Katharine Jones
Encyclopedia
Dame Katharine Henrietta Jones, DBE, RRC and Bar was Matron in Chief of the QAIMNS for most of the Second World War, serving from 23 July 1940-44.
During the First World War, she trained as a nurse at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, later joining Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) in 1917, which she rejoined in 1937. Jones was mentioned in despatches, while serving in Palestine. In 1938, she returned to Britain where she was appointed the Principal Matron at the War Office.
In 1939 World War II
was declared and Jones mobilized more than 1000 QAs to France to serve with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). Along with the British Army the QAs retreated to Dunkirk on 26 May 1940; all were safely returned to England. In July 1940, aged 44, Jones was promoted to Matron in Chief of the QAIMNS.
As Matron in Chief of the QAIMNS, Jones wrote the introduction to Grey and scarlet : letters from the war areas by army sisters on active service. This collects letters sent to the Matron in Chief by Nursing Sisters of the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service and Territorial Army Nursing Service from France, Iceland, Tobruk, Sudan, Eritrea, Gibraltar, Greece, Middle East, North Africa, Malta, Malaya and Singapore.
, London
, on 29 December 1967.
During the First World War, she trained as a nurse at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, later joining Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) in 1917, which she rejoined in 1937. Jones was mentioned in despatches, while serving in Palestine. In 1938, she returned to Britain where she was appointed the Principal Matron at the War Office.
In 1939 World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
was declared and Jones mobilized more than 1000 QAs to France to serve with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). Along with the British Army the QAs retreated to Dunkirk on 26 May 1940; all were safely returned to England. In July 1940, aged 44, Jones was promoted to Matron in Chief of the QAIMNS.
As Matron in Chief of the QAIMNS, Jones wrote the introduction to Grey and scarlet : letters from the war areas by army sisters on active service. This collects letters sent to the Matron in Chief by Nursing Sisters of the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service and Territorial Army Nursing Service from France, Iceland, Tobruk, Sudan, Eritrea, Gibraltar, Greece, Middle East, North Africa, Malta, Malaya and Singapore.
Death
She died, unmarried, at St. Mary's Guest House, Burlington Lane, ChiswickChiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, on 29 December 1967.
Links
- Notice of Jones' appointment to the RRC, Supplement to the London Gazette, 8 June 1944