Bill Snelgrove engaged members of the Tenby Historical Society at its last meeting with a lively account of the life of Florence Nightingale, an account given more relevance by a family connection. She was born in 1820 and named after the place of her birth; both Florence and her sister, Parthenope, received an excellent education - especially in classics and, unusually for the time, mathematics. Indeed, such was the standing of Florence Nightingale as a classical scholar that, in later life, she corresponded on the subject with Benjamin Jowett, Master of Balliol College. But neither study nor society (her family was well connected and invited to Queen Victoria's wedding) was to receive her attentions after God spoke to Florence at the age of 17. She clashed with her family in wishing to 'get her hands dirty', to eschew a privileged lifestyle in order to benefit those less well-off. In her late 20s, she stated that she wished to become a nurse; this at a time when nurses in Britain were of very low status. Although of a Protestant family, Florence Nightingale was trained by Catholic nuns on the Continent and returned to nurse in London. The Crimean War had started in 1853 to contain the Russians, and was the first war to be photographed and to have a war correspondent. The British forces were stuck for two years outside Sebastopol in horrific conditions and the reports returning to Britain caused an outcry. Florence Nightingale's family connections with Prime Minister Lord Russell and friendship with Sidney Herbert, Minister of War, led to them inviting her to take 38 volunteer nurses to care for the wounded of the Crimea. Nightingale arrived on November 5, 1854, at the time of the Battle of Inkerman. Her base was Scrutari in Turkey, the main military hospital for the region, which covered four square miles. The military doctor, Dr. John Hall and Florence Nightingale soon became mutual enemies. Despite the vast amount of space, there were no beds for the wounded who were spread on the floor in insanitary conditions. On November 9 there was a terrific storm and, in the midst of it, thousands of men arrived at the hospital. Out of 2,349 only 34 survived; the main cause of death was cholera. Florence, a great administrator, transformed the running of the hospital and obtained equipment and supplies. But she was also a very 'hands-on' woman and would kneel for eight hours beside a dying man; it is true that a British soldier kissed the shadow of 'The Lady of The Lamp'. When the war ended in March 1956, Florence wouldn't leave until the last soldier had left. Back in England she set about establishing a nursing profession and the 'Nightingale Nurses' were know for their professionalism and high standards. She was also asked by the British Government to advise on the medical care of the military in India. Florence produced a vast report with sophisticated and pioneering use of statistics (she was to become the first female member of the Royal Statistical Society) which was published at her own expense. After her experiences in the Crimea, she was bitter about military honours for 'medical men', although Edward VII later awarded Florence the Order of Merit. The founder of the nursing profession is buried in Hampshire, her tombstone simply engraved 'FN: 1820-1910'. The next meeting of the society will be on Tuesday, May 6, at 7.30 pm, at the Bowling Club in Sutton Street. The Rev. Anthony Bailey will tell of the Legend of St. Teilo's Skull. Non-members will be welcome.
