Matron at War: The Story of Katy Beaufoy (1869-1918)

2014 | Biography

This is the inspiring story of Sister Katy Beaufoy who was born in Aston, Birmingham in 1868 and who served in both the Boer War and World War I. With excerpts from the diary she kept of her service and letters she sent to her family, Katy records in her matter of fact way her daily life. What emerges are both the horrors experienced by the casualties of war and the remarkable places in which she found herself whilst serving her country - from visiting the pyramids of Giza to sailing around the Greek islands. Katy was reported missing believed drowned after the loss of the Glenart Castle after it left Cardiff on 25th February 1918 bound for Brest to take on board the wounded, a torpedo struck the ship with only 38 surviving from the 206 on board. Her medals include the Dead Woman's Penny and the medal for reorganising the Queen of Italy's nursing service. The book concludes with stories of other members of the Beaufoy family both ancestors and descendants.

Erica Nadin-Snelling (Author)