Rushden Research Group: First Aid Post 1940

Rushden Echo & Argus, 15th March, 1940, transcribed by Gill Hollis

New First Aid Post

Scholars Occupy Alfred-street Schools after Long Absence

Once more the Rushden Alfred-street Schools are being used as a seat of learning, these buildings, used since the outbreak of the war as Rushden’s First Aid Post, having been occupied on Monday by scholars who were evacuated to the Windmill Hall last September.

During the last month structural alterations have been carried out at the Moor-road Schools and a certain amount of first aid equipment was conveyed there, the scholars taking possession of the small portion of the larger Alfred-street Schools thus left vacant. On Monday the transference of equipment to Moor-road was completed and the ex-Alfred-street scholars moved from their temporary Windmill Hall classrooms back to their old school.

The Moor-road Schools are stated to make a satisfactory first aid post, but should they not prove to be sufficiently large, then the Alfred-street Schools can be turned into a first aid post again at a moment’s notice.

This change in the position of the post has been necessitated by the Ministry of health’s instructions that schools in Reception Areas should no longer be used as first aid posts, and that they should revert to their original purpose.

Over a year ago it was decided to make extensive structural alterations at Moor-road and to turn the school into a clinic. The alterations were to be made in such a manner that the clinic could soon be made into a first aid post. The war interfered with these plans so that it was Alfred-street Schools that were altered. Those alterations which have been carried out at Moor-road are not so extensive as were those originally planned.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 21st August, 1942, transcribed by Gill Hollis

First Aid Work in Rushden — Busy Training Period for Women and Men
Rushden’s central first-aid organisation, comprising the St. John Ambulance Brigade and Nursing Division, with the staff of the A.R.P. First Aid Post, has made the last half-year a very intensive period of training and service.

The women’s personnel heard lectures on “Moral Friendships” by Miss Owen, of Wellingborough, “Vitamins” by Dr. O. B. Lean, “Anaemia” by Dr. D. G. Greenfield, “Tuberculosis” by Dr. G. B. Lord and “Fever” by Dr. D. A. McCracken.

After an anti-gas course conducted by Mrs. M. Sumpter men and women were examined by Mr. Pope, of Finedon, and all passed the test. Then a mixed class studied “Home Nursing” under Dr. B. W. Paine, and 24 candidates who were examined in this subject by Nurse M. Cousner, of Wellingborough, were all successful.

Their Gift
One Sunday morning the women visited Rushden House Sanatorium, where Dr. Lord demonstrated X-ray work. Desiring to send a gift for the patients, they hit upon the idea of pooling their egg rations for that week, and a few days later 80 eggs were delivered to the “San.”

On other dates three mixed parties inspected Northampton General Hospital, Miss Nelson (the matron) and Coun. T. W. Cox arranging the tours.

Rushden’s Holiday Fete in August Week gave both divisions extra work, and nearly 20 minor casualties were treated at the ambulance tent, which was staffed throughout the week.

The staff raised £6 14s. for the Aid to Russia Fund, and the ladies helped the Red Cross Prisoners of War Fund to the extent of £11 13s. by making a Red Cross quilt out of squares of wool. The quilt itself was sent as a gift to the Red Cross and has been acknowledged by Lord Iliffe.

Girl Cadets
There has been an interesting development of the work in the formation of a Cadet Nursing Division in connection with the Rushden Youth Movement. Thirty girls between the ages of 14 and 17 have taken this up with great enthusiasm under the leadership of Ambulance sister Miss Theodora Dawes, an evacuee from London. Every success has attended the early training, and at the present rate of progress the girls will soon have qualified to wear nursing uniform.

Although hundreds of Rushden women and girls have taken first aid training during the war, there is always room for more, and new courses for beginners are being planned. Quite a number of the nurses and first-aid students have taken up full-time war work.

Lady Superintendent Miss W. M. Clipson, S.S. St J., leads the Nursing Division and is also Commandant of the First Aid Post. Her supporting officers are Ambulance Officer Mrs. Sumpter (secretary) and Ambulance Officer Mrs. G. H. Parkin. Sergt. W. M. Burgess, S.B. St. J., is in charge of the men, with Mr. R. W. P. Knight as secretary.