Alice WELFORD

Alice WELFORD. Nursing Sister 2nd Reserve W344 QAIMNSR attached to 65th British General Hospital, Iraq. Born 1887 at Crathorne to James and Mary Welford of Crathorne Yarm, Yorkshire. Died 15 January 1918 aged 30. The cause of her death was a fractured skull and suffocated by submersion when the launch she and other nurses were on, after disembarked at Basra en route to Beit Naama on the river Tigris collided with a Steam Tug shortly after sunset.
Her service medals issued 19 February 1923.
At rest in Basra War Cemetery, Iraq

Notes from her service record downloaded from National Archives. Brief notes -
1911 Hospital nurse at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC.
Enlisted June 1915 Served as Acting Sister in St Ignatius Military Hospital (former Protestant College and School) 30 October 1915 informed of her next posting British Military Hospital (B.M.H.) Gibraltar. Joined June 1915. Posted 65th General Hospital Malta 26 February 1916.
The 65th were mobilized from in Malta 5 July 1917, for service at 48th General Hospital Salonica disembarking 16 July 1917. She was also on duty in No 65 and 28 General Hospitals all in Salonika. Embarked for Egypt 11 December 1917 with 65th on S.S. Minuctonka attached to No 3 British General Hospital Basra, disembarked at Basra 8 January 1918 (When she embarked for Egypt and disembarked at Bandra Basra she was on two ships. No record showing where she and the other nursing staff disembarked in Egypt).
The ship on which they travelled to Iraq anchored off shore near Basra. She and the other nurses disembarked into separate launches. The launch in which she and other nurses were passengers en route to Beit Naama on the river Tigris collided with a Steam Tug shortly after sunset on the 15 January 1918. Total of four lost their lives.
She was laid to rest in Makina Cemetery Block 1, Line G, Grave 13. Now at rest in Basra War Cemetery, Iraq.
The other nurses were -
Sister Fanny Tindall. She received a fractured skull and suffocated by submersion.
Sister Florence O’Doyle Compton, drowned.
Temporary Nurse Florence May Faithful, V.A.D. drowned

Court of Enquiry into her death at 3rd British General Hospital 19 January 1918, by order of Officer Commanding (O.C.) 65th British General Hospital.
Investigation how sister Welford became ‘missing’ in a motor launch accident 15 January 1918
President Major J A Bennett R.A.M.C.
Brief notes.

1st WITNESS. Matron in Chief, Miss Beatrice Jones, states the O.C. of Beit Naama Officers Hospital invited through Matron in Chief Jones, the O.C. 65 British General Hospital, Matron and thirteen of the female nursing staff of 65 B.G.H. to spend the afternoon of the 5th with him at his hospital. Only twelve members of the female nursing staff (in addition of the Matron Miss A. M. Hall actually went into the launch to Beit Namma.

QUESTION Was the female nursing staff detailed of ordered to proceed in the launch to Beit Naama?

ANSWER. The Matron Miss A. M. Hall of 65 B.G.H. gave twelve names to Matron in Chief Jones of whom six were from No 3 B.G.H. and six from No 40 B.G.H. I ( Matron in Chief Jones) gave these twelve ladies an order through the Matron of the respective hospitals to be at the Launch Convoy pier at 3.30pm. There were also twelve female nursing staff of 65 B.G.H. ordered to proceed in the launches to Beit Naama. They were detailed by name.
Signed Beatrice Jones

2nd WITNESS. Matron, Miss Frances M Hall of 65th BGH.
I was invited together with the O.C. 65th B.G.H. to spend the afternoon of the 15th inst at Beit Naama to bring with me Miss Austin E. and eleven other members of the female nursing staff of 65th B.G.H. Included in these members were the three marginally named ladies.

QUESTION. Were these twelve members of the female nursing staff of 65th B.G.H. ordered to proceed in the launches to Beit Naama?

ANSWER. Yes, they were detailed by name.
Signed Frances M Hall

3rd WITNESS. Lieutenant Colonel E.W. Skinner, R.A.M.C.
States; On Monday 14th inst Miss F.M. Hall told be had been asked to convey to me and invitation from the C.O. Beit Naama to visit his convalescent hospital 15th inst and that I could go with her and some of the female nursing staff under these circumstances. I proceeded to Beit Namma with the party and was present when the when the accident occurred on our return journey.
Signed Ernest W Skinner Lt Col R.A.M.C.

On consideration of the evidence, I am of opinion that the three marginally named members of the Nursing Staff of the 65th B.G.H. were on duty at the time of the accident and were not to blame.
Signed Ernest W Skinner Lt Col R.A.M.C., O.C. No 65 B.G.H.

Click on below for her connection to the wartime nurses memorial.

Updated 23/9/22