Minnie Proctor
Nursing Member, Surgical Nursing Duties
Minnie was born in Barnoldswick on 9th February 1893 to George William Proctor, a chartered accountant from Burnley and Selina Louisa Proctor nee Walmsley, also from Burnley. She had two older sisters, Hilda and Edith. She had another sibling whose name I have not been able to establish, who died in infancy.
In 1901 George and Selina lived at Throstle Nest, Thornton-in-Craven and Selina's father, John Walmsley, lived with them. Minnie and her sisters were at a boarding school in Birkdale near Southport called Westcliffe.
The 1901 census showing Minnie and her sisters at boarding school
In 1911 the family were together at the Bourne Hall Hotel in Bournemouth, described as visitors so presumably on holiday.
Minnie worked as a nursing member, undertaking surgical nursing duties at Spencer Street Auxiliary Hospital from 12th July 1916 until 18th August 1917. She worked full time hours, earning £20 in her first year, and £22 10 shillings and 10 pence in her second year, which was the standard payment for the paid VADs.
On 5th December 1922 Minnie married George Hardwick Matterson, a cotton manufacturer who was born in Natal, South Africa to British parents, at the Parish Church in Thornton-in-Craven. He had served in the King Edward's Horse (King's Overseas Dominions) Regiment achieving the rank of Second Lieutenant.
The marriage of George Hardwick Matterson and Minnie Proctor
Minnie and George lived initially in Thornton but in later life moved to Lytham St. Anne's. They lived there at a house called Erlesmore on Clifton Drive at the time of the 1939 Register.
They had three children - Catherine Hardwick (1923-2005), Anne Hardwick (1926-2014) and Noel Hardwick (1929-1982) Matterson (dates from family trees on Ancestry).
Minnie and George then moved to Stable Hills, Keswick where she died on 22nd February 1966. George died in August 1978. They are buried together at St. John's in the Vale Churchyard in Allerdale, Cumbria.
Sources:
England and Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
1901 England Census
1911 England Census
North Yorkshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1937
UK, British Army WW1 Medal Roll Index Cards, 1914-1920
1939 Register of England and Wales
England and Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
www.findagrave.com
