Autumn 1915
Miss Barton, Principal Matron, Chelsea Infirmary, S.W.
In wishing success to this new literary venture at the 3rd London General, I thought that a few words at to the early history of the Hospital might be of interest.
It must have been some time in 1908 that, in company with many other matrons, I was invited to a meeting at the War Office, presided over by Lord Haldane. At this meeting the scheme of the Territorial Force Nursing Service was discussed. The idea was explained that there should be twenty-three Territorial Hospitals for England, Scotland and Wales, each with an Organising (called afterwards a Principal) Matron, working under the Matron-in-Chief. Subsequently, at a meeting at the Mansion House, the details of the scheme as regards London were arranged and the Organising Matrons chosen for the four London Hospitals. I had the honour of being appointed to the 3rd London. We were instructed to keep a register of 120 trained nurses, including two matrons, 30 sisters and 88 nurses, who would be ready to be called up in case of invasion or of imminent national danger. The list would allow of a reserve, as only ninety-two would be required at first. The address of each member was to be kept up to date and their reference verified every year. It may be of interest to mention that for the first year the names in the register are in Miss Holden's writing, as she was not only one of the prospective matrons from the commencement, but also helped me as a most efficient Honorary Secretary. I owe much gratitude, too, to the members of our Standing Committee, who were always ready to meet and assist in any way they could. It was not always easy to keep together a phantom army of nurses, and, as the years went on and there was no sign of national danger, some few resigned, but on the whole the nurses were wonderfully faithful. The greater proportion of those at present in the hospital were on the roll from the commencement.
In 1910 Queen Alexandra summoned us all to Buckingham Palace to receive the badges which she had designed, and which all our members wear. From time to time entertainments were given to which the members of the four London Hospitals were invited, and there was a concert every year at the Mansion House. One year Lord Haldane gave an evening party; on another occasions afforded an opportunity for the different members to meet, and helped to keep up the esprit de corps of the Service. It was while undergoing a course of training at the Netley Military Hospital that I had the pleasure of meeting Colonel Bruce Porter, our commanding officer. He was anxious to get into personal touch with the nursing staff of his hospital, and to impress on them that the 3rd London was to be the best possible thing in hospitals. He subsequently came to a meeting at Chelsea, where as many of his staff as possible were gathered together, and where he was introduced to our Matron-in-Chief, Miss Sidney Browne.
As can easiliy be understood, during the early days in August, 1914, there was a general flutter of excitement among the ranks of our Territorial nurses. I shall never forget my feelings when our C.O. rang me up one evening and said the cryptic words, 'Miss Barton, war is declared. Mobilise.' The telephone was shut off - as these were times for deeds, not words - but it gave one somewhat to think about and do. Other writers, I feel sure, will describe the early days in the hospital, when sisters and nurses arrived in batches from different parts of the country, animated with the keenest patriotic spirit, and ready to turn their hands to anything they were called upon to do. It was most interesting to watch the work being carried on under these auspices.
I should like to say in conclusion, that my most optimistic hopes for the success of the Hospital - which had so long existed as a castle in the air - have been far more than realised. Not only the ability and skill, but also the zeal and loyalty shown by the nursing staff have been beyond praise. From the highest to the lowest each in their different ways have brought an enthusiasm and a spirit of personal service into their work which have made the Hospital the great success that it undoubtedly is. I feel extremely proud to be a member of its nursing staff.
ELEANOR C. BARTON
Miss Barton, Principal Matron, Chelsea Infirmary, S.W.
In wishing success to this new literary venture at the 3rd London General, I thought that a few words at to the early history of the Hospital might be of interest.
It must have been some time in 1908 that, in company with many other matrons, I was invited to a meeting at the War Office, presided over by Lord Haldane. At this meeting the scheme of the Territorial Force Nursing Service was discussed. The idea was explained that there should be twenty-three Territorial Hospitals for England, Scotland and Wales, each with an Organising (called afterwards a Principal) Matron, working under the Matron-in-Chief. Subsequently, at a meeting at the Mansion House, the details of the scheme as regards London were arranged and the Organising Matrons chosen for the four London Hospitals. I had the honour of being appointed to the 3rd London. We were instructed to keep a register of 120 trained nurses, including two matrons, 30 sisters and 88 nurses, who would be ready to be called up in case of invasion or of imminent national danger. The list would allow of a reserve, as only ninety-two would be required at first. The address of each member was to be kept up to date and their reference verified every year. It may be of interest to mention that for the first year the names in the register are in Miss Holden's writing, as she was not only one of the prospective matrons from the commencement, but also helped me as a most efficient Honorary Secretary. I owe much gratitude, too, to the members of our Standing Committee, who were always ready to meet and assist in any way they could. It was not always easy to keep together a phantom army of nurses, and, as the years went on and there was no sign of national danger, some few resigned, but on the whole the nurses were wonderfully faithful. The greater proportion of those at present in the hospital were on the roll from the commencement.
In 1910 Queen Alexandra summoned us all to Buckingham Palace to receive the badges which she had designed, and which all our members wear. From time to time entertainments were given to which the members of the four London Hospitals were invited, and there was a concert every year at the Mansion House. One year Lord Haldane gave an evening party; on another occasions afforded an opportunity for the different members to meet, and helped to keep up the esprit de corps of the Service. It was while undergoing a course of training at the Netley Military Hospital that I had the pleasure of meeting Colonel Bruce Porter, our commanding officer. He was anxious to get into personal touch with the nursing staff of his hospital, and to impress on them that the 3rd London was to be the best possible thing in hospitals. He subsequently came to a meeting at Chelsea, where as many of his staff as possible were gathered together, and where he was introduced to our Matron-in-Chief, Miss Sidney Browne.
As can easiliy be understood, during the early days in August, 1914, there was a general flutter of excitement among the ranks of our Territorial nurses. I shall never forget my feelings when our C.O. rang me up one evening and said the cryptic words, 'Miss Barton, war is declared. Mobilise.' The telephone was shut off - as these were times for deeds, not words - but it gave one somewhat to think about and do. Other writers, I feel sure, will describe the early days in the hospital, when sisters and nurses arrived in batches from different parts of the country, animated with the keenest patriotic spirit, and ready to turn their hands to anything they were called upon to do. It was most interesting to watch the work being carried on under these auspices.
I should like to say in conclusion, that my most optimistic hopes for the success of the Hospital - which had so long existed as a castle in the air - have been far more than realised. Not only the ability and skill, but also the zeal and loyalty shown by the nursing staff have been beyond praise. From the highest to the lowest each in their different ways have brought an enthusiasm and a spirit of personal service into their work which have made the Hospital the great success that it undoubtedly is. I feel extremely proud to be a member of its nursing staff.
ELEANOR C. BARTON
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