Recently, the QNI received an email about a historic connection between one London family and the QNI.
We are very glad to be able to share the story provided by Jane Cope, below. Along with her original email was a photograph of a silver trowel, and the significance of this is revealed in the story.
”My grandmother Gladys Menon played a big part in raising funds for the Queen’s Nursing Institute in Edmonton, North London and the silver trowel was given to her to commemorate her laying the foundation stone of the building in 1934. It was then passed to me as I started my 45-year career in nursing.
Jane CopeRSCN, RGN
A little bit of history about my family
My grandmother’s maiden name was Harrison. She was originally from Yorkshire and trained as a physiotherapist. My grandfather was born Madurakkot Puthenveetil Kesava Menon in 1888 in Calicut, India, and came over to England to train as a doctor. I do not know how they met or the year of their marriage.
In those times marrying a non-English man was quite frowned upon. At some stage, they moved to Edmonton and lived in Church Street on the corner of Latymer Road. My grandfather set up a GP practice which he then shared with my aunt, who also trained as a doctor.
As you can see from the photo, Gladys embraced her husband’s culture by wearing a sari on special occasions. My aunt also wore one at her wedding. My father followed my grandfather’s footsteps – he became a doctor and met and married my mother in London. My mother, a foundling who didn’t know her own family, became a children’s nurse.
After being turned down in the 1950s by Australia because he was half-Indian, my father accepted a job in North Borneo where the family lived for 15 years; my sisters and I were born there. We returned to the UK in the 60s when my grandfather was retiring, and my father took over the practice with his sister.
We lived nearby in Enfield, and I went on to train as a children’s nurse at Westminster Children’s Hospital, retiring four years ago after 45 years’ service.
The Queen’s Nursing Home was built in Latymer Road, and I believe my grandmother played a big part in the fundraising for it, hence she was asked to lay the foundation stone with the silver trowel.”
Jane Cope, RSCN, RGN
Gladys and Madurakkot Menon
Jane has very kindly donated the silver trowel to be kept in the QNI’s archive.
Historical note:
Looking at the engraving on the trowel, it is unusual to see the name ‘Queen’s Nursing Institute’ used in 1934, as this did not become the official name of the charity until 1973. Keen eyes will note the missing apostrophe, though it looks as if a space had been left to add it.
From the Queen’s Nurses Magazine, 1935.
THE EDMONTON QUEEN’S NURSES’ NEW HOME.
A DELIGHTFUL home for the Edmonton Nursing Association, was opened by Lady Lucas Tooth, and dedicated by Bishop Paget (late Bishop of Stepney), on Thursday, March 22nd, 1935. The building is of Georgian style, which gives it a pleasant and dignified appearance. A low brick wall borders the grounds in front, and a path of crazy paving leads to the wrought iron gates making the entrance very imposing. The bedrooms are comfortable and up to date and the house is fitted with all the amenities of a modern district nurses’ home. On the ground floor the corridors and principal rooms are laid with compressed cork tiles, which look attractive, and are easy to clean. The kitchen is a bright and sunny room, splendidly equipped, and has a coke cooker which gives excellent results as well as being economical. The general scheme of decoration is attractive, yet restful, and the architect, Mr. G. W. Newman, has achieved a home of comfort and convenience. The cost of the home is about £6,000, half of which has been raised as a result of appeals. The building fund has been kept entirely separate from other funds used for the ordinary work of the Association. Lady Lucas Tooth, when opening the home, wished the nurses happiness and good luck, saying that she knew of no other body of people who possessed so much tact and sympathy, and devotion to duty. Miss Seabrook and her staff are indeed fortunate in having such a well-planned and comfortable Home.
Thank you to Jane Cope for allowing the Queen’s Nursing Institute to share her family’s story and for kindly donating the silver trowel.
Matthew Bradby
