Miss Eva Isobel Lucas
Nurse, Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD), British Red Cross
Date of Birth: 1873
Place of Birth: Poonah, India
Date of Death: 1962
VAD hat badge
Miss Eva Isobel Lucas of Cliff Park, Teignmouth, Devon.
Thee of Eva's Lucas cousins from Shaldon were killed in WW1, Captain Gerald Blunt Lucas (died in 1916 aged 25), Lieutenant Clifton Mallet Lucas (died in 1916 aged 30) and Captain Malcolm Hugh Lucas DSO (died in 1920 aged 38).
In 1901, Eva is living at Dunmore, Ringmore, St Nicholas, Newton Abbot, Devon with mother Florence Emma, a widow, born in N S Wales, Australia, and 'Living on Own Means'. Eva has one brother, Ronald Walter Lucas, and four sisters, Bessie Florence, Alice Nora, Emily Muriel, and Olga May. Also, Maud Fanny Lucas, Daughter in Law, who is also a widow and 'Living on Own Means', with two Grand Daughters, Eveline Ross and Beatrice Mary. They have three servants and a cook.
1911, Eva's mother, Florence Emma, is shown as a 'Baronets Widow'.
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.
Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Records
Date of engagement with VAD: June1915 to July 1916.
Rank: Nurse.
Service rendered at:
Voluntary Aid Hospital Newton Abbot, Devon.
Number of hours served: 2112 (worked part-time).
Paid: £0.
Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Cards
Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Card. ©2018 British Red Cross (CC BY-NC 2.0 UK)
Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Card. ©2018 British Red Cross (CC BY-NC 2.0 UK)
