The front line has never just been about fighting. Medics and nurses work under pressure and danger, saving lives and easing suffering.
Born in Clyde Terrace in Spennymoor in 1876, Kate Maxey became one of the most highly decorated nurses of the First Word War. From October 1914 to March 1918, she was based in Rouen in France, where she gave unstinting and distinguished service at several hospitals on the Western Front.
In March 1918, despite being severely wounded during a bombing raid, Kate went to the aid of fatally wounded nursing sister. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross 1st Class for distinguished service in the field, and gallantry during the bombing raid; the Military Medal for bravery under fire; and the Florence Nightingale Medal.
She is also listed as one of those who “served with distinction” in Spennymoor Urban District Council’s Book of Remembrance in 1922.
Doris Marion Eldridge was born in Chester-le-Street in 1921. After joining the Army Nursing Corps in 1943, Doris Marion Eldridge trained as a nurse with the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS). During her wartime service, she experienced a world far beyond that available to most women of her generation.
Between 1944 and 1951 she travelled to India and to East Africa during the Kenya Emergency. She later served in Mauritius and Singapore.
Her most notable achievement occurred in Kenya at Nanyuki Military Hospital where she saved the lives of 40 children while under threat from advancing enemy forces.
Doris documented her experiences carefully, capturing remarkable images of medical work, including surgical operations, as well as daily life, friendships with Kenyan people, and the surrounding wildlife.
In 1957, she undertook her final professional journey, travelling from Southampton to New York as a nursing sister, a five-day voyage symbolising the close of an extraordinary career.
By the end of her service in 1959, she had attained the rank of Captain.
We will remember them.
Discover more stories about County Durham and its people at our culture, heritage and registration venue @TheStoryDurham.
#remembranceday #remembrance #countydurham #archives
Born in Clyde Terrace in Spennymoor in 1876, Kate Maxey became one of the most highly decorated nurses of the First Word War. From October 1914 to March 1918, she was based in Rouen in France, where she gave unstinting and distinguished service at several hospitals on the Western Front.
In March 1918, despite being severely wounded during a bombing raid, Kate went to the aid of fatally wounded nursing sister. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross 1st Class for distinguished service in the field, and gallantry during the bombing raid; the Military Medal for bravery under fire; and the Florence Nightingale Medal.
She is also listed as one of those who “served with distinction” in Spennymoor Urban District Council’s Book of Remembrance in 1922.
Doris Marion Eldridge was born in Chester-le-Street in 1921. After joining the Army Nursing Corps in 1943, Doris Marion Eldridge trained as a nurse with the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS). During her wartime service, she experienced a world far beyond that available to most women of her generation.
Between 1944 and 1951 she travelled to India and to East Africa during the Kenya Emergency. She later served in Mauritius and Singapore.
Her most notable achievement occurred in Kenya at Nanyuki Military Hospital where she saved the lives of 40 children while under threat from advancing enemy forces.
Doris documented her experiences carefully, capturing remarkable images of medical work, including surgical operations, as well as daily life, friendships with Kenyan people, and the surrounding wildlife.
In 1957, she undertook her final professional journey, travelling from Southampton to New York as a nursing sister, a five-day voyage symbolising the close of an extraordinary career.
By the end of her service in 1959, she had attained the rank of Captain.
We will remember them.
Discover more stories about County Durham and its people at our culture, heritage and registration venue @TheStoryDurham.
#remembranceday #remembrance #countydurham #archives
