Catherine Black (nurse) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Catherine Black
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| Born | 12 June 1878 Ramelton, County Donegal, Ireland
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| Died | 7 October 1949 (aged 70) |
| Known for | Nurse to King George V |
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| Profession | Nurse |
| Institutions | Royal London Hospital |
| Sub-specialties | Field hospital nursing |
Catherine Black was a very important nurse who lived from 1878 to 1949. She was known as "Blackie" to her friends and even to the Royal Family! Catherine served bravely during World War I and later became the personal nurse to King George V. She received special awards like the MBE and the RRC for her amazing work.
Who Was Catherine Black?
Catherine Black was born on June 12, 1878, in a place called Ramelton in County Donegal, Ireland. Her family lived in Ardeen House, which was just outside the town. Catherine's father owned a successful shop that sold linen.
When she grew up, Catherine decided to become a nurse. She went to the famous Royal London Hospital to train. While she was there, she became good friends with another nurse named Edith Cavell. Catherine Black passed away in London on October 7, 1949.
Nursing During World War I
When World War I began, Catherine Black was working as a private nurse at the Royal London Hospital. She quickly joined the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. This meant she would help care for soldiers during the war.
Catherine first worked at Cambridge Hospital in Aldershot. After that, she was sent to No. 7 Hospital in St Omer. There, she helped soldiers who were suffering from "shell shock." This was a serious mental health condition caused by the terrible experiences of war.
Later, Catherine was sent to a casualty clearing station in Poperinghe, Belgium. This was a place where wounded soldiers were brought for urgent care. She then worked at the 41st Stationary Hospital at Sailly-Lorette. She cared for many soldiers there until the war ended. She also worked at No. 5 General Hospital in Rouen and other clearing stations.
Nurse to the King
After the war, Catherine Black became the private nurse for King George V. She started working for him in late 1928 because the King was very ill. Her care was so good that she was made a permanent nurse in 1930. She even had her own rooms inside Buckingham Palace! The royal family liked her so much that they called her "Blackie." She continued to care for King George V until he passed away in 1936.
Catherine Black wrote a book about her life called King's Nurse, Beggar's Nurse. In her book, she shared stories about growing up in Donegal and her time nursing in Australia. She also wrote about her experiences as a nurse during World War I. She once said that nurses who worked in war zones "went into [a casualty-clearing station] young and light-hearted. You came out older than any span of years could make you." This shows how much the war affected the nurses.
