description
Object description
British nurse served with British Medical Aid Unit in Spain, 12/1936-8/1938
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Preston, GB, 1909-1930: family's political views; joining Labour Party League of Youth; recruitment to Independent Labour Party; relations between local Communist Party and Independent Labour Party; reactions of locals to her visit as delegate to Soviet Union, 1926; story of relative arrested during anti-Fascist demonstration; family relations during general elections.
REEL 2 Continues: Aspects of period as student with Hillcroft Women's College in Surbiton, GB, 1930-1931: background to enrolment with college; opinion of social studies. Aspects of period as nurse in GB, 1931-1936: nursing training, 1931-1935; work in London hospital; contact with Wally and Esther Tapsell. Recollections of period as nurse with British Medical Aid Unit in Spain, 12/1936-8/1938: interview; journey to Spain, 9/1936; leaving employment with hospital in London.
REEL 3 Continues: initial impressions of Spain; political views of nurses; move to Granen; supplies and equipment; training of Spanish women in basic nursing; setting up of field hospital; work looking after civilians; ransacked church in Granen; question of disappearances amongst Republican forces; music and speeches organised by Spanish; protection of wounded Moor from civilians; question of treatment of Nationalist wounded.
REEL 4 Continues: relations with Spanish civilians; French attitude towards International Brigade personnel and nurses; leave in GB, 5/1937; rumours of changing situation, 1938; nursing Fred Copeman at Benicassim; Nationalist shelling of Benicassim; move to Barcelona; return to GB, 3/1938; unification of Republican groups into Republican Army; morale amongst Republican forces.
REEL 5 Continues: Aspects of period as fundraiser with Spanish Medical Aid Committee in GB, 1938-1939: fundraising tour; hostility faced in Oxford; reception at Cambridge women's college.
