Emma Rogerson
Surgical Nursing Duties, Voluntary Aid Detachment
Emma Rogerson, wearing Salvation Army uniform.
Early life:
Emma was born on 21st September 1889 in Oxenhope, Keighley. Her parents were Calvert Smith Rogerson and Charlotte Rogerson, nee Eland, they had married earlier that year in Keighley. Calvert worked in the blacksmith industry.
Emma had seven siblings, she was the oldest. Her sisters were Ethel (1891-1981), Eva (1895-1896), Doris Maria (1898-1963) and Clarice Miriam (1903-1950). Her brothers were Thomas William (1893-1968), Arthur Calvert (1899-1963) and Benjamin Eland (1906-1985).
In 1891, one year old Emma lived with her parents at Uppertown, Oxenhope.
In 1901 the family lived at 8 Wood Street, Haworth.
In 1911 the family are now living at 11 Earl Street in Haworth – Emma would remain there for the rest of her life. Emma was working as a burler and mender, with Ethel and Doris working as spinners, Thomas a miller.
War service:
Emma worked full time at Spencer Street Hospital undertaking surgical nursing duties, serving from 22nd July 1916 until 3rd June 1919.
She is recorded as a probationer nurse, in the staff list of the December 1917 issue of 'War Hospital Echoes':
The above items are part of the Herbert A. France archive BK 424, held at Keighley Library in West Yorkshire.
Later life:
The 1939 Register has Emma living with her father – he is described as a widower. Charlotte’s death was registered in Keighley in the third quarter of 1939, the register taken on 29th September. Emma is a cloth burler and mender. Calvert Smith Rogerson died in the latter part of 1945.
Emma herself never married or had children. She is described by a family member on Ancestry as being devoted to the Salvation Army all her life. She died in the first quarter of 1989 in Keighley, at the age of 99, having outlived all of her siblings.
NB Emma’s brother Arthur Calvert Rogerson served in the navy in World War One, at HMS Vivid (barracks at Davenport) and on the ship Aquitania.
Source information:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
1891 England Census
1901 England Census
1911 England Census
1939 England & Wales Register
West Yorkshire, England, Electoral Registers, 1840-1962
West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Births & Baptisms, 1813-1910 (sister Clarissa)
UK, Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 (brother Arthur)
UK, Royal Navy Registers of Seamen’s Services, 1848-1939 (brother Arthur)
Red Cross VAD card
War Hospital Echoes - BK424, Keighley Library archives.
Photo of Emma kindly supplied by Barbara Wood.
This research has been carried out by volunteer Carole Hodge.
