Kate Bostock

Miss Kate Bostock

Nurse, Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD), British Red Cross

Date of Birth: 24 April 1893
Place of Birth: Colchester, Essex
Date of Death: October 1965
Buried: Teignmouth Old Cemetery - HH165

VAD hat badge

Kate Bostock was born in 24 April 1893 in Colchester, Essex.

She was the daughter of William Bostock who was born in Birmingham (1852-1928) and Alice Mary Bostock née Jones who was born in Wolverhampton (1861-1945).

In 1901, Kate's family had moved to 48 Holyhead Road, Coventry and Kate's father was 'Postmaster' of Coventry Post Office. Kate had two older sisters, Florence and Alice, and a younger brother, William.

By 1911, the family have moved to 6 Marlborough Grove, York, where Kate's father had become 'Postmaster' of York, they had general servant living with them.

Kate was engaged with the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) from June 1915 to April 1919. During that time she served at the Newton Abbot V.A. Hospital as a nurse.

When she engaged with VAD, Kate gave 7 Ferndale, Teignmouth, Devon as her permanent address.

Kate's sister, Florence Bostock was also engaged with VAD as a nurse, Florence served at the Teignmouth VA Hospital.

In 1939 the register shows Kate living with her sister Alice at 9 Ferndale Road, Teignmouth. Their brother William survived the war and later became a bank manager.

Kate died in the third quarter of 1965. She is buried in Teignmouth cemetery with her family.

Newton Hall VAD Hospital, Newton Abbot

Newton Hall VA Hospital was opened in 1914 and run by the St John's Ambulance Brigade. It began as a 40 bed hospital but was subsequently enlarged to about 100 beds.

Two Hours' Notice

"The St John Hospital at Newton Abbot received a sudden message that forty cases were coming direct from overseas and would be with them in two hours time. The hospital was not open to patients but the staff turned to, and within two hours forty beds were ready for the men."

The Story of British V.A.D. work in the Great War by Thekla Bowser

Photo taken at the Newton Abbot VA hospital (TBC) From the Teign Heritage Collection

The rail connection between Teignmouth and Newton Abbot in Devon existed during WW1.

As it is only a 10 minute between the two towns so several of the Teignmouth and Shaldon VAD nurses and support workers worked at the Newton Abbot VAD hospital.

“2,560 patients have passed through the hospital, (1914-1919) but although many were very critical cases, only six deaths have occurred during the whole time, which is a remarkable tribute to the zealous care shown by the doctors and trained staff.

It was a first line hospital and received patients direct from overseas.”

Mid Devon Advertiser

The Newton Hall VAD Hospital was located on College Road, Newton Abbot, it closed in 1919 and was later demolished.