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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2015-08-05, Page 88 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, August 5, 2015 Part two of the mysterious nurses A few weeks ago the Expositor came across a photograph of four mysterious nurses, and a Seaforth woman believes she can place a name under two of the four nurses. This 90 -year-old piece of Sea - forth history generated interest all around Huron County. People from Zurich, Bayfield and other locations have emailed and called numerous times with bits of infor- mation. All with the hope of possi- bly leading to the identities of the graduating class of 1925. Esther Smale, from Seaforth, said she can solve half of the mystery that's been looming in the area. She said the first nurse on the left is allegedly Margariet Dunn. Smale remembered when Dunn would tend to her several years back at the hospital and said she was quite fond of her. "When she worked in the hospi- tal she was a great nurse, she had her own ways," said Smale. She described her in the late 1950s as being at least 60 to 70 years of age, "she had snow white hair and I know some people can get that in their 20s, but she had to be a lot older than that." Smale stated that Dunn was well respected around the hospital and many would call her "Auntie Dunn" She said she believes that Dunn to this day does not have any sib- lings alive. Being this is dating more than 50 years ago that is all the information Smale could recall pertaining to Dunn. Though she can recollect far more about the third nurse to the right, who she believes is Olive L. Hackney. In cursive writing, Smale docu- mented a page and a half of details about Hackney. On the first page she specified that Hackney is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Hackney She went on to write that they lived on North Thames Road, lot 24 in Hibbert Township, which is now amalgamated into Perth County. After graduating in 1925 from the Seaforth Memorial Hospital, Hack- ney devoted her life to being a reg- istered nurse. Smale noted in 1941, Hackney joined the nursing divi- sion for the Canadian Army and soon after posted in England. She also served in Africa then returned back to England where she would travel back and forth on the RMS Lady Nelson. The Lady Nelson was a warship that con- verted into Canada's first hospital ship. Hackney spent years ferrying wounded soldiers on the Nelson and would eventually return home in 1946. Peter Steckle, 82, from south of Bayfield, thought that maybe one of the women in the black and white nurses image might be his aunt. After reviewing the picture with his wife, they both came to the conclusion that it was not. "It would be terrible if that his- tory went lost, it would be nice if it could be brought back fresh if pos- sible," said Steckle. Both he and Smale mentioned a lady by the name of Miss "Maggie" Wilson as being the head nurse running Scott Memorial Hospital at that time, which would have been about the same period as Steckle's aunt and Hackney were employed at the hospital. Debbie Haney, registered practi- cal nurse at Seaforth Community Hospital, said organizations in those days did not keep records similar to how they do now. She said with remorse, "that generation is gone, in a 100 years from now my name will not be known." Not only is this difficult to solve because the picture spans from nearly a century ago, but it also viAca (01 tir cw 1 For more lafonT Ittorr or to donate food and prizes please contact Kathy Rivett 519.441.8095 or katfitivearc.aordsb.ca This photo is the graduating class of 1925 at the Seaforth Memorial Hospital. After a month of investigating and the help of the community some of the names have been allegedly established. does not have the specific month of when it was taken. If so, this would make it easier to scan through the old Expositor newspapers. The Sea - forth Library whom know a large amount of Seaforth's history also investigated for details, but the hunt was inconclusive. If anyone can assist in the quest to find the names of the mysterious nurses contact the Seaforth Huron Expositor at 519-527-0240. 61.1iNI r ON lit Cir r �. PHOI Pony c P:M3 WWI ra.an• 111010.111. Seaforth Huron Expositor 8574 MA9IN ST., SEAFOR 4T611 OR-527-0 OR FAX US AT 519-527-2858 It's time again for the ever popular SEAFORTH & AREA PHONE BOOK IF YOU... • Moved • Changed Your Number • Have Your Number or Address Incorrectly Listed • Are New to Seaforth • Add Your Cell Phone ...PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE to arrange any changes necessary to ensure your Phone Book is up to date and correct! .nformation on Advertising e PHONE BOOK CALL TODAY!