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Continuing with a series of articles to coincide with our exhibition, Caring for the Community: The Development of Medicine in Newry and Mourne, we look this week at how the First World War impacted on the careers of local doctors and nurses.
Medical care during the First World War was provided by the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) and various nursing services assisted by voluntary organisations such as the British Red Cross and Voluntary Aid Detachments. A shortage of naval and army doctors led, in September 1915, to War Emergency Committees urging all medical practitioners of military age who were physically fit to enroll in preparation for service.
Local newspapers record many doctors from around the district enlisting and taking leave from their jobs in local dispensaries and hospitals. Dr Fergus Floyd, medical officer of Kilkeel Workhouse and dispensary district, joined the RAMC as a Temporary Lieutenant in October 1916, three months after the death of his only son, Second-Lieutenant Haydn Floyd (Royal Flying Corps). He served for one year, during which he was stationed on board a hospital ship which was torpedoed in the English Channel. Captain John P Kean, RAMC, the medical officer for the Meigh dispensary district also survived the sinking of a hospital ship, the Britannic, in the Agean Sea in October 1916. Not all medics were as fortunate. David Henry (Harry) Ferris, from Newry had taken all but one of his medical exams at the outbreak of the First World War when he applied for the post of Surgeon Probationer in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. He was aboard HMS Broke during the Battle of Jutland when he was killed in action on the 31st May 1916.
A meeting of the Newry Board of Guardians in early February 1918 discussed the shortage of doctors at home and the demand for doctors in the services. Dr Thomas Cronin had been employed as temporary medical officer for the Poyntzpass dispensary district, but the Local Government Board would not sanction his appointment, as he was eligible for the RAMC. Dr McDermott, the medical officer for Donaghmore dispensary district was asked to take on the role in addition to his own work.
Such was the need for doctors at home that, Dr SJ Scott, who served as a Captain with the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Ulster Division) in France, resumed his medical practice at Bessbrook in March 1916, after the authorities were petitioned by the people to grant him his discharge to look after the health of the district.
Many local women joined nursing regiments such as Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) and its reserve. Despite this, only Ethel Devenish-Meares, QAIMNS(R) is listed on Newry’s Roll of Honour. She served throughout the war as Sister and Matron in hospitals in France and Belgium. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross 2nd Class on 1 January 1917, and 1st Class on 3 June 1919. She received the Military Medal for bravery and conspicuous devotion to duty in October 1917, whilst in charge of a Casualty Clearing Station in Flanders she received injuries to her face, forearm and thigh during an air raid.
Sister Margaret Rafferty, QAIMNS(R) from Newry was called up for duty in October 1915. After leaving Liverpool on a hospital ship, she travelled to the Dardanelles (Gallipoli Campaign), and in 1916 embarked on another hospital ship to Egypt and India. From June 1916, until she was demobilised in March 1919, Nurse Rafferty was in Mespotamia, primarily based in a hospital for wounded officers in Basrah (now Iraq).
In addition, many local women served as volunteers in Voluntary Aid Detachments (VAD). In June 1917 an urgent appeal to women was issued for the purpose of enrolling VAD members for military hospital service. Olive Montgomery of Ivy Lodge, Newry volunteered for Red Cross work as a member of the VAD (Co Down, 34) and served in the 2nd Western General Hospital in Manchester. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross 1st Class in October 1917 in recognition of her valuable services.
The services of the medical profession would be called upon again the Second World War. Next week’s article looks at the career of Newry doctor, Mr Christopher Shortall, who served as a surgeon in the RAF.
Entry to Caring for the Community: The Development of Medicine in Newry and Mourne is free and the exhibition runs until early September 2023. For further information please contact the Assistant Curator at 0330 137 4608.
The Museum is currently offering free tours of the exhibition galleries on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.
Please visit our website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk
