We’re very grateful for the following short report compiled by Ann Cunningham. Ann contacted us a short time ago and has helped add a new insight into the WWI years:
In 1914 Kings Weston House became an auxiliary hospital for wounded soldiers in WW1. From 1914 to 1919 there were many nurses and workers who came here to help and support the injured. After doing some research, I have found the following nurses that worked at the house. There are 7 in total.
Miss Hilda Prance
From May 2nd 1915 until June 1918, Hilda was here for approx 18 months.
Miss Mabel C N Moore
From May 2nd 1915 until June 1919
Miss Frances Geraldine Moore
From May 2 1915 to January 1917
Miss Ethel M. J Moore
From May 3rd 1915 to January 1917
Miss Alice Maud Muriel Borase
From Nov 1st to 18th 1916
Miss Joan Badock
Worked for one year in 1916
Miss Ethel Maud Adams
March 1918 to March 1919. Ethel was a Ward sister and also a night duty nurse.
Ethel was born in 1879 in Long Stock, Hampshire, England. Her parents were James and Susan Adams. She has the following brothers and sisters. Sarah, Annie Elizabeth, John George, and Herbert Evans.
Ethel has been documented as being a Pioneer Nurse. In 1887 the first register for professional nurses was founded. It was the first in the world. It was called the Royal British Nurses’ Association (RBNA). Its aim was to provide a snapshot of the nurses training and qualifications.
Ethel has been documented as registering in 1915, at this time it was voluntary, but by 1919 it was compulsory and finally in this year the Nurses Registration Act became law.
Further information can be found about Ethel and other pioneer nurses at http://www.kingscollections.org
Anyone that is interested in learning more about the Red Cross, what they did, or simply wanting to search for other nurses can visit: www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/Who-we-are/History-and-origin/First-World-War. Information has also been sourced from http://www.ancestry.co.uk
KWAG’s first World War exhibition boards can be viewed here
