alistair_m Posted 25 November , 2016 Share Posted 25 November , 2016 Having spent considerable time researching my grandfather Capt BB Murdoch (RFA) and Great Uncle Maj TF Murdoch (Black Watch), I would like to turn my attention to their sister, my great Aunt Susannah Murdoch. Susannah was born in Sydney, NSW, in approximately 1889, although spent much of her life in Scotland. She died in the 1970's. I have been told that Susanah served in French military hospitals or possibly clearing stations between 1914-1918, but I can find no reference, and to be honest, have little idea of where to start looking in this instance. If anyone could point me in the right direction, I would be most grateful. Many thanks Alistair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBrook Posted 25 November , 2016 Share Posted 25 November , 2016 She commenced studies as a medical student at Edinburgh University on October 9 [1917] and was registered as a medical student, in Scotland, on October 16 having passed the necessary preliminary examination, "Edin. Arts. Sci. Prel.; September, 1917". From the Register of Medical Students on ancestry.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf mcm Posted 25 November , 2016 Share Posted 25 November , 2016 Alistair, A medal roll on Ancestry shows she worked as an Orderly for the British Committee of the French Red Cross between December 1916 and August 1917. She was awarded the British War Medal and British Victory Medal. Regards, Alf McM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistair_m Posted 25 November , 2016 Author Share Posted 25 November , 2016 Wow! How do you guys do this??? I've spent ages and got nowhere - very much appreciated Alistair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 25 November , 2016 Share Posted 25 November , 2016 Medal card also available by searching for her name on The National Archives' Discovery catalogue: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6276736 seaJane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEW Posted 25 November , 2016 Share Posted 25 November , 2016 I had a look through British Nursing Journal archives and didn't spot anything. One hit for her on Trove but it's for her as an executor to the will of Mary Shortrede OR Murdoch, March 1950. TEW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistair_m Posted 25 November , 2016 Author Share Posted 25 November , 2016 Folks, this absolutely fantastic. Thank you for the time you've spent looking up and posting. I was fortunate enough to have known Susanah - or "Nana" as she was referred to by family - and wish I'd known of her activity at the time, although I would imagine, like my other relatives, she would have chosen not to talk of those times. I do wonder why, however, she chose the French Red Cross. I assume the British branch was fully active then and would that not have been more suitable? I remember my father telling me that she was with the French because she couldn't get to serve with the British. Is that just heresay, or could there be an element of truth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 26 November , 2016 Share Posted 26 November , 2016 How old was she at the time? It may have been easier to join the French contingent. I have a feeling that Lyn MacDonald's Flowers of No Man's Land (which is well worth a read, btw) mentions some British girls who nursed with the French because the restrictions for joining weren't so rigorous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistair_m Posted 30 November , 2016 Author Share Posted 30 November , 2016 seaJane, i have her listed as being born in 1889, making her 25 at the time she went to France. She never married as far as I know and spent much of her life living with her younger brother Fleming. I will most certainly look out the book you suggest. My library has grown quite considerably since joining this forum and has provided some fascinating reading. Many thanks again gain for your assistance. Alistair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 30 November , 2016 Share Posted 30 November , 2016 I see she is on the graduation list at the Faculty of Medicine in 1926 at Edinburgh University. So she got to finish her studies. You will find some other hits for her medical studies on FMP's newspapers but all post-war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 30 November , 2016 Share Posted 30 November , 2016 Gosh - she may even have known one of my research targets who was in Edinburgh's Faculty of Medicine at about the same time ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistair_m Posted 9 December , 2016 Author Share Posted 9 December , 2016 For some bizarre reason my email alert has turned itself off :-/ So my apologies for picking these recent replies up late! I'm really very grateful to you all. Although primarily interested in Susannah's war time activity, I'm very pleased to receive information about any stage of her life. I have very little to go on so this all valuable stuff Alistair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 9 December , 2016 Share Posted 9 December , 2016 (edited) Hi Alistair You probably know this having researched Barclay Brown Murdoch O.B.E. Probate was granted on 19.9.1962 to Susannah (Spinster) and Thomas Fleming Murdoch and 2 others when he had died 19.5.1962. Regards Barry Edited 9 December , 2016 by The Inspector Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 11 December , 2016 Share Posted 11 December , 2016 Might also be worth trying the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry? In view of their initial history it seems to suggest the volunteeres started working for the French and Belgians in 1914. Their website shows they have archives but you will need to be patient Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royalredcross Posted 12 December , 2016 Share Posted 12 December , 2016 The medal roll should show either the unit or hospital where she worked. OR, the medal index card will have a reference FRX/ something which will indicate the same. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 12 December , 2016 Share Posted 12 December , 2016 (edited) Hi All There aren't any remarks on the medal award roll for Orderly Susannah S Murdoch and I can't find her MIC Regards Barry Edited 12 December , 2016 by The Inspector Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 13 December , 2016 Share Posted 13 December , 2016 I posted this link to her medal card in post 5 above. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6276736 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 13 December , 2016 Share Posted 13 December , 2016 (edited) Hi All Thanks SJ, yes I tried to find it on Ancestry but no joy, only 11 "Murdochs" on a list of 20. Regards Barry Edited 13 December , 2016 by The Inspector Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royalredcross Posted 13 December , 2016 Share Posted 13 December , 2016 I thought the medal cards for women were not available on Ancestry. Are they not currently with the IWM ? The actual medal rolls for the FRX usually have an indication at the top left of the page indicating the organisation submitting the roll. The medal index card will have a reference such as FRX/1B 345 next to the entry for the BWM and Victory medals. The final part of this reference is the page number in the roll. This can (almost always) be related to the organisation. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistair_m Posted 13 December , 2016 Author Share Posted 13 December , 2016 I love this forum!!!! Many thanks folks, will post updates once I have some Alistair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistair_m Posted 13 December , 2016 Author Share Posted 13 December , 2016 OK...So I've now downloaded the Medal Card, and the only reference I can see on there is FRX/101 B/6 (I think!). And Theatre of War 1A, which I assumes means France & Belgium. Not sure if this gets me any further? A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royalredcross Posted 13 December , 2016 Share Posted 13 December , 2016 If the page number is 6, then this roll was submitted by the Hospital at Arc en Barrois in the Haut Marne province. It was of some 110 beds, later 180, and was situated in the chateau at Arc lent by the Duc de Penthievre. It served mainly the French 3rd army and the staff was almost entirely British. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 13 December , 2016 Share Posted 13 December , 2016 (edited) On the same page in the roll mentioned by Alf (post three) is Doctor Ruth Nicholson a surgeon with the Scottish Women's Hospital. This raises the prospect of Susannah being at one of the two hospitals at Royaumont which tended French casualties. TR Edited 13 December , 2016 by Terry_Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 13 December , 2016 Share Posted 13 December , 2016 Hi All Norman, the medal roll has "SWH" at the top left, what does this mean? Thanks for the info., we live and learn - especially on here! Regards Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 13 December , 2016 Share Posted 13 December , 2016 Barry See my post above no 23. TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now