VAD Sarah Binns

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Sarah Binns
VAD Nurse

Sarah was born on 25th August 1889 in Keighley. Her parents were William (a blacksmith) and Sarah Ann Binns nee Kidd. She was the middle of three children, her older brother was Joseph and younger brother was John. She had one other sibling who died as an infant.

At the time of the 1891 census the family lived at 5 John Street, and by 1901 they had moved to 14 Third Avenue. William was described as  having his 'own account' - meaning he ran his own business. Although only 12 years old, Joseph was employed as a bobbin setter in a worsted mill.

By 1911 the family had moved again, to 64 Victoria Road. William still had his own blacksmith account, and Joseph was now a printer. Younger brother John was  a student teacher, and Sarah was a tailoress.

Sarah's older brother Joseph served as a Private, first with the Royal Garrison Artillery, then the Labour Corps. He was discharged in 1919 owing to disability, having suffered gun shot wounds to his right leg and arm and was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

During World War One Sarah worked as a VAD, briefly in Keighley from May until June 1915 before going to the Second North General Military Hospital in Leeds.

Sarah must have discovered a vocation for nursing as she underwent formal training and can be found on the Nursing Registers for several years, it appears that she formally trained at Huddersfield Union Crossland Moor Infirmary, qualifying in 1922. It also appears that she returned to the British Red Cross and St. John's Ambulance Service during World War Two, as there is a notation on the 1939 Register to that effect.

The Nursing Register of 1946

Sarah never married. Electoral rolls show her living at the Victoria Road address and then 213 Oakworth Road with her parents until their deaths, and then her own death. Sadly her  date of death was never verified - she was last seen alive on 10th September 1963, and found deceased on 20th September.

Her two brothers remained local - Joseph married and had a family and lived in Oldfield then Sunny Mount. John became a teacher, married and had a family also, and lived at Church Street. John also worked as an Air Raid Warden during World War Two.

Sources:
England and Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
1891 England Census
1901 England Census
1911 England Census
1939 England and Wales Register
West Yorkshire, England, Electoral Registers, 1840-1962
UK, British Army WW1 Medal Roll Index Cards, 1914-1920
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923
UK and Ireland, Nursing Registers, 1898-1968
England and Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
England and Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995

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