The year was 1941 and Brenda's career in T nursing had just begun.
Casualties of war were being transported out of London to wards in neighbouring counties. The city had been decimated in the Blitz, hospitals were over-subscribed and it was deemed safer for some chronic patients to be moved outside the capital.
In Kent, where Brenda started her nursing career, patients were treated in make-shift prefabs. Nurses worked on poorly equipped wards and spent their night shifts making woolly balls and sanitary towels, because there were no funds to buy them.
There was no heating, so when it was cold the nurses used ceramic hot water bottles to keep the beds aired for incoming casualties.
One of the casualties was a little girl caught in a bomb blast in London. She lost an eye when V2 rockets struck.
Virtually silent, the V2s took everyone by surprise.
"Civilians were caught in the blast before anyone knew what was happening and many were injured by bombs and flying glass," says Brenda.
After nine months in Kent, Brenda went to work at Guy's Hospital in London. The tunnels linking the ward to the nurse's accommodation were dark and unwelcoming. The silence was interrupted only by the sounds of footsteps, mice, rats, and hissing pipes. It was nerve-wracking at times.
Denne historien er fra August 09, 2022-utgaven av My Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 09, 2022-utgaven av My Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
I Can't Wait To Play The Queen Mum
Gracing screens, treading boards, royal roles much-loved actress Dame Penelope Wilton has done it all!
TAKING CANCER TO THE CATWALK X
Teacher Mary Jones reflects on the extraordinary way her breast cancer diagnosis challenged her view on womanhood and ultimately led her to a London catwalk
Fighting For All Women
Diagnosed with breast cancer aged 36, Jessica Parsons is raising awareness of the disease in younger women
The Fall Guy
Surely Caitlin’s boyfriend had nothing to do with all the drama going on at the jeweller’s...
The Widow At Number Ten
There were many secrets to unpack in this old house
Old Habits Die Hard
Even for our lively suburb, gunshots were pretty unusual and was curious to find out what was going on
A Wedding To Remember
Surely nothing would spoil this special day.
Distinctly Feline Flavour
Desperation forces Chris to add something unusual to his cup of tea!
The Old Burgundy Book
Within its ageing pages Rosie found a story of fading romance and a fresh chance for love to bloom...
The Haunted Ballroom
Mysteries swirled around this magical place...