Evening all
![ArmyNursingServiceNamesSmall.jpg]()
Boer War Memorial Bloemfontein
On a recent road trip to Cape Town, I spent some time tracking down the burial spot for a Nursing Sister in my collection.
Nursing Sister Gertrude Stockley Edwards, QSA, no bar
The scant information I have on her is as follows
Lived at 34 Gloucester Road, Regents Park, London
Trained at Royal Hospital, Sheffield
Enrolled Princess Christian's Army Nursing Service Reserve, 1 August 1900
Served No. 9 General Hospital Bloemfontein
Died of Disease, Bishops Lodge Hospital, Bloemfontein 22 May 1901
Will signed London 7 February 1901
Effects £453-2-2
Of the 5 Nurses named on the memorial, only two have grave markers
![EdwardsHeadstoneBloemfonteinSmall.jpg]()
![HallHeadstoneBloemfonteinSmall.jpg]()
Reading various sources it would appear that approximately 2000 Nurses from Britain and Dominions served, using the outstanding database by Lt Col (Retd) Dr Keiron Spires, a figure of 2040 is listed.
Various sources list the deaths, all from disease, at 28 to 47. A quick sort of my Excel Field Force Casualty list came to 24, not counting the Natal Field Force which I do not have computerised. Anyone have a definite figure?
It was a good feeling when I found her final resting place, the tragedy of it all was that she was in London on 7th February 1901 when she signed her Will, and within 3 months would die far away from home. We paid our respects and laid a red rose in remembrance.
There are no metal markers in this cemetery, I believe they were all removed for safe keeping, although they were placed around the central monument in 2010 when I was there for the World Cup game when England was beaten by Germany. Generally it would appear an effort has been made to keep it clean and maintained, and many marble headstones were repaired.
Jon
Boer War Memorial Bloemfontein
On a recent road trip to Cape Town, I spent some time tracking down the burial spot for a Nursing Sister in my collection.
Nursing Sister Gertrude Stockley Edwards, QSA, no bar
The scant information I have on her is as follows
Lived at 34 Gloucester Road, Regents Park, London
Trained at Royal Hospital, Sheffield
Enrolled Princess Christian's Army Nursing Service Reserve, 1 August 1900
Served No. 9 General Hospital Bloemfontein
Died of Disease, Bishops Lodge Hospital, Bloemfontein 22 May 1901
Will signed London 7 February 1901
Effects £453-2-2
Of the 5 Nurses named on the memorial, only two have grave markers
Reading various sources it would appear that approximately 2000 Nurses from Britain and Dominions served, using the outstanding database by Lt Col (Retd) Dr Keiron Spires, a figure of 2040 is listed.
Various sources list the deaths, all from disease, at 28 to 47. A quick sort of my Excel Field Force Casualty list came to 24, not counting the Natal Field Force which I do not have computerised. Anyone have a definite figure?
It was a good feeling when I found her final resting place, the tragedy of it all was that she was in London on 7th February 1901 when she signed her Will, and within 3 months would die far away from home. We paid our respects and laid a red rose in remembrance.
There are no metal markers in this cemetery, I believe they were all removed for safe keeping, although they were placed around the central monument in 2010 when I was there for the World Cup game when England was beaten by Germany. Generally it would appear an effort has been made to keep it clean and maintained, and many marble headstones were repaired.
Jon