Biography

Margaret Finley was born on 14th June 1910 in West Malvern. She was educated at Wychcrest School, West Malvern and Cheltenham Ladies College. In 1933 she started nurse training at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, qualifying in 1937. She then undertook midwifery training. She was commissioned into the QAIMNS as a Staff Nurse in October 1938, and was posted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley. In July 1939 she was posted to the Military Families Hospital, Hilsea, and promoted to Sister in October.1.

Nursing Service in WW2

In November 1939 206153 Sister FINLEY, Margaret Raven, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) was posted to No.5 General Hospital then at Folkestone, but soon to move to Le Treport, France. She was evacuated from Cherbourg in June 1940 and posted firstly to the Military Hospital Shorncliffe and then to the Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital, London. In August 1940 she embarked for India arriving at British Military Hospital Mhow in September. By 1941 she was serving in Bangalore and then in 1942 she was posted to Bombay where No. 3 General Hospital was forming for service in Malaya. In January 1942 she embarked for Singapore2.

By February the nurses were being evacuated as Singapore fell. She left Singapore on the SS Kuala, which was sunk by Japanese bombers on February 14, 1942.

… listed as missing, fate unknown3 …

She was the daughter of Harry and Lillian Finley. She died at sea February 14, 1942, and her name is recorded on the Singapore Memorial Column 1134

References

  1. Summary of military career compiled by family member. The Museum of Military Medicine 2019.204
  2. Army Service Record (Summary)
  3. Pether, M. (2012) SS Kuala Researched Passenger List version 3.3.5 (available from the COFEPOW website)
  4. Commonwealth War Graves Commission