Sister Mary Coupar, TFNS

[gnr.ktrha]

Hello,

I saw a victory medal named to the above Sister and I was wondering if anyone knew anything about her? You see, my name is also Coupar and if she came from the 'Right' area, she may well be a relative.

I have done a little digging and think she may have been awarded a ARRC and been MID'ed, but that is all I have found.

Thanks for looking,

Stewart

[Sue Light]

Stewart

She has a file at The National Archives, WO399/10578. TFNS files don't have application forms or much personal detail, as the recruitment was done locally, and papers retained in that area [i've never found any surviving], but there is often enough in the file to pinpoint an address or next-of-kin details. She appears in the British Journal of Nursing with brief details of her ARRC - just use the single word 'Coupar' to search:

British Journal of Nursing

If she continued working as a nurse after 1922, her name will appear in registers of either the General Nursing Council for England and Wales, or the GNC for Scotland, depending on her place of registration. The registers for England and Wales are at The National Archives [Class DT10/], and for Scotland at the Scottish National Archives. If you're not able to check yourself, the Royal College of Nursing Archives in Edinburgh will do a search of both sets for a fee - the contact details can be found if you follow links from the previous one for the BJN. I notice that her name does not appear in the BJN post-war, and while she might have continued to nurse, there is always the possibility that she either married, or changed track. I think her NA file is the best starting place.

Sue

[royalredcross]

I have the 1928 Register of Nurses - she does not appear in that.

Norman

[gnr.ktrha]

Hello and thank you both for your replies. I have found her on the BJN website. It appears he did get the 2nd Class RRC for service in Salonika! Would she have worked in a TF only medical unit, or a mixed unit? It's all very interesting.

Norman, does you list only cover England and Wales? I did do a quick search of the 1901 Census of England and Wales, but did not find her, I don't think.

Thank you once again for all of your help and advice.

Regards,

Stewart

[Sue Light]

Stewart

The 1901 census for Scotland gives a Mary Coupar as follows - her profession makes her a likely candidate:

Mary Coupar

Born: Abt. 1880 in Edinburgh

Living: Sciennes Road, Edinburgh

Probationer Nurse, Edinburgh Hospital for Sick Children.

And tracing her back to the 1891 census, shows her to be:

Living: 6 Lauriston Gardens, Edinburgh

Daughter of: John and Lily Coupar

Occupation of John Coupar: Commercial Traveller

Siblings: Lily, John, James and Charles Coupar

There are plenty of other Mary Coupars, but most are either married, or not the right age group.

As far as her work in Salonika goes, she could have been working either in a Territorial Hospital, or any other British Military Hospital staffed by both QAIMNS/Reserve and TFNS.

Sue

[gnr.ktrha]

Hello Sue,

Thank you for the the information, that is very interesting. That's the same hospital I did my training at when I left the Artillery!

If I find out anything else about her I will let you know.

Regards,

Stewart

[royalredcross]

Yes, the Register of Nurses covers only England and Wales. Scotland produced a separate register.

The earliest I have is for 1927 and the latest 1944. I can always do a look-up.

Otherwise, as Sue says, it's the National Archive and DT10.

Norman

[Sue Light]

Dear Norman

Please will you leave them to me in your will

Sue