Susannah Rawnsley
Nursing Member, St. John's Ambulance Brigade
Susannah Rawnsley was born on 6th May 1885 to Thomas Rawnsley, originally from Ovenden near Halifax, and Ann Elizabeth Rawnsley nee Ambler, from Keighley. Thomas had been married and widowed before, and had a son, Arthur from this marriage who was nine years older than Susannah.
In 1891 the Rawnsley family lived at 46 Market Street in Keighley. Thomas was a greengrocer and Arthur was a worsted mill hand. Susannah was five years old, and had a younger brother Joseph (four years old) and sister Esther (one year old).
The 1891 census showing the Rawnsley family
The family had moved to 46 Britannia Square by 1901, and Thomas was working as a wringing machine fitter. Arthur was not at the family home. Susannah was working as a worsted spinner, Joseph a general assistant at a worsted mill. They had been joined by another two younger sisters - Sarah Jane (nine years old) and Alice (five).
The 1901 census
By 1911 they had moved again, to 58 Parkwood Street. Sadly Thomas had been widowed again when Ann died in 1909. Thomas was working as an iron fitter, Susannah a worsted twister as was Sarah Jane, and Alice was a twister. Joseph was not at the family home, he emigrated to Canada at around this time and he went on to marry and have a family there.
Susannah was a member of St. John's Ambulance Brigade and worked voluntarily as a nurse (including some night duties) from 1916 until 1919 at both Morton Banks and Spencer Street Auxiliary Hospitals.
Susannah never married, and appears to have remained in Keighley, working in the mills. At the time of the 1939 Register she lived at 28 Campbell Street, working as a hosiery yarn twister. Her sister Esther (also unmarried) lived with her, as well as youngest sister Alice who was widowed.
The 1939 Register shows Susannah, Esther and Alice Rawnsley
Susannah died on 15th September 1960 and her remains scattered at the grave of her parents at Utley Cemetery.
Sources:
England and Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
1891 England Census
1901 England Census
1911 England Census
England and Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915
UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960
1921 Census of Canada
England and Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
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