Biography

Florence May CURRIER was born in St Georges, Wellington in Shropshire, 14 May 18891 2 3. Her father was an Engineer’s Clerk1. By the 1911 Census she was employed as a domestic servant near to home2.

She trained as a nurse at the Oldham Royal Infirmary may 1913 – May 1916, and was employed there before volunteering for service with the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (Reserve)3.

Nursing Service in WW1

After joining the QAIMNSR in February 1917, Staff Nurse Florence May CURRIER was posted to the Military Hospital, Kinmal Park Camp (Kinmel Park Camp was built in 1914 as a training camp for Lord Kitchener’s Army in preparation for serving in the First World War. It had its own branch railway line connecting to the main line at Foryd Station in Rhyl, North Wales)3. Her report in September 1918 stated:

Staff Nurse F. Currier Q.A.I.M.N.S.R. has worked at this hospital for one year and six months. She is kind and willing but lacks experience in ward management and needs to work under supervision3.

She was posted to the BEF in France in September 1918, working mainly at 2 General Hospital in Le Havre. Her report from this hospital stated:

S/N Currier has served in this hospital since 12.9.18 as S/Nurse Medical Section and Night Duty. Her professional ability is up to the average. Administrative capacity good. Temper good. Tact and judgement good. Energetic, reliable and punctual in all her duties. S/N Currier has not done any charge duty since coming to France. With experience she will make a good Sister3.

She was demobilised in July 19193. Whilst she was in Le Havre, Sir John Lavery painted a picture of her along with a VAD. This picture is in the Imperial War Museum – “Le Havre, 1919: Nurse Billam and Sister Currier” (wrongly titled as Sister Currier)4.

References

  1. The National Archives: England Census 1901 RG13; 2523/ 63 /66
  2. The National Archives: England Census 1911 RG14; 16005; 193
  3. The National Archives: War Office 399/1968 Currier, Florence May
  4. http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/16283