16 replies to this topic

[hywyn]

I recently picked up local newspaper information , dated 14/1/1016, that Florence Hamer of Caernarfon was taken prisoner in Serbia whilst with the Red Cross.

I had seen articles, but not yet recorded them. of a 'Welsh' medical unit being prepared for duty in Serbia.

Does she feature in anyones research or does anyone know what might have become of her?

Hywyn

[Carmania]

Hywyn

There was a Florence Hart Hamer who served with the Scottish Women's Hospital at Valjevo from 11th September 1915 to 12th February 1916. I have no idea where she came from or if she was a prisoner anywhere.

I found that the birth of Florence Annie Hamer was registered in Caernrfon in the March Qtr of 1890 and also the marriage of a Florence Hamer to Richard P Jenkin, again in Caernarfon District, in the December Qtr of 1927.

The above may or may not have any relation to the lady you are searching for but I thought I would give the details in case they might prove of use.

Hwyl
Aled

[hywyn]

Thanks Aled

That'll be her in the BMD and may very well be her in Valjevo if it wasn't for the middle name. She is on the 1891 but not the 1901 for some reason.
Hopefully one of the Red Cross experts may be able to shed some light on it.


Diolch
Hywyn

[Ken MacLean]

Nurse Hamer (no forename given) was one of the fifty-one members of the 1st and 2nd Scottish Women's Hospital Units who arrived in London on 12 February 1916 after more than two months captivity. Hamer was with the 2nd Unit, which arrived in London via Valjevo-Vrinzi-Budapest-Berne.

(London Times, 14 February 1916)

[hywyn]

Ken
Sorry about the delay in answering.

Thanks for the Times info. It certainly looks as if it's the same person.


Hywyn

[pennyk]

Hello. What is the name of the local newspaper that you found this information in?

I recently picked up local newspaper information , dated 14/1/1016, that Florence Hamer of Caernarfon was taken prisoner in Serbia whilst with the Red Cross.

I had seen articles, but not yet recorded them. of a 'Welsh' medical unit being prepared for duty in Serbia.

Does she feature in anyones research or does anyone know what might have become of her?

Hywyn

[hywyn]

Hi Penny

The newspaper is The Carnarvon Herald and is at the Gwynedd County Archives at Caernarfon, North Wales.

Hywyn

[Don Don]

Hi All,
I came across this article it might be of interest

[hywyn]

Thanks Don

Which newspaper/journal is it from please.


Hywyn

[Don Don]

hywyn, on 09 November 2011 - 03:10 PM, said:

Thanks Don

Which newspaper/journal is it from please.


Hywyn

It's from The Times Newspaper

[hywyn]

Thanks

Hywyn

[Don Don]

I another  news cuttings re: red cross in Serbia

[Rickus]

Hi,

That last copy of a newspaper article mentions a Dr Banks in charge of a Red Cross unit in Serbia.   My grandmother, an Australian nurse with the British Red Cross, served under Dr Banks when the town they were in, Vrnjacka Banja (often spelt Vrnjatchka Banja by English writers in that period) was captured by Austrian troops on November 10, 1915. My grandmother left an interesting description of her adventures after being captured and then released via Switzerland.  If anybody has any information on Dr Banks or his Red Cross unit  I would be most appreciative.


Regards,

[Don Don]

No luck at the moment re Dr Banks.

[CGM]

There is a file about Dr Banks in the Liddle Collection, including photographs.

See here

I have never used the Liddle collection so I'm afraid I can't tell you if these papers can be accessed from Australia.

CGM

[Rickus]

I would like to thank you CGM for your dectective work.
Today I received photocopies of Dr Bank's personal accounts of his Serbian adventure - interesting parrallels with my grandmother's written account.  Two of the photos are group shots of doctors, nurses and VADs centered around Thomas Lipton (the tea merchant) who took supplies there in 1915.
Without your kindness I never would have seen this information.
Best regards.

[CGM]

I am very pleased for you.Your grandmother must have been a remarkable woman.

I owe the forum a great deal and am really glad when I can pay back by helping someone else.

I have done some more searching - have you seen this diary - available as a free download from the Guttenberg Press - it mentions Thomas Lipton so could also be interesting to you.

See here