Catalogue

Interview
1168, LO/515/465
Leicester Oral History Archive Collection

Speaker: Prior, Gertrude Ellen [Trudi], 1910 - , Interviewee, Female, Matron
Speaker: Hyde, C, Interviewer, Male

Summary of interview item: Recalls always wanting to be nurse, using 'Truby King' training with children at St Thomas, London. Describes pay and training in Oxford and London. Recalls acceptance of not being able to continue after marriage, duties as ward sister at Oxford, dealing with pneumonia, influenza. Describes work and conditions in Territorial Army nursing service in Greece during Second World War, mentions use of Pronticil, training in administration after the war. Talks about coming to Leicester General Hospital (LGH), meeting matron Norah Claye, administrative set up at LGH. Anecdotes about needing to discipline people, not treading on people's toes when first arriving. Mentions duties, changes to wards, dealing with doctors. Describes 1955 LGH Jubillee celebrations. Mentions a fire, first television. Talks about nurses from abroad, attitudes to creation of State Enrolled Nurses in 1943. Brief mention of cockroaches at LGH. Reflects on friendliness of LGH, tackling the feeling of being 'poor relation' to the Leicester Royal Infirmary, changes of uniform in the 1960s.
Place of birth: Cambridge
Education:
Marital Status: Single, Children: None
Father's Occupation: Butcher
Mother's Occupation: Housewife
Location: County: Leicestershire
Location: Town/Place: Leicester
Periods Covered: 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s
Language: English

Recording Date: 30/11/1988
Playing time: 1 hr 30 mins
Access Restrictions: Restricted Item Copyright: EMOHA
Summary: Yes
Transcription: No
Copies: yes
Cross Reference:

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Last updated: 08/05/02 East Midland Oral History Archive Web maintainer This document has been approved by the head of department or section.