succumbed. 2nd December 2018 marks 100 years since an incredible woman gave her life for her country, Stella Willoughby Savile Cameron Cobbold (died 2.12.1918, aged 36).

Stella Willoughby Savile Cameron Cobbold was buried in the Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin, Belstead, Suffolk."

With thanks to Julia Barrett on the Facebook Page Clothing the Rose https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1953415991404191&id=258032757609198

Inspirational Women of WW1 Exhibition held in Oswestry, Shropshire, UK

Commemorative WW1 events took place recently at the Qube in Oswestry, Shropshire, UK and I have just received a report and photographs about some of those events: 

"The launch and exhibition at The Qube had many visitors but as there is still so much to research and add they have decided to have a closing exhibition as well March/Early April 2019 when the project finishes - so the A3 plates will have a second airing!

The Women's Day of Female Poets and Inspirational Women was one of the best days in the whole Festival! Brilliant feedback and some readers read from your books! H & H as a project actually purchased copies for our poetry discussion groups I ran and for 'coffee table reads' in exhibition space!

Dr Gladys Mary Coles - delivered a wonderful lecture on Mary Webb. "

With thanks to Jan for the feedback and photos.

Lou Henry Hoover (1874 – 1944) – American; wife of President of the United States, Herbert Hoover; served as the First Lady of the United States of America from 1929 to 1933

Lou Henry was born in Waterloo, Iowa, USA. Her parents were Charles Delano Henry, a Banker, and his wife Florence Ida, nee Weed. Lou became an accomplished horsewoman - she hunted and developed an enthusiasm for rocks, minerals, and mining.

Educated initially at the Los Angeles Normal School, now known as the University of California, Los Angeles, Lou transferred to and graduated in 1893 from San Jose Normal School, now known as San Jose State University, with a teaching certificate. She went on to study at Stanford University, where she met Herbert Hoover.  In 1898 Lou graduated, gaining a B.A. in Geology.

Herbert Hoover and Lou Henry were married in 1898 and honeymooned in Shanghai, China.  They lived in China from 1899 until August 1900.  While in China, Lou studied the Mandarin Chinese language.

During The First World War, Lou helped her husband provide relief for Belgian refugees. For her work, she was decorated in 1919 by King Albert I of Belgium. She was also involved with the American Women's War Relief Fund, which provided ambulances, funded two hospitals and provided economic opportunities for women during WWI.

Katherine Mary Geraldine Davies (1874 – 1928) - British scientist

John Ferguson read my previous post about Katherine (25th September 2015) and contacted me as he is researching her family.  John sent me the photograph of Katherine which is from "The London Evening News" in around 1915.

Mary Davies was born on 8th December 1874.  Her parents were Sir Robert Henry Davies (1824 – 1902), Governor of the Indian Province of the Punjab from 1871 – 1877, and his wife Mary Frances, nee Cautey.

Mary was training to be a bacteriologist at the Pasteur Institute in Neuilly, France when the First World War broke out.  The American Hospital was established at the Pasteur Institute and there Mary worked with Dr. Kenneth Taylor, who was a bacteriologist who qualified at Minnesota University.   Dr Taylor was working on a serum of Quinine Hydrochloride to treat Gas Gangrene, experimenting initially on guinea pigs.

In October 1915, Mary deliberately injected herself with the bacteria used to infect the guinea pigs and asked Dr. Taylor to treat her.   The treatment was successful and after some days in hospital, Mary was sent home to England to recuperate.  She wrote a treatise suggesting that if the cloth used to manufacture British Army uniforms were treated with Quinine Hydrochloride, the incidences of Gas Gangrene might be reduced.

It is perhaps worth noting here, that the Canadian Army Doctor, artilleryman and poet, John McCrae, commented upon his shock on discovering that the heavy use of manure used to fertilise the fields in Flanders and northern France, contributed to the infection of wounds sustained by soldiers on the battle fields of the Western Front in the First World War.

Mary, a member of the Bath Club in London, died in Cannes, France on 7th February 1928.

With many thanks to Geoff Harrison and other friends who sent me links to articles about Mary, and to ‘The Times’ for re-printing the story they ran about Mary's exploit from their edition of September 23rd 1915 in their 23rd September 2015 edition

And to John Ferguson for the photograph of Mary - photographer unknown.

Geoff also found an amazing cartoon which illustrates this story from the St. Petersburg Times of 9th August 1931 (I imagine that would be St. Petersburg in Florida...).

Sources:

GRAVES, Diane. "A Crown of Live The World of John McCrae" (Spellmount Ltd., Staplehurst, Kent, 1997)

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19310809&id=6q0KAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0U0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7255%2C775711&hl=en

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=wm#inbox/14ffba82a4a760bc?projector=1http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16453665

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16453665

http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/library_and_heritage_services/library_collections/rcn_archive/historical_nursing_journals/browse_journals?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHAlM0ElMkYlMkZyY25hcmNoaXZlLnJjbi5vcmcudWslMkZkYXRhJTJGVk9MVU1FMDU1LTE5MTUlMkZwYWdlMjcyLXZvbHVtZTU1LTAybmRvY3RvYmVyMTkxNS5wZGYmYWxsPTE%3D

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19151111&id=_mkWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_iAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1788,4736926&hl=en

http://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Citation/1928/04000/For_Americans_in_France_.2.aspx

The Spirit of British Womanhood, Agnes Conway and the commemoration of women in WW1 at the Imperial War Museum

Following the setting up of the Imperial War Museum in London in 1917, The Women's Work Subcommittee came into being.  The first meeting of the Subcommittee took place on 26th April 1917.  Among the members were Agnes Conway and Lady Priscilla Norman, who had run a hospital in France during the first few months of the war. Co-helpers on the Women's Work Subcommittee were Lady Asquith, Lady Mond and Lady Haig.

The first report of the Subcommittee laid down its objectives as the collection of exhibits and the formation of a record of war activities by women by means of a collection of photographs, pamphlets and manuscript reports from all women’s organisations and outstanding private individuals.  If we are able to find so much information and so many photographs of the women of WW1 today, it is due entirely to the work of the Women's Work Subcommittee of the Imperial War Museum, London.


Agnes Conway - historian and archaeologist. From 1917-1929, Agnes collected information concerning women's work in the First World War as Chairman of the Women's Work Sub-Committee of the Imperial War Museum in London. Her father, Martin Conway, was the first Honorary Director-General of the IWM. 

Florence Priscilla, Lady Norman, CBE JP, née McLaren (1883 – 1 March 1964) – In 1907, Florence married Sir Henry Norman, 1st Baronet, a noted journalist and later Liberal MP for Blackburn, Lancashire. During the First World War, Lady Norman ran a voluntary hospital in Wimereux, France with her husband. She was awarded the Mons Star for her services and was created a CBE for her war services.

Lady Mond – Violet Florence Mabel, nee Goetze - turned her country home into a convalescent home for the wounded and took Belgian refugees into her London home.  In 1920, she was appointed DBE (Dame of the British Empire) for her work during WW1.

Lady Asquith - Emma Alice Margaret Asquith, Countess of Oxford and Asquith (née Tennant) 2 February 1864 – 28 July 1945 - was known as Margot Asquith. She was the second wife of Herbert Asquith, who was the British Prime Minister from 1908 until 1916.

Lady Haig – The Hon. Dorothy Maud Vivian, daughter of 3rd Baron Vivian and his wife Louisa Alice Duff, was a bridesmaid to Queen Alexandra. She met Douglas Haig while he was a guest of King Edward VII at Windsor Castle. They married in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace in July 1905.  During the First World War, Countess Haig worked with the Red Cross, and was appointed a Lady of Grace of St John of Jerusalem. She suggested that a factory, employing those men disabled by war, should be started to make poppies for Scotland.

Sources:
https://www.ladyhaigspoppyfactory.org.uk/factory-history/the-start/
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/a-closer-look-at-the-womens-work-collection

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Norman

Some of the women who served and died or were killed during WW1 in October 1918

Working from the 95 pages of the Commonwealth War Graves List of Female Casualties of the First World War here are those listed who died or were killed in October 1918.

The CWGC List does not include women killed in Munitions Factories explosions or accidents etc.

2nd October
Member, ETHEL MAUD LILIAN RICHARDS of the Women's Royal Air Force died on 2nd October 1918, at the age of 26. Her parents were William Henry and Maria Richards, of Cwmbran, Monmouthshire.  Ethel was buried in Shorncliffe Military Cemetery in Kent, UK - Grave Reference: O. 679.


3rd
Sister, MABEL EDITH GRIGSON, who served in the Royal Navy Hospital in Malta. Sister Grigson was a member of The Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service.  Her parents were George and Esther Grigson.  Sister Grigson died on 3rd October 1918, at the age of 36 and was buried in Malta Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta - Grave Reference: Prot. 60.

4th
ORESTONE METHODIST BURIAL GROUND, Devon, UK
WILLS, Member, SUSAN S., G/847. Women's Royal Naval Service, attd., Royal Air Force. 4 October 1918. Age 36. Grave Reference: Row 4. from east wall.

5th
ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN, Seine-Maritime, France
HOLBOROW, Forewoman, ROSE MABEL, 1923. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, attd. 1st Base Mechanical Transport Depot.. 5 October 1918. Grave Reference: S. V. H. 3.

SHERBORNE CEMETERY, Dorset, UK
STACEY, Staff Nurse, DOROTHY LOUISE, 2/R/S/519. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. 5 October 1918. Age 25. Daughter of Alfred John and Mary M. Stacey, of Charlton Horethorne, Dorset. Grave Reference: 17. 257.

and

Annie POPPLEWELL of the Women’s Land Army, Other Empire Force, who died as a result of a ploughing accident on 5th Octobr 1918. 
https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/a-closer-look-at-the-womens-work-collection

8th
MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES, Bouches-du-Rhone, France
DAVIS, Driver, MILDRED CONSTANCE. French Red Cross Society. Died from pneumonia, while working with the French Croix Rouge as Ambulance Driver, 8 October 1918. Age 25. Daughter of the Rev. Edward Smith, Rector of Hazelbury-Bryan, Sturminster Newton, Dorset; wife of the late Capt. R. N. Davis. Grave Reference: III. A. 58.

BROOKWOOD CEMETERY, Surrey, UK
TULLOCH, Staff Nurse, EDITH SARAH, 2/ResT/95. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. 8 October 1918. Age 33. Daughter of John Cromarty Tulloch and Amelia Clarke Tulloch. Grave Reference: H. 181689.

9th
LIVERPOOL (TOXTETH PARK) CEMETERY, Lancashire, UK
ING Worker (equivalent to the rank of Private) ELSIE UXBRIDGE ING, No. 50823 of The Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps.  Elsie’s parents were Charles Westray Ing, a retired publican, and Clara Ing, nee Williamson, of Bloom Street, Falkner Street, Liverpool. Elsie had the following siblings:  Robert, Beatrice, Harry and Harold.  Elsie served in the Army Service Corps and was attached to 613th Mechanical Transport Company.  She died on 9th October 1918 at the age of 20 and was buried in Toxteth Park Cemetery in Liverpool - Grave Reference: I. C.E. 208.

ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France
GREEN, Nursing Sister, MATILDA E.. 7th Canadian Gen. Hosp., Canadian Army Nursing
Service. Died of disease, 9 October 1918. Age 32. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Green, of Virden, Manitoba. Graduate, Medicine Hat Gen. Hosp., Alberta, Canada. Grave Reference: XLVIII. A. 10.

MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES, Bouches-du-Rhone, France
DAVIS, Driver, MILDRED CONSTANCE. French Red Cross Society. Died from pneumonia, while working with the French Croix Rouge as Ambulance Driver, 8 October 1918. Age 25. Daughter of the Rev. Edward Smith, Rector of Hazelbury-Bryan, Sturminster Newton, Dorset; wife of the late Capt. R. N. Davis. Grave Reference: III. A. 58.

10th
BRIDGEND CEMETERY, Glamorganshire, UK
MARK, Remembering Nurse HANNAH DUNLOP MARK of The Territorial Force Nursing Service. Hannah died on 10th October 1918 at the age of 23. Her parents were Alex and Sarah Jane Mark, of "Garnock," Acland Road, Bridgend. She was buried in Bridgend Cemetery, Glamorganshire, UK - Grave Reference: D. 4.

HOLLYBROOK MEMORIAL, SOUTHAMPTON, Hampshire, UK
BARRETT, Nurse, SOPHIA VIOLET. Voluntary Aid Detachment. Drowned at sea (from R.M.S. "Leinster"), 10th October 1918.  Sophia is remembered on Hollybrook Memorial in Southampton.

Also

Delia Davoren and her sister Nora Davoren nursed in WW1 in Northampton.  They were from Co. Clare in Ireland and were drowned when the RMS “Leinster” was sunk.

Nurse Nellie Hogan from Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clare, Ireland was drowned when the RMS “Leinster” was sunk.

Margaret O’Grady and her sister Mary O’Grady were both nurses from Quin, Co. Clare. They were daughters of Francis O'Grady, Manse, Quin, Co. Clare. Margaret and Mary were travelling together on the RMS “Leinster”. Margaret was drowned when the ship was sunk on 10 October 1918 and her sister was rescued.  Margaret was buried at Quin Abbey. 

HOLYHEAD (MAESHYFRYD) BURIAL BOARD CEMETERY, Anglesey, UK
OWEN, Stewardess, HANNAH. S.S. "Leinster.", Mercantile Marine. 10 October 1918. Age 36. Daughter of William and Mary Owen, of 2, Tower Gardens, Holyhead. Grave Reference: B. 890.  (See photo)

PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon, UK
CARR, Clerk, (shorthand typist), JOSEPHINE, G/4985. W.R.N.S., Women's Royal Naval Service. Killed in action in S.S. "Leinster" with submarine in Irish Sea, 10 October 1918. Age 19. Daughter of Kathleen Carr, of 4, Bethesda Row, Blackrock Rd., Cork, and the late Samuel Carr. Grave Reference: 31. Mary Josephine Carr, drowned in the Irish Sea when the SS Leinster was torpedoed on 10 October 1918. Mary was born on 13 May 1897 in Cork, Ireland to Kathleen and Samuel Carr.  Mary enrolled with the Women's Royal Naval Service on 1 October 1918 as a Clerk. She died 9 days later. Her name is recorded on Plymouth Naval Memorial. (see photo Pictures)

MOUNT JEROME CEMETERY, County Dublin, Ireland
MELLETT, Nursing Sister, HENRIETTA. 15th Can. Gen. Hosp., Canadian Army Medical Corps. Died in the sinking of R.M.S. "Leinster", 10 October 1918. Age 39. Grave Reference: 410. A62.

GRANGEGORMAN MILITARY CEMETERY, County Dublin, Ireland

WESTWELL, Assistant Administrator, MAY. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps.
Drowned at sea (from R.M.S. "Leinster"), 10 October 1918. Age 30. Daughter of Ellen Westwell, of 103, Lovely Lane, Warrington, and the late W. W. Westwell. Grave Reference: CE. Officers. 30.

PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon, UK
CARR, Clerk, (shorthand typist), JOSEPHINE, G/4985. W.R.N.S., Women's Royal Naval Service. Killed in action in S.S. "Leinster" with submarine in Irish Sea, 10 October 1918. Age 19. Daughter of Kathleen Carr, of 4, Bethesda Row, Blackrock Rd., Cork, and the late Samuel Carr. Grave Reference: 31. Mary Josephine Carr, drowned in the Irish Sea when the SS Leinster was torpedoed on 10 October 1918.

TOWER HILL MEMORIAL, London, UK
PARRY, Stewardess, LOUISA. S.S. "Leinster" (Dublin), Mercantile Marine. Drowned, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine, 10 October 1918. Age 22. Daughter of Owen and Katherine Parry (Nee Williams), of 5, Fair View, Holyhead, Anglesey.

11th
WOOLWICH CEMETERY, London, UK
CROSS, Member, AMELIA, 5981. 7th Aeroplane Acceptance Park, Women's Royal Air Force. Died of sickness, 11 October 1918. Age 27. Grave Reference: 20. 518.


12th
ST. JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY, QUEBEC, Quebec, Canada
ALPAUGH, Nursing Sister, AGNES E.. Canadian Army Medical Corps. Died of pneumonia, 12 October 1918. Age 26. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Alpaugh, of St. John's, P.Q. Grave Reference: L. 602.
TOURGEVILLE MILITARY CEMETERY, Calvados, France
HILLING, Sister, SOPHIE, 2/RES.H/1339. A R R C (Royal Red Cross Medal). Sophie was born Sophia Hilling in Deptford, London, UK in 1885.  Her parents were Samuel Hilling ((b. 1857) and his wife Sarah A. Hilling (b. 1885) from Suffolk. Sophia had a brother Samuel, born in 1884 and a sister Rose, born in 1886.  Sophia trained as a nurse in Birmingham and joined the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service during WW1. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal in October 1917 when she was working at the Welsh Metropolitain War Hospital in Cardiff, Wales.

Sophia died of pneumonia on 12th October 1918 after four years war service, while working at No.72 General Hospital, Trouville.  She was buried in Tourgeville Military Cemetery, Calvados, France - Grave Reference: XIV. A. 1. At the time of Sophia’s death, the family lived in Deptford, London.   Sophia is remembered on the Roll of Honour in Deptford Town Hall, London. http://lewishamwarmemorials.wikidot.com/info:royal-red-cross-medal
Alain Caryon visits Sophia’s grave regularly.

GAZA WAR CEMETERY, Israel and Palestine
DANAHER, Staff Nurse, MARY. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, Reserve. 12 October 1918. Age 26. Daughter of Mrs. A. Danaher, of Glenagore, Athea, Co. Limerick. Grave Reference: XXVII. B. 5.

13th
MONT HUON MILITARY CEMETERY, LE TREPORT, Seine-Maritime, France
TONKIN, Member, EDITH MARY, 14673. 3rd Gen. Hospital, Voluntary Aid Detachment. Died of disease, 13 October 1918. Age 26. Daughter of Walter John and Elizabeth Tonkin, of Brook Road, Ely, near Cardiff. Native of Cardiff. Grave Reference: VIII. M. 14.

BALLYCUMBER (LISS) CHURCHYARD, County Offaly, Ireland
HACKETT, Nurse, VENICE CLEMENTINE HENRIETTA. Voluntary Aid Detachment. 13 October 1918. Daughter of Edward A. Hackett, of Castletown Park, Ballycumber. Grave Reference: In South-West part.

CAPE TOWN (PLUMSTEAD) CEMETERY, Western Cape, South Africa
WARDLE, Staff Nurse, IDA. South African Military Nursing Service. 13 October 1918. Grave Reference: Bl. UN. 27.

14th
MIKRA BRITISH CEMETERY, KALAMARIA, Greece
RICHARDS, Nurse, ELLA. Voluntary Aid Detachment. 14 October 1918. Age 31.
Daughter of Timothy Richards, J.P., of Ardwyn, Lampeter, Cardiganshire. Grave Reference: 542.

STONE (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD, WORCESTERSHIRE, Worcestershire, UK
MADDOCKS, Worker, DOROTHY BATEMAN, 35056. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 14 October 1918. Age 17. Daughter of Mrs. E. L. Maddocks, of Stone Cottage, Crabb's Cross, Redditch, Worcs. Grave Reference: South of Church.

TOTTENHAM CEMETERY, Middlesex, UK
MEIKLE, Nurse, CATHERINE. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. 14 October 1918. Age 23. Grave Reference: Gen. 7301 (Screen Wall).

TOWER HILL MEMORIAL, London, UK
CREEGAN, Stewardess, MARGARET. S.S. "Dundalk" (Dundalk), Mercantile Marine.
Drowned, as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine, 14 October 1918. Age 38.
Daughter of Patrick Creegan, of Point Rd., Dundalk, Co. Louth, and the late Mary Creegan.


16th October

CONINGSBY CEMETERY, Lincolnshire, UK
WILLSON, Staff Nurse, NELLIE. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. 16 October 1918. Age 30. Daughter of Arthur Willson, of 5, Queen St., Billinghay.  Alternative Commemoration - buried in Billinghay (St. Michael) Church Cemetery. Grave Reference: Spec. Memorial.



17th October

Southampton (Hollybrook) Cemetery

Staff Nurse Annie Elinor BUCKLER of The QAIMNS, died on 17th October 1918.  Her parents were the Rev. John Findlay Buckler a Rector of Bidston and Mary Annie Buckler, nee Mullow.  Annie, who was born in Chester and trained at the Manchester Children’s Hospital, served in Malta and at the Queen’s Hospital, Sidcup, Kent, where she was part of the team that pioneered the work of plastic surgery.

GAZA WAR CEMETERY, Israel and Palestine

GLEDHILL, Sister, ANNIE. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, Reserve. 17 October 1918. Age 43. Daughter of James Edward and Mary Gledhill, of Steeton, Yorks. Grave Reference: XXVII. C. 13.

POTCHEFSTROOM MILITARY CEMETERY, North West, South Africa
EDMEADES, Nursing Sister, CONSTANCE ALEXANDRA. South African Military Nursing Service. 17 October 1918. Age 28. Daughter of E. T. L. and M. F. Edmeades, of Pinehurst, Oudtshoorn, Cape Province. Grave Reference: C.E. 573.

DEOLALI GOVERNMENT CEMETERY, India
CLARE, Sister, EMILY. Australian Army Nursing Service. 17 October 1918. Age 28. Daughter of Peter and Mary Clare, of 34, Lynch St., Footscray, Victoria, Australia. Grave Reference: Plot RC. Row M2. Grave 22.

POTCHEFSTROOM MILITARY CEMETERY, North West, South Africa
EDMEADES, Nursing Sister, CONSTANCE ALEXANDRA. South African Military Nursing Service. 17 October 1918. Age 28. Daughter of E. T. L. and M. F. Edmeades, of Pinehurst, Oudtshoorn, Cape Province. Grave Reference: C.E. 573.

CARNMONEY CEMETERY, County Antrim, UK
TWADDELL, Member, MAUDE ELIZABETH, 50290. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 17 October 1918. Grave Reference: G. 95.

CLIVEDEN WAR CEMETERY, Buckinghamshire, UK
BAKER, Nursing Sister, MIRIAM EASTMAN. Canadian Army Medical Corps. 17 October 1918. Age 32. Grave Reference: 5. See photo saved in Pictures.

SOUTHAMPTON (HOLLYBROOK) CEMETERY, Hampshire, UK
BUCKLER, Staff Nurse, ANNIE ELINOR. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
Service. Died of influenza, 17 October 1918. Age 43. Daughter of the Rev. John Findlay Buckler, M.A., late Rector of Bidston, Cheshire, and of Mary Anne Buckler (nee Mutlow). Served at Malta and Sidcup, Kent. Born at Chester. Grave Reference: B. 01. 84.





18th
KENSAL GREEN (ALL SOULS') CEMETERY, London, UK
AMBROSE, Member, BLANCHE A., 13034. Women's Royal Air Force. 18 October 1918. Age 34. Grave Reference: 198. 18. 46006. (Screen Wall.)..

ARBROATH WESTERN CEMETERY, Angus, UK
BENNET, Staff Nurse, HELENA STEWART. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. 18 October 1918. Grave Reference: H. 583.

GREAT HENNY (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD, Essex, UK
GALLEY, Worker, AMY COOTE, 6886. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. Died of influenza, 18 October 1918. Age 21. Daughter of William and Frances Ann Galley, of Little Hickbush Great Henny. Grave Reference: 6886.

MACHEN (ST. JOHN) CHURCHYARD EXTENSION, Monmouthshire, UK
M. WOODRUFF, ShorthandTypist,  No. G/2609 of The Women's Royal Naval Service. 18 October 1918. Grave Reference: I. 10.

READING CEMETERY, Berkshire, UK
NEISH, Worker, A. Voluntary Aid Detachment. 18 October 1918. Age 32. Daughter of William Neish, of "Elem," Pilford Heath, Wimbourne, Dorset. Grave Reference: 80. 16489.


19th
LISTOWEL (FAIRVIEW) CEMETERY, Ontario, Canada
ROGERS, Nursing Sister, NELLIE GRACE. Canadian Army Medical Corps. 19 October 1918. Age 29. Daughter of James and Adelia Rogers, of Listowel, Ont. Grave Reference: Lot 5. Range 10.

OLD MONKLAND CEMETERY, Lanarkshire, UK
MACKENZIE, Member, HELEN, 15076. Stores (Netheravon), Women's Royal Air Force. Died of pneumonia, 19 October 1918. Age 20. Daughter of Donald and Annie McIver Mackenzie, of 11, English Buildings, Calderbank, Airdrie, Lanarkshire.

20th
CAPE TOWN (PLUMSTEAD) CEMETERY, Western Cape, South Africa
HEARNS, Staff Nurse, BEATRICE. South African Military Nursing Service. 20 October 1918. Grave Reference: Bl. UN. 28.

ECCLESFIELD JEWISH CEMETERY, Yorkshire, UK
HARTMAN, Nurse, EMILY. Voluntary Aid Detachment. 20 October 1918. Grave Reference: Grave 271

21st
CAPE TOWN (PLUMSTEAD) CEMETERY, Western Cape, South Africa
BEAUFORT, Nurse, K. South African Military Nursing Service. 21 October 1918. Grave Reference: Bl. UN. 31.

WATKINS, Staff Nurse, J K. South African Military Nursing Service. 21 October 1918. Grave Reference: Bl. UN. 30.


CAPE TOWN (PLUMSTEAD) CEMETERY, Western Cape, South Africa
BEAUFORT, Nurse, K. South African Military Nursing Service. 21 October 1918. Grave Reference: Bl. UN. 31.

YORK CEMETERY, YORKSHIRE, Yorkshire, UK
WHITWORTH, Worker, NELLIE, 16451. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, attd. No. 2
Inf. Records (York). Died of sickness, 21 October 1918. Age 26. Daughter of Mary Whitworth, of 28, Rosslyn St., Clifton, York, and the late Benson Whitworth. Grave Reference: 43. 5083.

22nd
CHURCH AND CLAYTON-LE-MOORS JOINT CEMETERY, Lancashire, UK
BARON, Nurse, MARGARET ALICE BARON East Lancashire section of the Voluntary Aid Detachment. Margaret was born in Burnley, Lancashire in 1891.  Margaret’s parents were William Thomas Baron and his wife Alice Baron, nee Myers.  Margaret had the following siblings:  Sarah, b. 1885, Elizabeth H., b. 1887, Ellen, b. 1888 and Caroline, b. 1894.

Margaret died on 22nd October 1918, at the age of 28 and was buried with full military honours in Church and Clayton-le-Moors Joint Cemetery, Lancashire, UK - Grave Reference: E. C.E. 107.  Margaret is also remembered on the memorial doors near the Seven Sisters window in York Minster.  The photograph of Margaret’s grave was kindly taken by Andrew Mackay who visited the grave recently.

Dusty Mears has researched Margaret and visits her grave regularly. Dusty, who shared the photograph of Margaret says: “Nurse Baron was from Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington, Lancashire UK. She was a weaver but interested in nursing. She nursed in Elmfield Hall, which was a WW1 Auxiliary Military Hospital in Accrington during WW1. During the First World War, Margaret volunteered for general service, eventually ending up at the Royal Marine Infirmaty in Deal, Kent, where she died from influenza. There's a novel loosely based on her life – “Silence Unlocked” by Margaret’s Great-Niece, Janet M. Reeves.” Dusty’s research brought about distant family members getting in touch with each other in 2014/15. Well done, Dusty.
(see photos)

STAGLIENO CEMETERY, GENOA, Italy

WRIGHT, Staff Nurse, HANNAH ELIZABETH. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. Died of pneumonia, 22nd October 1918. Eldest daughter of John and Emma Wright, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Grave Reference: I. C. 23.

TOTTENHAM CEMETERY, Middlesex, UK
CROWTHER, Sister, LENA. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. 22
October 1916. Grave Reference: Gen. 7301 (Screen Wall).

ALDERSHOT MILITARY CEMETERY, Hampshire, UK
SQUIRE, Member, DOROTHY J.. Voluntary Aid Detachment. 22 October 1918. Grave Reference: Plot AG Grave 377.

PORTLAND (ST. GEORGE) CHURCHYARD, Dorset, UK
WHITE, Clerk, DOROTHY MARIA, G/5160. H.M.S. "Research.", Women's Royal Naval Service. Died of sickness, 22 October 1918. Age 20. Daughter of William and Rebecca White, of 21, Cove Cottages, Portland. Grave Reference: A. 4. 18.

23rd

CROYDON (MITCHAM ROAD) CEMETERY, Surrey, UK
COTTON, Worker, ROSE, 44785. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 23 October 1918. Age 26. Daughter of Charles Cotton, of 57, Sangley Rd., South Norwood, London. Grave Reference: R7. 1632.

BEDFORD CEMETERY, BEDFORDSHIRE, Bedfordshire, UK
DAWES, Nursing Sister, A E, 2/RES.D/369. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. 23 October 1918. Grave Reference: F/4. 169.

LADYWELL CEMETERY, London, UK
GRAY, Member, FLORENCE ANNIE, 20267.  No. 1 Stores Depot (Kidbrooke), Women's Royal Air Force. Died of pneumonia, 23 October 1918. Age 39. Wife of W. H. Gray, of 80A, Stondon Park, London. Grave Reference: G. 43.

RYDE BOROUGH CEMETERY, Isle of Wight, UK
ROGERS, Worker, MARIE LOUISE, 17389. 18th O.C. Bn., Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 23 October 1918. Age 34. Daughter of Mrs. Mary Charlotte Rogers, of Granville House, Nelson St., Ryde, Isle of Wight. Grave Reference: NG. K. 3263.

SHORNCLIFFE MILITARY CEMETERY, Kent, UK
HENNAN, Nursing Sister, VICTORIA BELLE. Canadian Army Medical Corps. 23 October 1918. Age 31. Daughter of Dorothy Catherine Hennan, of Elkhorn, Manitoba. Grave Reference: M. 694.

24th
ALDERSHOT MILITARY CEMETERY, Hampshire, UK
TICHBORNE, Nurse, MURIEL EDITH ELIZABETH. Voluntary Aid Detachment. 24 October 1918. Age 25. Grave Reference: Plot AG Grave 376.

DOVER (CHARLTON) CEMETERY, Kent, UK
BOWMAN, Clerk, HILDA, G/762. Women's Royal Naval Service. 24 October 1918.
Daughter of Mrs. Martha Bowman, of 28, De Burgh Hill, Dover. Grave Reference: I. H. 13.

TOTTENHAM CEMETERY, Middlesex, UK

JOHNSON, Sister, ADA MARION. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. Died of sickness, 24 October 1918. Age 24. Daughter of J. H. and Mary A. Johnson, of 1, Arthur Rd., Motspur Park, New Malden, Surrey. Grave Reference: Gen. 7301. (Screen Wall).
BROOKWOOD CEMETERY, Surrey, UK
COLE, Sister, DOROTHY HELEN. 1st London General Hospital, Territorial Force Nursing
Service. Died of pneumonia, 24 October 1918. Age 29. Daughter of William and Caroline Frances Cole, of 41, Heath Hurst Rd., Hampstead, London. Grave Reference: 181855.

BROOKWOOD (UNITED KINGDOM 1914-1918) MEMORIAL, Surrey, UK
PEAKE, Worker, SUSAN JANE, 47444. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 24 October 1918. Age 27. Daughter of Robert Peake. Grave Reference: Addenda Panel

JOHANNESBURG (BRIXTON) CEMETERY, Gauteng, South Africa
PARROTT, Sister, AMY MAUD AUGUSTA. Voluntary Aid Detachment. 24 October 1918. Age 37. Daughter of Col. and Mrs. T. S. Parrott, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Grave Reference: E.C. 2219. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2003452649868322&set=p.2003452649868322&type=3 from a newspaper report about Sister Parrott of 1918

TOTTENHAM CEMETERY, Middlesex, UK
JOHNSON, Sister, ADA MARION. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.
Died of sickness, 24 October 1918. Age 24. Daughter of J. H. and Mary A. Johnson, of 1, Arthur Rd., Motspur Park, New Malden, Surrey. Grave Reference: Gen. 7301. (Screen Wall).

26th
EDINBURGH (ROSEBANK) CEMETERY, Edinburgh, UK
THOMSON, Sister, ELIZABETH ROBERTSON. Leith War Hospital, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. Died of sickness, 26 October 1918. Age 36. Daughter of Jane Thomson, and the late Capt George Thomson. Grave Reference: S. E/60.

GOSPORT (ANN'S HILL) CEMETERY, Hampshire, UK
Commonwealth War Dead (1914-1918)
BILLINGTON, Worker, SARAH, 48452. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 26 October 1918. Age 28. Daughter of John and Sarah Billington, of 3, Jackson Place, Stoke, Devonport. Grave Reference: 38. 23842.

GUILDFORD (STOKE) OLD CEMETERY, Surrey, UK
CHALLINOR, Staff Nurse, ELIZABETH ANNIE, 2/ResC/747. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. Died of pneumonia, 26 October 1918. Age 29. Daughter of Samuel and Sarah Challinor, of "Thelma," Caxton Gardens, Guildford. Grave Reference: D. 592.

LLANDINGAT (ST. DINGAT) CHURCHYARD, Carmarthenshire, UK
Commonwealth War Dead (1914-1918)
DAVIES, Chief Section Leader, C J, G/3136. Women's Royal Naval Service. 26 October 1918. Grave Reference: In South part.



27th
CARDIFF WESTERN CEMETERY, Glamorganshire, UK
Commonwealth War Dead (1914-1918)
SAINT, Assistant Waitress, LUCY JANE, 5558. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 27
October 1918 at Royal Victoria Hospital Boscombe, Hampshire
Age 23. Daughter of Samuel and Lucy Saint, of 4, Club Row, Tranch, Pontypool. Alternative Commemoration - buried in Llanfihangel Pontymoel (St. Michael) Churchyard. Grave Reference: Screen Wall.   For photo see http://www.womenandwar.wales/search.php?func=search&searchfor=QMAAC&in_unit=on
Commemorated on War Memorial gates, Grave St Michael, Pontypool, Monmouthshire

Notes: aged 23. Buried Llanfihangel Pontymoel churchyard, Pontypool.

LAMBETH CEMETERY, London, UK
PATRICK, Worker, LILIAN PRETORIA, 46891. Clerical Staff, Queen Mary's Army
Auxiliary Corps. Died of pneumonia, 27 October 1918. Age 19. Daughter of William and Lucy Patrick, of Fore St., St. Columb, Cornwall. Grave Reference: Screen Wall. H.3. 930.

LIMERICK (ST. LAWRENCE'S) CATHOLIC CEMETERY, County Limerick,

McMAHON, Volunteer, AGNES, 18691. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, attd. Officer's Cadet School, Kildare. 27 October 1918. Age 22. Daughter of Mrs. Mary McMahon, of 14, Prospect, Rossbrien, Limerick. Grave Reference: 32180.

MURTON (HOLY TRINITY) CHURCHYARD, Durham, UK
ELLIOTT, Nurse, ELIZABETH. Territorial Force Nursing Service. 27 October 1918. Age 24. Daughter of Thomas and Alice Elliott, of 6, Pilgrim St., Murton. Grave Reference: Near West wall of Churchyard.

SOUTHAMPTON (HOLLYBROOK) CEMETERY, Hampshire, UK

STANLEY, Member, MARY ANN, 16220. 1st Salvage Sect., Women's Royal Air Force. Died of pneumonia, 27 October 1918. Age 23. Daughter of Mrs. Smith, of 19, Market St., Stoneywood, Bucksburn, Aberdeenshire. Grave Reference: L. 7. 206.

28th
KENSAL GREEN (ALL SOULS') CEMETERY, London, UK
SMITHERST, Member, DOROTHY M., 11318. Women's Royal Air Force. 28 October 1918. Age 23. Grave Reference: 198. 18. 46053. (Screen Wall.).

GLENBORO (BRU FRIKIRK JU LUTHERAN CHURCH) CEMETERY, Manitoba, Canada
FREDERICKSON, Nursing Sister, CHRISTINE. Canadian Army Medical Corps. Died of pneumonia, 28 October 1918. Age 22. Daughter of Frederick and G.S. Frederickson, of Glenborough, Manitoba, Canada.

KILLESHIN CHURCH OF IRELAND CHURCHYARD, County Leix, Ireland

McMAHON, Mechanic Driver, AUGUSTA MARY. Women's Legion, attd., Army Service Corps. 28 October 1918. Grave Reference: About 5 yards South of Church.

CAMBERWELL OLD CEMETERY, London, UK
WILLIAMS, Member, EDITH OLIVE, 21181. 1st Stores Depot., Women's Royal Air Force. 28 October 1918. Age 19. Daughter of Alice M. Greenfield, of 10A, Staveley Rd., Asylum Rd., Peckham, London. Grave Reference: 101. 25607. Screen Wall.

CHELTENHAM CEMETERY, PRESTBURY, Gloucestershire, UK
ROBERTS, Member, ELIZABETH HANNAH JANE, 22635. Women's Royal Air Force,
attd. 9th School of Aeronautics. Died of pneumonia, 28 October 1918. Age 22. Daughter of the late John Roberts, of Hanover St., St. Paul's, Cheltenham. Grave Reference: O. 2107.

DOVER (ST. MARY'S) NEW CEMETERY, Kent, UK

CARE, Member, M L, G/5721. Women's Royal Naval Service. 28 October 1918. Grave Reference: G. J. 1.


PLYMOUTH (FORD PARK) CEMETERY, Devon, UK

JONES, Sister, LILIAN HILDA, 2/J/110. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. Died of pneumonia, 28 October 1918. Age 32. Daughter of Louisa Jones, of "Fairlight," 13, Valencia Rd., West Worthing, Sussex. Born in New Southgate, London. Grave Reference: General K. 5. 7.

29th
DALBEATTIE CEMETERY, Kirkcudbrightshire, UK
WRIGHT, Worker, JEANNIE TURNBULL, 46868. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. Died of pneumonia, 29 October 1918. Age 20. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wright, of The Galla, Dalbeattie. Grave Reference: 4A. 1st Extn. 23.

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD (HEATH LANE) CEMETERY, Hertfordshire, UK
HARROLD, Worker, (Waitress), HELEN CHARLOTTE, 50021. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 29 October 1918. Grave Reference: YB. 46.

HULL WESTERN CEMETERY, Yorkshire, UK
BREWER, Forewoman, KATE SWINN, 51519. Gateshead Hostel, Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 29 October 1918. Age 30. Daughter of Charles Albert and Elizabeth Colledge Brewer. Grave Reference: 309. 29972.

LEEDS (BECKETT STREET) CEMETERY, Yorkshire, UK
LAMBERT, Member, EMILY, 15358. Women's Royal Air Force. 29 October 1918. Grave Reference: 20287.

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE (ST. ANDREW'S AND JESMOND) CEMETERY,
Northumberland, UK
TODD, Worker, BARBARA RAMSEY, 41144. 23rd Officers' Cadet Bn., Hepswell, Catterick, Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 29 October 1918. Age 26. Daughter of W. George Todd, of 16, Chester St., Newcastle-on-Tyne. Grave Reference: N. U. 23.

PEEBLES CEMETERY, Peeblesshire, UK
AINSWORTH, Nursing Sister, (Res.), G G. R.N. Hosp. (Peebles), Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service. 29 October 1918. Grave Reference: 1209.


30th

BLAYDON CEMETERY, Durham, UK
BRINTON, Staff Nurse, M G. Territorial Force Nursing Service. 30 October 1918. Grave Reference: M. C. 210.

PITLOCHRY NEW CEMETERY, Perthshire, UK
MACBETH, Staff Nurse, MARGARET ANN, 2/Res/M/1009. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. 30 October 1918. Age 28. Daughter of Mrs. Helen Macbeth, of Lower Viewbank, Pitlochry. Grave Reference: G. 126.

RUSHDEN CEMETERY, Northamptonshire, UK
PRIESTLEY, Worker, ELSIE, 20424. R.E. Special Depot (Haynes Park), Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 30 October 1918. Grave Reference: C. 7. 177.

SUTTON VENY (ST. JOHN) CHURCHYARD, Wiltshire, UK
WALKER, Matron, JEAN MILES. R R C. Australian Army Nursing Service. Died of sickness, 30 October 1918. Age 39. Daughter of Alfred and Louisa Miles Walker, of "Allowah," Dunbarra Rd., Bellevue Hill, Sydney. Born in Tasmania. Grave Reference: 15. H. 1.


UCKFIELD CEMETERY, Sussex, UK
Commonwealth War Dead (1914-1918)
HOWELL, Worker, EMMA, 11077. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. 30 October 1918. Age 34. Daughter of Mary E. Howell, of Church Square, Harrogate, Yorks, and the late Richard Howell. Grave Reference: R. 2078.


31st

GRIMSBY (SCARTHO ROAD) CEMETERY, Lincolnshire, UK
DREWRY, Telephonist, HARRIET HAWKESWORTH, G/2335. Women's Royal Naval
Service. 31 October 1918. Age 24. Daughter of Joseph Clifton Drewry and Betsy Drewry, of
49, Farebrother St., Grimsby. (In the same grave is buried: Telephonist Dorothy Marjorie Drewry, G/2091, Women's Royal Naval Service. 25th Feb., 1920. Age 19.). Grave Reference: 38. H. 6.

HASTINGS CEMETERY, SUSSEX, Sussex, UK
HERITAGE, Nurse, AUDREY. Voluntary Aid Detachment. Died of pneumonia, 31
October 1918. Age 17. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Heritage, of The Haven, Sandhurst Lane, Little Common, Bexhill-on-Sea. Grave Reference: L. D. K27.

HORSFORTH CEMETERY, Yorkshire, UK
HOGG, Nurse, FLORENCE. Voluntary Aid Detachment. 31 October 1918. Age 24. Grave Reference: Green 834

READING CEMETERY, Berkshire, UK
CLARK, Member, ELLEN, 19194. No. 3 Stores Depot Park, Women's Royal Air Force. Died of pneumonia, 31 October 1918. Age 35. Daughter of Mrs. Clark, of 9, Mount Pleasant Grove, Reading. Grave Reference: 26. 15098.

Two women who served during WW1 who died on 26th September 1918

TWIST, Remembering Nurse, DOROTHY PEARSON TWIST, No. 82/T/118 of The Canadian Military Voluntary Aid Detachment. Nurse Twist died on 26th September 1918 at the age of 29. Her parents were Pearson Gill Twist and his wife, Julia Twist, of Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada. Nurse Twist was buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery in Hampshire, UK - Grave Reference: AG. 374.   As she is so far from home, I wonder if her grave receives any visitors?

WALKER, Remembering Worker (equal to the rank of Private) WINIFRED LUCY WALKER, No. 13980 who served with The Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps (QMAAC) and was attached to the Royal Engineers in Portsmouth. Winifred died on 26th September 1918 and was buried in Milton Cemetery in Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK - Grave Reference: M. 6. 24.

Sister E. Salvator of the Nyasaland Nursing Service - 8th September 1918

Sister E. Salvator of The Nyasaland Nursing Service, died on 8th September 1918. Sister Salvator was buried in Mangochi Town Cemetery, Malawi, Africa - Grave Reference: 23.   According to Anne Samson of the Great War in Africa Association, Sister Salvator was a religious Sister of the Society of Mary (Marist Mission ) (Gazette 1917 - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30305/supplement/9943/data.pdf)
The Montfort Marist Fathers had apparently arrived in Nyasaland in 1901.

With thanks to Anne Samson and photographer Derek Walker for their kind help.  If anyone knows anything about Sister E. Salvator, please get in touch.

I found a family called Salvator from Italy who lived in Glasgow.  The father, Engliano was a stone mason.  They had a daughter, Ernestin, born in France in 1886

An exhibition commemorating the women of WW1, Rathbone Studio, Birkenhead, Wirral, UK - Heritage Week

A stunning collection of paintings by talented artist Rebecca Grinlay will be on display during Heritage Week 2018 at The Rathbone Studio in Argyle Street, Birkenhead, Wirral, UK. The exhibition is to commemorate the women of WW1.

The Rathbone Studio, 
28 Argyle Street • 
Birkenhead • Wirral • 
CH41 6AE   UK

07903 337 995 • info@rathbonestudio.com

Open Tuesday to Saturday: 2.00pm to 5.00pm
http://www.rathbonestudio.com/

Women in the Great War” by Stephen Wynn and Tanya Wynn (Pen & Sword, Barnsley, 2017) - Review

This is an extremely interesting, fast-paced and informative book.  Although I knew quite a lot of the information provided since I began researching for a series of commemorative exhibitions, I also found a good deal that was new to me.   The book begins with an overview of the situation of women – in particular those campaigning to be permitted to vote - during the years leading up to 1914.   Chapter Two is about Munitions Workers with details of dangers involved and the explosions that took place.   Brief mention is also made about the very popular, fund-raising football matches in which the women who worked in factories during WW1 took part.

Chapter Three goes into detail about the history and formation of the Voluntary Aid Detachments and I found this particularly interesting because there is a good deal of confusion these days with the use of the acronym VAD.  Included in that chapter are details of some of the famous women who were VADs .  Chapter Four is devoted to the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) which became the Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps.   Included here is a list of the women of the Corps who died or were killed during WW1.

In Chapter Five, you will find details of other women’s organisations - such as The Women’s Legion, The Territorial Force Nursing Service, The Women’s Hospital Corps, The Women’s Volunteer Reserve, The Women’s Auxiliary Force, The Women’s Land Army, Women Police Force Volunteers, The Women’s Forage Corps, The Women’s Forestry Corps, The Almeric Paget Military Massage Corps, The Women’s Royal Air Force, The Women’s Sick and Wounded Convoy Corps, The Women’s National Land Service Corps and Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service.  Also included in that chapter is the story of Elsie Knocker and Mairi Chisholm who initially went to Belgium with Hector Munro’s Flying Ambulance Unit.

Chapter Six is entitled “Individual Women of the Great War” and has some very interesting stories about women who were secret agents during the conflict.  Chapter Seven lists some of the many women who died or were killed while serving in some capacity during WW1 and Chapter Eight is devoted to the war-time service of Queen Mary and her daughter, Princess Mary.  The book ends with a Conclusion, Acknowledgements and an Index and is beautifully illustrated throughout with photographs and copies of posters, etc.

I was particularly interested in the details of the deal the British Government brokered with the Women’s Social and Policical Union when war broke out (page 4) and a certain incredible fact about DORA that I did not know (page 5).   Information about the involvement of the daughter of Lloyd George was also interestiong (page 28), as I had not heard about her, 

For me the most fascinating story was about the Christmas 1914 gift to serving military personnel known as Princess Mary’s Tin.  My Old Contemptible Grandfather died when I was four years old. When I was growing up, Mother kept his Christmas tin in the kitchen drawer, where it contained pieces of string and sealing wax.  I used to look at the tin and marvel at the names embossed on the lid but it was not until I read this book that I found out about the background to the gift and saw photographs of the contents of the tin (pages 134 – 137).

A most enjoyable book which I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in the role of women during The First World War.

“Women in the Great War” by Stephen Wynn and Tanya Wynn was published by Pen & Sword, Barnsley in 2017.  For further details please see https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/ where you will find details of other fascinating war-related books published by Pen & Sword.

Lucy London, August 2018

Remembering the women of WW1 who died on 14th August 1918

TERLINCTHUN BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE, Pas de Calais, France

Nurse EDITH INGRAM.  With the 55th Gen. Hospital.  Edith was born in 1887. Her parents were Mr and Mrs S.A. Ingram of Littlehampton. Edith joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment and was posted to France. Edith died on 14 August 1918, at the age of 31. Sh was buried in Terlinchthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Pas de Calais, France. Grave Reference: II. C. 27.   Edith features in a special commemorative book donated to the group Wenches in Trenches The Roses of No Man’s Land “Women Casualties of the Great War in Military Cemeteries – Volume 1:  Belgium & France” where you will find reference to Edith on page 69.

LIVERPOOL (TOXTETH PARK) CEMETERY, Lancashire, United KingdomRemembering Staff

Nurse LILIAN THOMAS, No.  2/Res/T/91 of The Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. Lilian Thomas was born in Garston, Liverpool and lived in Toxteth.    Lilian worked at The University War Hospital in Southampton, Hampshire, UK.  Lilian’s parents were William Thomas, born in Seacombe and Emma Thomas, nee Shimmin, born on the Isle of Man.  The family lived in "Carrock," High Bebington Rd., Lower Bebington, Cheshire. Lilian died on 14th August 1918 at the age of 27. She was buried in Toxteth Park Cemetery, Liverpool - Grave Reference: VIII. C.E. 666.
With thanks to Walter Volleamere for additional information about Staff Nurse Thomas.

PORTSMOUTH (HIGHLAND ROAD) CEMETERY, Hampshire, United Kingdom

Charlotte Sophia DUKE, No. G/3028,  was a cook with The Women's Royal Naval Service. Charlotte was born on 22nd July 1895 in Croydon, Surrey. Her parents were Tom and Martha Duke and her siblings were: Sarah, Thomas, Joseph, Elizabeth, Martha and Christine.  Charlotte joined on 17th January 1918 and was at HMS Victory. She worked at the Lion Hotel, Portsmouth (presumably commandeered for war accommodation) from 2nd July 1918.   She died on 14th August 1918 at the age of 23 and was buried in Highland Road Cemetery, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. Grave Reference: North Wall. E. 3. 17.

Elizabeth Coghill Bartholomew (1894 - 1975) - British VAD

With thanks to Sergio Sbalchiero for sending me this information about VAD Elizabeth Coghill Bartholomew, known as Betty (1894 - 1975), who served on the Italian Front in WW1. 

Elizabeth was born on 23rd May 1894 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Elizabeth's parents were Ian John George Bartholomew, who was cartographer to the King, and his wife, Janet Bartholomew. Elizabeth’s siblings were: 

John (Ian) Bartholomew, an officer in the Gordon Highlanders, who served in France and Flanders, George Hugh Freeland Bartholomew, a Captain with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who was killed in France in October 1917 at the age of 21 and buried in the Rocquigny - Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt, France, Louis St Clair Bartholomew and Margaret (Maisie) Hamilton Bartholomew.

Nicknamed "Betty Bar", Elizabeth joined the 2nd Edinburgh Voluntary Aid Detachment in July 1916 – her address at that time was Gardon, Morton Hall Road, Edinburgh. She worked in Italy with the First British Red Cross Unit from July 1916 to October 1917, at the Hospital of Villa Trento in Dolegnano. Elizabeth was then posted to France, where she worked at No.1 Anglo Belge, Bonsecours, France from June 1918 until April 1919.

After the war, Elizabeth married Henry Pitney van Deusen from Princeton, USA, who went to study theology in Edinburgh. Elizabeth died in Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey, USA on 14th February 1975.

Photos of Betty in Italy and the Hospital Villa Trento, Dolegnano, Italy from Sergio Sbalchiero

Book Review: "Hattie Big Sky" and "Hattie ever after" by Kirby Larson

My friend Margaret in America sent me a gift of a copy of "Hattie Big Sky" to help with my research into women in the First World War.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, which is inspired by, and based on, the early life of Kirby Larson's Step Great-Grandmother.  Although the work is fiction, Kirby has woven some of Hattie's true story into the work. 

Kirby went to great lengths to research the background of the book, travelling to Montana and talking to relatives of the people who knew Hattie.   The descriptions of how hard life was in remote areas back then give us an insight into what life was like at that time.   There are also stories of how America coped with the war on the home front. We find out what life was like for the 'Doughboys' when Hattie writes to her old school chum, Charlie, who is a soldier with the American Expeditionary Force in France.

I contacted Kirby to tell her how very much I had enjoyed reading "Hattie Big Sky" and she very kindly sent me a copy of the sequel - "Hattie Ever After" - another 'couldn't put it down' book.  This time we follow Hattie to San Francisco, where she finally achieves a long-cherished dream.  The book gives some interesting insights into what life was like for women in the years following WW1 when they had entered the workforce in large numbers.  Many people expected life to return the way it was before 1914.

"Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson, published by Yearling, New York, 2006 and
"Hattie Ever After" by Kirby Larson, published by Delacorte Press, New York, 2013.

For further information, please see http://www.hattiebigsky.com/
and http://www.kirbylarson.com/hattie-ever-after/

VIOLET ALICE LAMBTON. LONG, O B E.

Remembering VIOLET ALICE LAMBTON. LONG, O B E., Chief Controller of The Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps who was drowned at sea when the Hospital Ship HMHS "Warilda" sank on 3rd August 1918.

His Majesty's Australian Transport “Warilda” was built by William Beardmore and Company in Glasgow as the SS “Warilda” for the Adelaide Steamship Company.  She was designed for the East-West Australian coastal service, but following the start of the First World War, was converted into a troopship and later, in 1916, into a hospital ship.

On 3rd August 1918, HMHS “Warilda” was taking wounded soldiers from Le Havre, France to Southampton when she was torpedoed by the German submarine UC-49. The ship was marked clearly with the Red Cross. Germany justified this action by maintaining the ships were also carrying weapons – though in this case it would surely have been travelling in the wrong direction to transport arms.

The ship sank in about two hours, and of the 801 persons on board, 123 died. The wreck is in the English Channel.

Photographs from the collection held for the nation by the Imperial War Museum in London.  Name of photographer unknown.

HOLLYBROOK MEMORIAL, SOUTHAMPTON, Hampshire, United Kingdom
LONG, Chief Controller, VIOLET ALICE LAMBTON. O B E. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. Drowned at sea (from HMHS "Warilda"), 3 August 1918. 

With many thanks to Debbie Cameron and Mark Bristow for the following information about Violet:

Violet Beatrix Alice Lambton Long nee Way, O.B.E. was born in Gosford, Northumberland on 30th April 1883, the daughter of Col. Wilfred FitzAlan Way and Henrietta Mary Way, nee Ross.  Violet’s sister, Florence Edith Victoria Leach, nee Way, who also served in the QMAAC, was born in Jersey in 1874.  Her other siblings were Ethel E.H Way, born 1877, Wilfred G.M Way, born 1878.
In 1881 her father (who was born at Long Ashton) was at Ashton Court in Somerset with his cousin Baronet John G. Smith (family known later as Smyth). Ashton Court by the way was used as an Officers Hospital during WW1.

At time of 1901 census she was residing at Portsmouth with her father, 55 year old retired Infantry Colonel Wilfred Way. She was born in Northumberland at time he was a Captain with 5th Fusiliers.
Violet married William Edward Long in 1901. Violet and William had two daughters, Felicity Annette Cynthia Long and Violet Long.

Major W.E.Long, O.B.E.(son of Colonel W. Long, C.M.G.) was a Captain in the Remount Service/4th Hussars, and they lived at Newton House, Hill Road, Clevedon.
(Clevedon Town Council took over from Clevedon Urban District Council for whom Colonel Long was Chairman from 1908 - 1923.)

According to the "Chiswick Times" Violet lived at 4, Abinger Road, Bedford Park with her husband and two daughters. The vicar of her local church, where her name is listed on the WW1 memorial, said that "Mrs Violet Long was a splendid speciman of womanhood." She helped with the training of a large number of candidates in the Parish Hall for the examination by the St John Ambulance Society.

The vicar also said " It is well for us to remember the heroic part women have played in this war, and the especial worthiness of Mrs. Long in particular, who lived among us."
"Violet Long was responsible for the cookery and domestic section of the Women's Legion. When the Women's Legion amalgamated with the WAACs Mrs. Long brought over 3,000 recruits."
"Mrs Long was a very handsome woman with a magnificent head of bright brown hair."

The newspaper report also explains that Major William Long, Violet's husband, was in Egypt at the time doing remount work.

The following account of the sinking is by Miss Charlotte Allen Trowell QMAAC the only survivor of two members of the Corps who were aboard HMHS “Warilda”:

"I was acting as orderly to Mrs. Long, Deputy Chief Controller of the QMAAC. There was no warning of impending disaster when I retired to my bunk at a quarter to twelve. Mrs Long came to my bunk just before retiring herself and inquired, "Are you comfy?" and gave me some chocolates.

When the torpedo struck the vessel I was thrown out of my bunk. I hurried on deck, and just as I got up there the stairway was blown up.

There was no panic. Those wounded boys although dying, were splendid. I was put into a boat filled with wounded, but as the vessel sank our boat was not level. A davit rope was cut, but the boat capsized and we were thrown into the water. I clung to a rope and a wounded American Officer and an Australian pulled me into another boat. The wounded soldiers who were in that boat insisted on wrapping their saturated blankets around me.

I shall never forget the end of Mrs. Long who had been so kind to me. She clung to the boat into which I had been dragged and I caught hold of her by the hair. She exclaimed "Oh save me. My feet are fastened. I have lost a foot." Her feet had become entangled in some rope.

Strenuous efforts succeeded in freeing her limbs and a Southampton sailor tried hard to get her into the boat, but she collapsed suddenly, fell back and was drowned.

We were about two hours in the boat before we were picked up. "

Book Review “The War Nurses” by Lizzie Page (Bookouture, an imprint of StoryFire Ltd., London, 2018)

"The War Nurses" is a fictional story based loosely on the activities of Elsie Knocker and Mairi Chisholm, who nursed the wounded in Flanders during the First World War.

Elsie Knocker and Mairi Chisholm were among the first women involved in the First World War that I researched for a commemorative exhibition about some of the amazing ‘Inspirational Women’ of WW1, so I was really pleased when Lizzie asked me to review her book about the ‘Angels of Pervyse’.  Apart from Pat Barker’s “Regeneration Trilogy”, “Warhorse” and “Birdsong”, I have not read a novel about WW1 for the past six years, as I have been reading factual accounts for research purposes.   This novel is therefore a welcome change for me. 

It is very difficult for people these days to imagine what life must have been like in 1914, when none of those things we all rely on existed: no Internet, social media, mobile phones, television, radio, air travel, holidays abroad, etc.  Ordinary folk did not have a telephone at home and newspapers and telegrammes were the main means of spreading news.  Many people never ventured outside their own village – the First World War changed all that.

“The War Nurses” is a work of fiction but Lizzie weaves an amazing and fascinating story, re-imagining what life must have been like for the two women. Lizzie puts herself in Mairi’s shoes, with inspiration from the true story of the four years the two women spent on the Western Front looking after the wounded.  Lizzie has obviously put her heart and soul into this book, to which she brings a very modern approach which, hopefully, will appeal to younger readers and spread the word at long last about all of the incredible women and their extensive involvement in The First World War.

A fascinating read.

Lucy London
www.inspirationalwomenofww1.blogspot.co.uk
July 2018