The allocation to Poplar, situated in London's East End was to be just another of those assignments, Nurse Phyllis Crane had become accustomed to in recent years. Stay for the duration of the short contract, work hard, lend experience and knowledge where appropriate. The Poplar job also had a hidden perk, Phyllis hadn't been looking for.
When she discovered the accommodation provided would be in a convent, it brought a wry smile to the staunch atheist's lips. On further consideration Phyllis decided that a stay in a small community, might make a rather nice change. An agreeable contrast to the large over-populated grey nursing accommodation, she was more familiar with.
Home cooked meals would be a welcome change to the fayre usually provided in the hospital dining rooms. It would be so much easier in a more domestic kitchen to have her vegetarian needs catered for, than in a place where food was mass produced. Throughout her impoverished childhood, followed by years of state imposed rationing, a vegetarian diet just seemed like common sense to Phyllis.
The accomplished nurse had received the call to duty, when the Poplar convent midwifery team, found itself once again in the midst of a staffing crisis. Phyllis had always kept moving during her long career. She firmly believed that every qualified nurse should develop a wide scope of practice; gaining throughout their career as much experience as possible. Phyllis had never stayed too long in one place.
She had completed her nurse training, in her native Yorkshire, at the well respected Leeds General Infirmary. She continued to study and attain her midwifery certificate soon after. Phyllis Crane SRN SCM left Hyde Terrace Maternity Home and the North, for London during the Second World War.
Phyllis wasn't reluctant to leave her home, after hearing so much about the world leading London hospitals. Not one to give credit until credit was due, Phyllis was looking forward to seeing for herself. The teaching, only a time of conflict could offer, would bring her new challenges and increase her skill set. Nurse Crane would always be grateful for the nursing care and midwifery skills she had gained in Yorkshire. But Phyllis wouldn't look back as she bordered the 09:15 to King Cross from the blitz damaged Leeds City Station.
A young Phyllis, was also leaving behind a difficult childhood, a history of being bullied and bullying back. She had buried a mother, who she was convinced had tried all her life, to do the job of both mother and father, but had struggled at times to be either. It had took Phyllis Crane a great deal of strength and ambition, to refuse to be kicked into the gutter, where many thought she belonged. She had learned how to earn respect and trust, she also now knew what it was to be of value.
That wasn't all, for the first time in her life she had glimpsed all too briefly, what it might be like to be loved without condition. Along with what it meant to offer that love in return. Her mother had loved her. That was clear from the challenges she had not shied away from. Deciding to keep her unborn child and doing her best to provide and care for her little stranger. Mingled with that love there had also sadly been hidden shame and blame.
Phyllis didn't receive one of those dreaded cold telegrams. Informing her that her lovely Royal Air Force sergeant, had been shot down presumed dead, on a mission from RAF Church Fenton in 1941. She wasn't his wife, like her mother before her the love went unacknowledged. The relationship was unrecognised by law, God and the RAF. Phyllis found out from a close comrade of his, over half a warm shandy, in the snug of a public house by a roaring open fire. It was much kinder than a military telegram. Phyllis never forgot the heat of the fire on her face or the gentle touch of the airman on her hand, as he told her what she already knew in her heart.
Her mother's illicit liaison had left her with Phyllis. Following one night in a Lancashire seaside town, in her daughter's case, with maybe too much credit being given to the use of a hygienic douche; Phyllis had been left only with a wonderful memory. A recollection of a love, she could never envisage finding again. It also left her with a determination to make the best of what was left; what was left was her, her qualifications and a lot of people in need. So Phyllis threw the remainder of her bottle of Omega Spray in the rubbish bin and packed her case.
Suffice to say when Phyllis was asked by the railway station's booking clerk, if she wanted a return ticket? Phyllis answered without hesitation with a very firm, No.
The Blitz had increased the need for highly skilled and committed nursing staff in the nation's capital. Phyllis had witnessed the work of the Luftwaffe from attacks on Leeds and other Northern industrial powerhouses. Nurse Crane's experience and dual training meant, she had made herself a very valuable asset and was in great demand. The bombing may have led to a dreadful loss of life, but it hadn't stopped the creation of life, far from it.
The returning injured servicemen and women needed expert care and so did the surviving bomb victims. But people still caught infectious diseases, developed critical illnesses, had accidents, got older and required more care. Just as they did when the whole world was not at war.
The years between 1939 and 1945 produced a heavy workload for a medic. A nurse like Phyllis thrived on these conditions. It was not that she wasn't horrified by some of the needless tragedy she witnessed. There were times she cried herself to sleep, because of some of the pointless loss of life and suffering she was helpless to prevent.
There was a job to be done and Phyllis firmly believed if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing damn well! By the end of the war, Phyllis had found her collateral had risen rapidly. The creation of the NHS meant she was offered a very senior position in a busy London hospital.
Matron Crane would wear a very smart uniform and have an office with her name engraved on a brass plate on the door. Behind that door would be a large oak desk and a comfortable leather chair. She would never have to worry about money again. The senior nurse would earn a generous salary for a woman, plus a good pension set by, for when she was finally ready to retire.
Phyllis declined the post and chose a life away from paperwork and management. She bought a new car and signed on to a nurse bank, making herself available to be sent where required. To the hospitals and parishes that didn't attract a large number of eager applicants. She accepted shifts, where she knew she would be extremely busy and may not always finish on time. She went where she was needed.
Yes, Phyllis thought to herself at the turn of a new decade, a short spell at Nonnatus House would suit her just fine, that was as long as no one tried to convert her.
