A FAMOUS NURSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22724, 10 May 1937, Page 3

A FAMOUS NURSE

VISIT TO AUSTRALIA

THE LATE KING'S FRIEND SISTER CATHERINE BLACK Leaving England to-day by the Ormonde for Australia, wrote a London correspondent on March 27, is Sister Catherine Black, who nursed the late King George V. during his critical illness in 1928 and was again with him during his last illness. She will be accompanied by an old friend, Mrs. E. M. Wilson, whoso son, Mr. Graham Wilson, went out to Sydney over a year ago and is now an announcer on a Sydney radio station. Mr. Wilson recently married in Australia and his mother and Sister Black are paying the young couple a visit.

Sister Black was formerly on the staff of the London Hospital but when King George became ill, she was sent to nurse him. She was the only one of four nurses who remained with him from the beginning of his illness to convalescence. In 1929 she was awarded the Royal Red Cross and was made an M.B.E. in recognition of her services to the King. In 1930 Sister Black was appointed permanently to be the King's nurse and was allotted special apartments at Buckingham Palace. A strong bond of friendship was forged between the King and Queen and Sister Black, and she was known to them as "Blackie'." When in 1932 Miss Black had to go into the new London Clinic for ten days with a foot ailment, King George and Queen Mary paid her a surprise visit and remained with her for over a quarter of an hour. When Their Majesties were leaving King George said, "I hope to see you back at the Palace soon, Blackie." They left a bouquet of flowers as a reminder of their visit.

King George's friendship for Sister Black is shown by this little story. Learning through a friend that Miss Black, who -was on a visit to Ireland, wanted to start a nursing home of her own, the King summoned her friend to the Palace and told her that on no account must Miss Black leave the Royal Household. The friend immediately communicated with Miss Black and "she returned at once. The King was greatly relieved and made her g-omise never again to leave the Royal ousehold during his lifetime. This promise she faithfully kept. During King George's last illness, Sister Black was in constant attendance on him and one of the most moving tributes at the King's funeral was a bunch of mixed garden flowers to which was attached a card on which was written: "In respectful and devoted memory, with tears in my heart. Yours, Blackie." Sister Black was chosen by the King's medical advisers and it was not only her skill which decided the physicians, it was her personality. She was quiet, extremely charming and tranquilising. In a very short time the King came to look upon her as a friend, and a friend she remained until the day of his death.