[NV029] : Beverley at St George's 1948-1955


Beverley: St. George's 1948-1955 Click photo to read and listen to her story

Born 17th July 1929 in London. Brought up on the Isle of Wight, where her grandmother lived, due to the war. She was educated at a tiny private school, together with her sister and later her brother.

She began training in 1948, just a month or two after Matron Hanks retired and Matron Powell started. This was six months before the arrival of the NHS, in July.

In her three years training, Beverley did one three monthly stint at Tite Street at a time when Children were not allowed out of bed to play, and one annual stint at Atkinson Morley.

Visitors were only allowed on a Sunday afternoon. No parents at any other day of the week. Everything was rationed, so sweets went into a big box and they were all given one sweet after each meal. Fruit was brought in and they used to make fruit salad for the patients to have after their tea each day.

She also did theatre work at AMH with Wylie McKissock. She asked to do theatre for her last year. She loved theatre.

She asked Matron to be allowed to stay on for a fourth year. She had her name down for the maternity unit at the West Middlesex. She was put in charge of Men’s Casualty

To read & listen to Beverley's experiences whilst at St George's please click on Beverley's Story