Deborah Hurcomb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deborah Hurcomb
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circa 1900
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| Born |
Deborah Jane Hurcomb
1867 |
| Died | 28 February 1907 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | nurse |
| Years active | 1885-1907 |
| Known for | nursing supervisor of the 2nd Boer War |
Deborah Hurcomb (1867-1907) was a brave Canadian nurse. She trained in Montreal and served during the Second Boer War in South Africa. Deborah was one of only two Canadian nursing supervisors in the war. In 1901, she received an award for her excellent service from the Duke of York, who later became King George V.
Contents
Early Life and Nursing Training
Deborah Jane Hurcomb was born in 1867 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Her mother, Catharine Montgomery, was Canadian. Her father, Philip William Hurcomb, was a British military officer.
Just a few weeks after Deborah was born, her family moved to Alverstoke, England. She grew up and went to school there. Later, her family returned to Canada. Deborah then completed her nursing training at the Montreal General Hospital.
Nursing Career and War Service
After finishing her training, Deborah Hurcomb worked as a private nurse in Montreal. Around 1899, she moved to Ottawa. There, she became the superintendent of the Perley Home for Incurables. A superintendent is like a manager or director.
Serving in the Second Boer War
In 1900, Deborah volunteered to be a nurse during the Second Boer War. This war took place in South Africa. She became a supervisor for the second group of Canadian nurses. These nurses were treated like officers, similar to a lieutenant in the army.
In February 1900, Deborah sailed to South Africa. She traveled with other nurses, including Margaret L. Horne and Margaret Clotilde MacDonald. They joined the first group of nurses at a hospital in Rondebosch.
Helping in Kimberley and Bloemfontein
After two weeks, Deborah and her group moved to Kimberley. They worked in a temporary hospital set up in a building called the Masonic Temple. This hospital had 100 beds for patients.
Soon, many soldiers got sick with dysentery and enteric fever. These are serious illnesses. So, the nurses moved to Bloemfontein to help with the outbreak. Most of the nurses, including Deborah, also got sick. But they kept working to care for the wounded and ill soldiers.
Return to Canada and Awards
In July 1900, Deborah led her group of nurses to Pretoria. They worked at the Irish Hospital there. In December 1900, they sailed back to Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada.
In 1901, Deborah Hurcomb received a special medal. She got it for her service during the war. The medal was given to her by the Duke of York, who later became King George V. Two other nurses, Georgina Pope and Sarah Forbes, also received medals.
Second Tour in South Africa
Deborah returned to South Africa in early 1902. She went with Sarah Forbes, Margaret MacDonald, and Georgina Pope. Four other nurses also joined them. This time, they worked for the British Army's temporary units.
They went to Harrismith with the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles. They were supposed to join a Canadian hospital. However, that hospital had moved. So, the nurses joined the 19th Stationary Hospital instead. This hospital was located between the Drakensberg hills and a small mountain called Platberg.
Battling Illness Again
Deborah and the other nurses cared for about 600 patients. Many of these patients had enteric fever. Deborah had not fully recovered from her first time getting sick. She caught the disease again. In May, she had to return to Canada to recover.
After she got better, Deborah Hurcomb worked as a private nurse in Ottawa.
Later Life and Death
Deborah Hurcomb passed away on February 28, 1907. She was visiting her father at his home in Buffalo, New York at the time. She was later buried in Ottawa, Canada.
