Batten, Elizabeth

3rd Sept 1884 Born New Cross Road, London. First of four children of James Isaac Batten and Clara Annie Trill

1902-5 Apprenticed in a drapery business. Her father thought of setting her up in business on her own account, but although she completed her apprenticeship, she decided this was not what she wanted

1905-6 At a convent in Brittany, learning French and needlework

1906 Started nursing in a small hospital in Kentish Town, the matron being an old friend of her father's. (Her father was a caterer for Guys and University College hospitals and later Middlesex Hospital.)

1907-11 Trained as a nurse at Royal Free Hospital

1912 Midwifery course for 3 months at University College Hospital. Awarded CMB March. Worked nights on the district in a very poor area, and in the wards by day.

Jun or Jul Went as night sister to Chest Hospital, Victoria 1912 Road East,, and was put on day duty 6 months later in a men's ward with 43 patients. 20 were t.b. patients and spent half the day in the grounds, supervised by a retired army sergeant.

August 1914 Asked by Matron at Royal Free Hospital to assist with preparation of newly-built out-patient department for the reception of wounded officers. A number of simple rooms intended for medical students and nursing staff were reserved for senior officers. Altogether there was accommodation for 150 offices.

1919 Offered post of Sister-in-charge of Marlborough Maternity Section, RFH. Ward opened Jan 1920.

April 14 1921-Dec 1924 In charge at Endsleigh Street extension (maternity)

1925-1932 Opened a small nursing home with a friend, Miss Little. 82 Adelaide Road, Swiss Cottage. Closed 1932.

1932-36 Private nursing

Jan-Oct 1937 Kept house for her brother Jack and two small children in India

1937-March Private nursing in Brighton

April 1938- Feb 1939 Nursing sister at King's College of Household and Social Science, Notting Hill Gate (now Queen Elizabeth College).

Feb 1939 Sick leave. Patient at Royal Free Hospital

Sept 1939 Declaration of war terminated college appointment

Dec 1939 Working at a nursing home at Hawkhurst

1940-41 King's College having been evacuated to Wales, she was asked to return, and was first at College Hall, Llannishen, Cardiff. Later the College moved to Leicester, and she ran two hostels, Knighton Hayes, and Crowbank 31 Chapel Lane

? private nursing. No records of this period.

1948 her brother and his family returned from India, and she thereafter kept house for them till she was in her 80's.

She spent the last years of her life at Brackenbridge House, S. Ruislip, and died there on 31st July, 1984.

Elizabeth Batten's younger sister, Mary Batten (afterwards Campbell) 1886-1973 trained and nursed at King's College Hospital till her marriage in 1916.