My grandaunt Mary Murphy was a professional nurse from a Roman Catholic family in Dublin, Ireland. She served at the West Bridgford Military Hospital in Nottingham, England during the First World War where she nursed wounded soldiers. Mary was also involved with the St John Ambulance Association during the war in Dublin and was very friendly with Naoimi and Letitia Overend, who both held senior positions in that organization. She served with the West Bridgford Hospital from December 1916 to 1919. During her time in the hospital Mary kept an autograph book where she collected messages from the soldiers she nursed, thanking her for the care she showed them. The warmth of the notes indicates that my grandaunt Mary was a very popular nurse. The fact that she kept this for years after showed the importance of her war service to her. I found the album in the attic about twenty years ago and was intrigued by it. Unfortunately I do not know much more about her war experience and those who knew it have since passed away. || 1 autograph book belonging to Mary Murphy

1. Large framed photograph of James Rose, captioned Sergeant Lieutenant James Rose, 1st battalion Irish Guards, killed in action July 27 1916. 2. Brass button polisher. The buttons on tunic slid into the slot in the centre and could be polished without staining the fabric of the uniform. || Sergeant Lieutenant James Rose, 1st battalion Irish Guards, killed in action July 27 1916, at the age of 31. maternal great uncle of contributor. || || James Rose || Photograph of James Rose || Photograph || || James Rose || Memorabilia || Brass button polisher belonging to James Rose || The buttons on tunic slid into the slot in the centre and could be polished without staining the fabric of the uniform.

Medals and kitbag, plus personal Kit of E. Rankin and O'Donnell of the Irish Guards || Medals Personal Kit of irish Guards