Miss Edith Caroline Izod
Massage Sister, Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD), British Red Cross
Date of Birth: 1874
Place of Birth: Peckham, London
VAD hat badge
Miss Edith Caroline Izod of 22, Langham Street, Portland Place, W1.
In 1881, Edith is living at 64, Langdale Road, Camberwell, London with her mother, Elizabeth M, who is shown as a widow, and three sisters, Elizabeth A, Amy L, and Catherine B.
1911, Edith is living and working at 'The Cottage', Nupend, Near Nailsworth, Gloshire, Horsley, Gloucestershire. Edith is a 'sick nurse'.
The Everest Officer's Hospital
Lord and Lady Cable purchased the Treverven Estate (on Exeter Road, Teignmouth, now part of Teignmouth Community School) and opened it as the Everest Hospital. (whilst the Everest Hospital was being built a hut for wounded soldiers was erected in the grounds of the original Teignmouth Hospital). Lady Cable contributed most liberally to its upkeep.
Their daughter, Lady Weston Alexander (née Cable), became Matron / Commandant of the instutuition. It was used by convalescing officers.
Everest Officer's Hospital, part of the Treverven Estate (now part of Teignmouth Community School). From the Teign Heritage Collection
Lieutenant Bertram William Brown Blight (a bank clerk in Ashburton before the war) was one of the officers who stayed at Everest. He was also one of the first men to receive extensive and plastic surgery at the end of the First World War.
A German machine gun crew, probably of the 18th Infantry Regiment, manning their Maxim machine gun. © IWM (Q 87923)
Bertram was serving with the 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment near Ypres, when he was hit by machine gun bullets. His nose, teeth and part of his face were shot away. He was thought to be dead and left on a pile of bodies.
A German soldier noticed he was wearing a gold masonic ring and looked closer and realised that Bertram was alive.
Bertram was taken prisoner and was later returned to England where his injuries were then treated.
His face was rebuilt with 12 surgeries using techniques pioneered by Dr Harold Gillies.
Bertram attended several hospitals then was sent to the Everest Officer's hospital where he was nearer to family, he was deemed unfit for active service abroad but could serve at home.
Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) Records
Date of engagement with VAD: 5th May, 1918 to 30th November, 1918.
Rank: Massage Sister.
Service rendered at:
Everest Officer's Hospital, Teignmouth, Devon. May 1918 - November 1918.
Paid: £3 and 3 shillings per week (worked full-time).
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)
