Cissy Spence (1886-1976)
Military Medal winner from Hamsterley
The Hamsterley Parish Magazine of October 1917 states:
We hear that Nurse Spence has had a Military Medal conferred upon her… (Durham County Record Office, EP/Ham 27/142)
Thanks to the following site we have a description of how she won the award:
http://www.scarletfinders.co.uk/122.html
On 6/7 July 1917 Cissy was on duty at the Number 11 Casualty Clearing Station in Bailleul. Bombs dropped on and near the station for three hours:
“Throughout, she continued her duties amongst the patients, helping to calm them and tending to those wounded in the bombardment. She showed most remarkable coolness and devotion to duty, and gave a splendid example under very trying circumstances.”
It seems as if Cissy excelled during the war. At various times she acted as Sister, Matron, Theatre Sister and seems to have gained competency in anesthesia.
See also:
http://www.fairestforce.co.uk/10.html
http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/the-great-war/great-war-on-land/casualties-medcal/1140-british-military-nurses-and-the-great-war-a-guide-to-the-services.html#sthash.rw5hDXxy.dpbs
Civil Parish: Hamsterley
Birth date: 1886-Feb-23
Death date: 1976
Armed force/civilian: Civilian
Residence: Hamsterley (1901 census)
Darlington Hospital, Greenbank (1911 census)
Wolverhampton and Staffordshire Hospital – mobilised from in 1914 (QAIMNS Service Record)
Stoneham Nursing Home, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 1922-1923 (QAIMNS Service Record)
Jessamine House, Hamsterley (QAIMNS Service Record, The National Archives, WO 399/7837)
Employment: Nurse
Anesthetist
Theatre sister (QAIMNS Service Record)
Family: Parents: George T Spence (joiner and cartwright), Mary A Spence
Siblings: Mark Spence, Albert Spence (rural auxiliary postman), Anthony Spence, Mary Spence (1911 census)
Husband: Joseph Marquis Greenwell (married 1927)
Military service:
Civil Hospital Reserve, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service
Disembarked in France: 8 August 1914
Demobilised: 4 June 1919
Medal(s): 1914 Star, Military Medal (London Gazette, 17 Sep 1917)
Gender: Female
Contributed by Durham County Record Office