Florence Oppenheimer (1882 - 1980) – British WW1 Nurse

With thanks to Martin Sugarman, Archivist of AJEX  for telling me about Florence.

Born on 13th April 1882 in Islington, London, UK, Florence’s parents were Alexander Oppenheimer and his wife, Eliza Oppenheimer, nee Pool.  Florence had the following siblings: Cicilia, b. 1879, Rozalie, b. 1880, Eva, b. 1881, Violet, b.1883, Michel 1885, Beatrice, b.1886 and Eric Bernard, b. 1903.

Florence was educated at The Lady Eleanor Holles School in Middlesex.
She joined the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service and served throughout the First World War, gaining Mentions in Despatches, Metirorious Service Medals and Territorial Force Efficiency Medals.  Florence kept a diary in which she recorded her experienced of the conflict.

Florence was serving in Egypt in November 1918.  After the Armistice, she signed on for a further six months and was posted to Palestine. In December 1919, Florence decided she wanted to return home, “After 5 years of really hard work I was very tired and thought I would be wise to return home.”

In 1920, Florence married Leopold Jacob Greenberg in Marylebone, London.  She became a journalist, lecturer, BBC broadcaster and food writer, with her book “The Jewish Chronicle Cookery Book” being published in 1934.  Widowed in 1933, Florence worked for the Ministry of Food during the Second World War.

Florence died on 4th December 1980. 

Florence Oppenheimer’s WW1 Diary has been digitized by AJEX (Association of Jewish Ex Service Men and Women) and much of this is available if you follow the link:

http://www.letters.thejmm.org.uk.gridhosted.co.uk/biography_florence

Sources:

https://www.jewsfww.uk/florence-greenberg-115.php
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Thank you Martin.