IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0120 GC/80
Held at: Wellcome Library
Title: Batten, Elizabeth (1884-1984)
Date(s): 1912-1927
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: 1 box and 1 o/s folder
Name of creator(s): Batten | Elizabeth | 1884-1984 | nurse
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
Born, 1884; apprenticed in a drapery business. Her father thought of setting her up in business on her own account, but although she completed her apprenticeship, she decided this was not what she wanted, 1902-1905; at a convent in Brittany, learning French and needlework, 1905-1906; started nursing in a small hospital in Kentish Town, 1906; trained as a nurse at Royal Free Hospital, 1907-1911; midwifery course for 3 months at University College Hospital. Awarded CMB March. Worked nights on the district in a very poor area, and in the wards by day, 1912; went as night sister to Chest Hospital, Victoria 1912 Road East, and was put on day duty 6 months later in a men's ward with 43 patients. 20 were TB patients and spent half the day in the grounds, supervised by a retired army sergeant, 1912; asked by Matron at Royal Free Hospital to assist with preparation of newly-built out-patient department for the reception of wounded officers. A number of simple rooms intended for medical students and nursing staff were reserved for senior officers. Altogether there was accommodation for 150 offices, 1914; offered post of Sister-in-charge of Marlborough Maternity Section, RFH, 1919; Ward opened Jan 1920; in charge at Endsleigh Street extension (maternity), Apr 1921-Dec 1924; opened a small nursing home with a friend, Miss Little. 82 Adelaide Road, Swiss Cottage, 1925-1932; private nursing, 1932-1936; kept house for her brother Jack and two small children in India, Jan-Oct 1937; private nursing in Brighton, 1937-1938; nursing sister at King's College of Household and Social Science, Notting Hill Gate (now Queen Elizabeth College), Apr 1938- Feb 1939; sick leave. Patient at Royal Free Hospital, Feb 1939; working at a nursing home at Hawkhurst, Dec 1939; King's College having been evacuated to Wales, she was asked to return, and was first at College Hall, Llannishen, Cardiff. Later the College moved to Leicester, and she ran two hostels, Knighton Hayes, and Crowbank 31 Chapel Lane, 1940-1941; her brother and his family returned from India in 1948 and she thereafter kept house for them till she was in her 80's; died, 1984.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Photographs, certificates and other memorabilia from Elizabeth Batten's nursing career mainly at the Royal Free Hospital, c 1907-1927.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
Conditions governing access:
The papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Photocopies/photographs/microfilm are supplied for private research only at the Archivist's discretion. Please note that material may be unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds, and that photographs cannot be photocopied in any circumstances. Readers are restricted to 100 photocopies in twelve months. Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.
Finding aids:
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Miscellaneous documents relating to Miss Batten's nursing career given by her niece, Mrs J. Sylvester Bradley in August 1985. Her badges and Royal Free Hospital nurses cape and buckle have been transferred to the Wellcome Gallery at the Science Museum.
ALLIED MATERIALS
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Copied from the Wellcome Library catalogue by Sarah Drewery.
Date(s) of descriptions: Jan 2009