TOPIC:

Hi Henk, my understanding is that Servants on these roles were women who looked after the nurses themselves, whereas Ward Maids worked in the hospital itself doing housekeeping type duties. Where Ward Maids were not employed orderlies would do the housekeeping.

Hi
Thanks for pointing out the various duties!
Henk

Here are 2 more ladies’ names to be added to the lists. I could not find them mentioned in either Sheila Gray’s list or in Norman Gooding’s book. They appear on the bottom of the roll for the Edinburgh and East of Scotland Hospital, as “nurses servants” but that handwritten title is very difficult to decipher. However I have noted in a reprint copy of “Report of the work of the Edinburgh and East of Scotland South African Hospital” that they are mentioned in Appendix 1 (a list of personnel of the Hospital) as:

Laundress EJ Sinclair
Sister’s Maid Jane Pearson

The medal to Sinclair was sold in 2018 by London Medals named “EJ Sinclair Scottish Hospital”. I have been unable to trace either lady – perhaps other members of the Forum may be able to assist in this respect.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (0) (Miss A. B. Cleghorn.) officially re-impressed naming

Miss A B Cleghorn served as a Staff Worker at Camp Soldier’s Homes under Mr and Mrs Osborne Howe, well known in South Africa for their devoted work.

Sold with copied medal roll for ‘Staff Workers, Camp Soldier’s Homes’ which lists Mr and Mrs Osborne Howe, together with 11 male and 4 female Staff Workers.

Possibly Allison Borthwick Cleghorn, born 1886?

WO100/235p33

The QSA to A Cleghorn sold for a hammer price of GBP 280. Totals: GBP 361. R 7,940. AUD 660. NZD 720. CAD 590. USD 450. EUR 400.

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She was born on 23 July 1880. She was christened Beatrice Carkeet Dalzell Wells on 6 February 1881 in Mortlake, Surrey. Carkeet was her mother's maiden name.

Age between 20 / 25:



She died 21 September 1949.

Age between 50 / 60



SCHOOL SECRETARY DIES

Death occurred suddenly of Miss Beatrice Dalzell Wells age, 70, at her flat at Marsham Court, Westminster.
Death was due to natural causes.
Miss Wells had not long returned from a visit to South Africa. She was secretary of the Day Continuation School, Golden Lane, E.C.

WELLS, BEATRICE DALZELL

Beatrice Dalzell otherwise Beatrice Carkeet Dalzell of 110 Marsham Court, Marsham-street, London, S.W.1, spinster, died, 21 September 1949, probate London, 11 January.
Margory Beatrice Gordon Macfarlane and Oonah Constance Price spinsters. Effects L251 4s. 2d. Resworn L2394 17s 4d.

The family is on the 1891 Census living at Beaufort Villa, Cambridge Road, Barnes when Beatrice was 10. Father's occupation - "Retired Admiralty Civil Service" and he was born in Bermuda. Eldest child, Alfred aged 15, was born in Plymouth. There was a third sister, 3 years older than Beatrice, but only initials are given "C. C. D." which sounds like "C? Carkeet Dalzell" but Beatrice is entered as plain "Beatrice Wells". The youngest of the 5 children is a 4 year old boy, "Grant C" thus probably named after his father & mother. All the children except Alfred were born in Barnes. Finally a 32 year old niece born is St Austell, Cornwall.

Beatrice is on the 1921 Census and it gives her occupation as Secretary to the Directors at "T C C Scientist" of 7/8 Curzon Street, Mayfair.

In 1921 she was living at 35 Church Road, Barnes - she completed the form as head of the household. Living with her are her widowed mother who was born in Fowey, Cornwall - hence the rather strange surname of Carkeet. Also on the return are her married sister Olive, her niece (Olive's 4 year old daughter) and a 17 year old domestic servant. Both Beatrice & Olive were born in Barnes, Olive was just over 2 years younger than Beatrice.








DOCUMENT NUMBER: ONE

Dear Sir:

Thank You very much for so kindly sending
me a copy of your daughters letters. It is most
interesting and shows how well Miss Wells
deserves the War Medal.

Believe Me
Yours Very Truly

Roberts FM

DOCUMENT NUMBER: TWO

In envelope with “Journey's in South Africa and Out” (on Front of envelope)
and on Reverse (Journal inside envelope below).....

March 1899:
Francis and I went to Johannesburg. Stopped with Sally at Roodepoort for 1 week.

April 1899
Returned to Shebra.

August 7th, 1899
Left Sheba for Johannesburg en route for Brandi Wei

September 1899
Left Johannesburg, travelled via Victoria West and Canarvon arrived Brandiwei. Sept. 20, Stayed 2 weeks with Kittie, Kelmar and Bernstein.

Christmas 1899
Spent four weeks with the Hanau's in Canarvon

Jan. 21st
Boers arrived Nelskof
Buried silver, hid guns, Pad sent horses

Jan. 22nd
Saw Boer scouts. Then 64 entered. Dorf cut down flag, demanded ammunition & guns. Later they searched under farm for guns but were unsuccessful. Commandeered food and clothes from stores. Erasmus nearly caught Francis & self when removing guns. Several burgers our wearing badges (?) bandages.

Jan 23rd
Boers left at sunset taking Porsteim with them. Went in direction Goderst Dormstadt but made turn and went to T.B. Rolk.

Jan. 25th
Brewster C.P. Came in from Doornsmith news of death of Queen

Jan. 26th
18 Boers under F. C. Vennack council with Dorf made Dadder furious. G. followed Brewster but unsucessflly. Flag torn down again, pole smashed and cord cut. MacWheeling and Border Scout both concealed in Erda's store, one under counter and one under skins. Boers searched for them but in vain, Guns hidden in Erda;s store found by Boers and smashed. William Christian beaten by Boers for being a re (rest of word unknown paper torn).

I rode to Dorns on Bike and Brewster sent despatch at once and returned.

Jan 27th
McDeeling (possible MacWheeling above) came down and reported 50 Boers at Brandilei Dam, Meyer returned half way with me. Saw troop of Boers at sunset and returned I rode on alone. Did not meet them arrived, at Brand. At 10.00 p.m.

Jan. 31st
Scouts arrived from Kenhardt, stayed 1 – 6 am then left for Dorns.
Scouts and Sacks left at 6 am at 7 am Boers rode in and searched for him but could not find him but did not follow the road. Went out Bushmanland road no boy able to take news to Doorms so I started out on bike at 9.30 am arrived at Doorms at 12 midnight was warmed and warned Barewster, Took some medicine for Schakling.

MISSING SECTION

November 1900
Left for Kenhardt to stay with Sacho.
Went with Fischean ( W. B. Hunter died April 1901 ) in wagon to Lefingstore. G. (Green) River.

December 17th:
Baby Woodfull and Practor arrived Brandilei to spend Xmas

Jan. 1st 1901:
Baby and Practor left for Prieska. Rumors of Boers

Jan. 21st 1901:
Theummissens Commando came into Brand Vlei

Jan. 26th 1901:
Dudder taken prisoner, rode to Gudesste Noorus

Jan. 31st:
Blent again to Woorus

Feb. 1st
Bewsller and MacWeeling shot

about Feb. 22nd
Post cart arrived in Brand Vlei and too Francis and me to Calvinia

April 7th
Tried to return to Brandi Wei but had to turn back

April 14th
Left for Cape Town

April 16th
Arrived at Clan William had dance & concert

April 18th
Arrived at Picquetberg Rd. where we entrained for Cape Town. Stayed at Pardebosh until July 4th 1901

July 4th
Embarked on R.M.S. Norsman for Port Elizabeth

July 6th
Came to Beach Hotel, Hurmenwood

Nov. 26th
Sailed on S.S. Johannesburg for England

April 1902
Went to Paris and Lemoges

July 23rd 1902
Sailed on Assaye for Cape Town & P.E. (Port Elizabeth)

August 1902
Stayed at Mon Park, Port Elizabeth

DOCUMENT NUMBER: FIVE

No: ….. 1 ….. Date: …..….. 12th April …........ 1901
Full Name: …................. Mrs Cooper ……..................................
Address: ….....................................................................................

No of Barrells...................... / ….......1 …..... / …................
Bore...............................…../.…....................../..........…........
No. of Weapons................../..Sporting Rifle..../......................
Maker................................../..Shotgun............./......................
Nature of Weapon............../............................./.....................

Signature of permit Holder
Signature of Commanding Officer
Charles Kirkwood
Capt.
Commanding

DOCUMENT NUMBER: SIX
O.H.M.S.

NO: …....... 117 …........
Date:............. 8th March 1901 …............

Permit:........... Miss Wells …..................................................................................
…............................................. of ….. Calvinia ….................................................
to be out …............................................... at any hour of the night …...................
to burn a light in …........................... her ….................................................room
of ….................... house.
Until further notice.
Unable to read Signature
…...................................................
Commandant

DOCUMENT NUMBER: SEVEN

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Permit No: …........... 10 …........
Date: ….......... 7th April 1901 …..........
Place: ….......... Calvinia …..........
Pass: ….......... Miss Wells ….........
From: ….......... Calvinia …...........
To: ….......... Brand Vlei ….......
Between dates: ….....................….......... and ….....................…......

Signature of} Beatrice Wells Pass Owner}
Signature and}
Designation } …..Charles Kirkwood.............of Issuer}
Capt.
Commanding

DOCUMENT NUMBER: EIGHT

O.H.M.S.

Permit No: …........... 14 …........
Date: ….......... 12th April 1901 …..........
Place: ….......... Calvinia …..........
Pass: ….......... Miss Cooper & Miss Wells ….........
From: ….......... Calvinia …...........
To: ….......... Piquetbero Roads ….......
Between dates: ….......... 12th April ….......... and …..........20th April 1901 …......

Signature of} Beatrice Wells / Frances Cooper Pass Owner}
Signature and}
Designation } …..Charles Kirkwood...............................
of Issuer} Capt.
Commanding

DOCUMENT NUMBER: NINE

CAPE COLONY

No: …........... 74284 …........

Mrs .......... Cooper …....... Miss Wells …........
of …....... Calvinia …..... has authority to …
proceed from........... Piquetbero Rd. …...........
to …........ Capetown …........ on ….. 19.4.01 ..
and return......... Crossed out ...............

Office Stamp
Piquetbero Road
Unable to read Signature
….....................................................
Signed By Commandant

DOCUMENT NUMBER: ELEVEN

Permission is hereby granted to Miss Wells to have candles or gaslight lights all night the Commercial Hotel during the period of her stay in Calvinia.

Calvinia
23/2/01
Sydney C. Fichat
Capt. K F S
Commandant
DOCUMENT NUMBER: TWELVE

Brand Vlei
Calvinia, C. Colony
Feb. 3rd, 1901

My Darling Mother

Such a great deal has been happening lately & we have had such exciting times. I don't know when I shall be able to send this letter as we are cut off from everywhere now. Kenhard, Carnarvon and Calvinia post roads are all closed.

LETTER WAS CUT SHORT AND PAPER WAS USED FOR DIARY AS SHOWN IN DOCUMENT NO. TWO

Beatrice Carkeet Dalzell Wells is mentioned as Beatrice Wells in " Service Records of British and Colonial Women," "A record of the service in South Africa of Military and Civilian Nurses, Laywomen and Civilians," by Sheila Gray..... She is just listed as Civilians in Support Service (Pretoria).....

It is thought that she may have gone on to the stage after the war and used to put on concerts for wounded soldiers during World War One (pre ENSA)..... I have not been able to verify this but there are a large number of newspaper clippings mentioning a Bernice Wells as sample below......

The Leicester Chronical and Leicester Mercury
Saturday, April 24th, 1915
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At the Groby-road Sanatorium, on Saturday evening, an enjoyable concert was arranged by Miss Beatrice Wells and Mr. Reg. Bocking, which was greatly appreciated by the men, nurses and staff, Miss Davis (matron) was present. Mr. W. H. Brain occupied the chair. The programme was as follows:- Pianforte solo, Miss Bertha Harris; quartette, “The Battle Eve,” encore Miss Beatrice Wells, Miss K. Raynes, Mr. Reg. Bocking, and Mr. Geo. Grooncock; song, “Land of Jope and Glory,” encore “Robin Adair,” Miss Beatrice Wells; duet, “Baracolle,” Miss Beatrice Wells and Miss Kittie Rayns; song, “Sincerity,” encore “The Rosary,” Mr. Reg. Bocking; song, Somewhere a Voice is Calling,” encore “My Little Lady,” Miss Kittie Rayns; quartette, “Annie Laurie”; duet “My Motor Car,” encore, Watchman, What of the Night.” Mr. Reg. Bocking and Mr. Geo. Groocock; song, “When You Come Home” encore “Little Grey Home in the West,” Miss Beatrice Wells; monologue, “The Student,” encore “How I Drove the Special.” Mr. Geo. Groocock; song, “Bird of Love Divine,” Miss Kittie Rayns; song, “I'll Sing Thee Songs of Araby,” encore “Love's Devotion,” Mr. Reg. Bocking; song, “Up From Somerset,” encore “Parted,” Mr. Geo. Grooncock; quartette, “The Minstrel Boy.” Accompanist Miss Bertha Harris. Choruses of popular songs were, at the close, heartily sung by the men. Pte. C. J. Simpson, of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, on behalf of his comrades, suitably thanked the artistes.