| Personal Details |
| Name: | Sister R Kennedy |
| Type: | Staff |
| Born in camp? |
No |
| Age died: | |
| Died in camp? |
No |
| Gender: | female |
| Race: | white |
| Occupation: | nurse |
| Notes: | 1/3/1901: Described by Dr Pern as 'invaluable'
'Sister Kennedy has done splendid work in her domain battling against the incessant difficulties. She is the daughter of a clergyman close to Salcombe, and has been out here nursing sixteen months, but she is not a War Office nurse. So she has worked in this camp since its formation for the 5/- a day and rations of a civilian - without the field allowance or colonial allowance of an Army nurse. When I tell you we have had some 70 cases of typhoid besides an epidemic of measles, pneumonia, tonsilitis and other cases you will realize what the strain on her has been. In addition, she has had the worry of nothing ready to her hand - the very hospitals only built by degrees through it all. And to crown the work, she has had the task of training Boer girls to work under her. Until lately she has had to get meals how and when she can. She is very small and delicate but full of pluck.' [van Reenen, Hobhouse Letters. p. 77] |
| Unique ID: | 125 |
| Camp History |
| Name: | Bloemfontein RC |
| Date appointed (as staff): | By 1/3/1901 |
| Notes: | 15/3/1901: Superintendent, Bloemfontein, to CSRC, re Sister Kennedy's application to join the Army Nursing staff;
16/3/1901: CSRC to PMO, Bloemfontein, forwarding application and noting that she has done exceedingly good work at the local RC; hopes she will not be taken from her present duties.
21/3/1901: CSRC to Superintendent, Bloemfontein, returning testimonials; 'she gives me to understand that she does not wish to go into Military employ provided she can obtain rations for her horse'. Is trying to organise this.
25/9/1901: Pern to Superintendent, Bloemfontein: Has asked Sister Kennedy about remaining in the camp; she does not intend to stay; she will give her reasons to Superintendent personally. Asks for at least one more trained nurse, if not 2.
5/10/1901: Sister Kennedy to PMO, Bloemfontein: As there is no vacancy in the post she applied for, she proposes returning to England as soon as possible. Is willing to stay on for another week or 10 days but wants 3 days free after leaving off duty to make arrangements for her journey.
Note: Pern to CSRC: Considers it best to retain Sister Kennedy's services till he can provide a nurse to take her place. Asks permission for her to remain in camp for 3 days she asks for. |
| Sources |
| Title: | A 2030 Ploeger Archive |
| Type: | Ploeger Archive |
| Location: | National Archives, Pretoria |
| Reference No.: | 67 |
| Dates: | 1900-1902 |
| Notes: | VAB: CO 43 2390/01: 12/6/1901: CSRC to Secy ORC Administration |
| Title: | SRC 14 |
| Type: | Correspondence |
| Location: | VAB |
| Reference No.: | 14 |
| Dates: | Sept-Oct 1901 |
| Notes: | RC5393, 25/9/1901, Pern to CSRC and related correspondence |
| Title: | SRC 02 |
| Type: | Correspondence |
| Location: | VAB |
| Reference No.: | 02 |
| Dates: | Feb 1901-7 Mar 1901 |
| Notes: | RC315!, 1/3/1901, Dr Pern to Superintendent, Bloemfontein |
| Title: | SRC 03 |
| Type: | Correspondence |
| Location: | VAB |
| Reference No.: | 03 |
| Dates: | Mar 1901 RC497-779 |
| Notes: | RC610, 15/3/1901, Superintendent, Bloemfontein to CSRC and related correspondence |
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British Concentration Camps