“SISTER KAY.”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 38, 25 November 1940, Page 8

“SISTER KAY.”

DUCHESS OF KENT AS NURSE. TRAINING IN HOSPITAL, LONDON, October 22. When the Duke of Kent-visited University College 'Hospital, London, recently, among the nurses presented to him was “Sister Kay,” who was in the final stages of her training as a V.A.D. The Duke smiled as “Sister Kay” shook hands with him and curtsied, for it was his wife, the Duchess. For three months, it was disclosed, the Duchess has worked hard as an ordinary V.A.D. trainee at the hospital. Only now that she has passed as a fully-qualified nursing auxiliary has she allowed the secret to become known. ‘ ‘At first no one was allowed to know the identity of 'Sister Kay’,” the matron 1 said. “Then one afternoon, •when the Duchess was on duty in one of the wards, she tended a. woman patient with another nurse. “Afterward the patient remarked: ‘lsn’t the V.A.D. like the Duchess of Kent? I believe it is the Duchess.’ The news spread, but even now many patients who have been nurted by the Duchess are still unaware, of her Royal rank.”

The Duchess, who- has done, two days’ duty a week at the hospital, has told the matron that she intends to continue work as a nurse. IDujring her training she made beds, washed! dishes and helped with surgical cases, as well as taking duty in the casualty clearing station;. Slip carried on during air raid alarms, and among those she tended have been many raid victims.