Monday 1 November 2010

Awards

July 1916

Miss Nellie Frankeiss has been awarded to the R.R.C. (2nd Class). She has been here almost since mobilisation, and has worked splendidly in the wards as a Staff Nurse. More than once I have seen her mothering the officer patients and sewing on their buttons for them. Miss Frankeiss was trained at St. Mary's Islington Infirmary, and has been doing sanatorium work since her training.
Miss Fanny Girardet and Miss Agnes Cockran have also been awarded the R.R.C. (2nd Class). Miss Girardet has been here as a Staff Nurse since October, 1914. She is one of the most capable nurses we have, and is generally loved by all of us for her kindness and goodness to those around her. She was trained at Westminster Hospital and has been District Nursing since.
Miss Agnes Cockran has also been here since the early days. I once scolded her, not in the usual way, but for coming on duty too early in the morning and worrying herself to death over her patients. She wouldn't leave them. Miss Cockran was trained at Hackney Infirmary, and has been doing Private Nursing since.
Sister Winifred White has also been awarded the R.R.C. (2nd Class). Sister White has only now been given her promotion. When we were asked to send Staff Nurses' names forward, she was one of those selected; then, by Sister Ralph resigning her post, Nurse White was promoted. Sister White was trained at the Birmingham General Hospital, and has since been doing private nursing.

It is a very difficult task to pick out a list of nurses when the majority work so well and loyally for the hospital. I said once before that I would willingly share my R.R.C. (precious as it is), if I could, with the whole Nursing Staff. This, however, is impossible. There can only be a few lucky ones, and I trust this is only the beginning of more honours for our hospital. I should like to thank all our Sisters and Nurses for the loyal help they have given to us while they have been here. When we go round the wards it is very easy to see which Nurses take a personal interest in their wards and patients, whether 'Sister' is on duty or not. Whether our work is officially recognised or not, we, at any rate, have the satisfaction of knowing we are doing our 'bit' at a time when we are fighting for our very existence. Whatever hardships or trials we are going through count very little when one takes into consideration what is being done for us by those whom we are privileged to nurse and look after, when they can no longer look after themselves and fight for us.

EDITH HOLDEN

No comments:

Post a Comment