Strong minded woman (women)

 

I have to say feisty, brave and resilient women are a true inspiration - well to me anyway.

The person being honoured today fits that description to a tee! I can't help but like and admire her.

BESSIE SIMPSON nee CHANT

Bessie arrived in Sydney on 5 March 1868 as part of the contingent of five nurses sent to Sydney at the request of the Colonial Secretary, Sir Henry Parkes. They were led by Lucy Osborn, who had trained and studied at the Nightingale Training School attached to St Thomas's Hospital, London and worked in both men's and women's surgical, medical and accident wards. She also studied midwifery skills.

At the time the Sydney Infirmary Hospital (later known as the Sydney Hospital) was a place of disease and Sir Henry had written to Nightingale, at the time the world authority on nursing, imploring her to send out trained nurses to attend to the urgent matter.

Sydney Infirmary Hospital (as it was known) - Wikipedia

Part of the criteria for the women was that they had to be trained in all aspects of both men's and women's surgical and medical treatment and must be single or widowed.

The Infirmary was found to be a major breeding place for all sorts of vermin and much cleaning and clearing of wards was done before they could commence their full duties. The nurses spent their first week scrubbing and throwing out old and unclean equipment, bedding and blankets.

A week after their arrival and just as most of the cleaning had been undertaken, their skills and propriety were put to the test with the arrival of Prince Alfred, second in line to the British Throne, after an attempted assassination attempt on this life whilst at a picnic at Clontarf. (This incident will be given more prominence in a separate blog in 2023.)

By December of that year Osborn could boast a team of sixteen trained nurses and soon their work and dedication was rewarded with a new wing entitled, The Nightingale Wing, built in 1869.

Lucy Osborn Nightingale Wing of Sydney Hospital - Museum of Sydney-with thanks

Soon it was found that the nurses began to show a lack of propriety around the men, both patients and staff. There were many temptations for young nurses in a country where men outnumbered women, three to one.

Lucy Osborn and nurses - The Dictionary of Sydney with thanks

When a handsome railway stoker, William Simpson, was admitted with a dislocated hip rumours abounded that Bessie had been seen kissing him in the ward!

It was thought that the assignation had run its course when Simpson was discharged for treatment in Victoria, but soon a letter arrived at the infirmary addressed to Bessie Chant.

Lucy Osborn was not aware of the rumours but recognized the handwriting to be that of Simpson's and requested another nurse to open it and see if his hip and general health were improving.

The contents of the letter were found to be amorous and contained a proposal of marriage. Bessie had a three-year contract to work with the NSW Government at the Infirmary and it would be scandalous if she were to break her contract after six months to marry.

The reply William received was from Osborn threatening to advise the Colonial Secretary about the affair. Simpson replied that he was willing to wait for Bessie to finish her contract and marry her then.

Osborn gave Bessie a severe dressing down and she agreed to stop contacting Simpson.   

However, in the following months, she was often seen in Simpson's company, as he had relocated to Sydney from Victoria. It became apparent that the relationship between them was serious.

On 2nd December 1869, Bessie snuck out the back door of the Infirmary, breaking her contract and starting a new life. Osborn took no action and was pleased to see Bessie gone.

Bessie and William and gave birth to a girl in 1872 who they christened Lucy Osborn Simpson in honour of Bessie's inspiring nursing sister. Unfortunately, William died young in 1881 and Bessie did not remarry,

Her nursing skills did come in handy later as she became the Matron of the Gladesville Asylum, in a live-in position, retiring at the age of 65. Bessie died at home in Marrickville in April 1920 at the age of 83.

Bessie and William Simpson lie peacefully together in the Old Presbyterian area in Rookwood.

Bessie and William Simpson's headstone - findagrave - with thanks 

Love conquers all!

Further to this Bessie showed her mettle as in years later in 1904, she assisted her daughter, Lucy, during separation and later divorce proceedings against her husband for desertion.

In relation to Lucy Osborn, she resigned from her position at the Sydney Infirmary in 1884 and returned to London working as a district nurse amongst the poor in the area from 1886-1888. Whilst visiting her sister in Harrogate North Yorkshire, she died of complications from diabetes in December 1891.

Information for this blog was gained from the usual sources as well as the book, "Nurses of Australia" by Deborah Burrows, well worth a read.

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