EC nurse in WWI hospital in France

Florence Adele Hunt (1873-1954) was head nurse at Hospital 101 at St. Nazarain during a fierce battle and the influenza epidemic when they had 850 patients one day.  She lived with her parents Mary Ellen and Joseph Hunt at 'Bridgewater Farm' and graduated from Johns Hopkins Training School for Nurses.
 
While doing a search for Bridgewater farm, I came across the Howard County Historical Society blog bio HERE on her... and stopped searching.  Since the stay-at-home orders started, I've been compiling a monthly list of virtual talks on food and drink history.  HERE


The Sun July 19, 1919 article -- 

OVERSEAS NURSES BACK

Baltimoreans Were At St. Nazaire Throughout War

COUNTY GIRL HEADED STAFF

Miss Florence D. Hunt, Of Ellicott City, Had Entire Charge of Hospital Force

"A group of nurses, headed by Miss Florence D. Hunt of Ellicott City, who arrived in Boston recently on the transport Mongolia, have arrived home with a war record that is enviable.  Miss Hunt is a graduate of Johns Hopkins Training School for Nurses, and with other graduates of Maryland hospitals, went to France in June of 1917 and helped to open Base Hospital No. 101 at St. Nazaire.  They were there when 36 hours after the Chateau-Thierry fight began, the American wounded poured in.  They worked at No. 101 through the influenza epidemic when as many as 850 patients were brought into the hospital in one day.  Just before starting for home in the latter part of June, they closed the hospital with which they had served through out the war.

Returning with Miss Hunt, who was chief nurse of Base Hospital No. 101… The heaviest strain, Miss Hunt says, was during the influenza epidemic.  During one week her nurses had practically no rest.  Whenever it was possible they snatched a few minutes, but were unable to take regular hours for sleep.  With this record of service, covering two years overseas, the chief nurse says that her staff had a good time."

The Sun. Jul 19, 1919

Maryland in the World War 1917-1919; Military and Naval Service Records, Volumes I & II

©2020 Patricia Bixler Reber
Forgotten history of Ellicott City & Howard County MD