Henrietta Stockdale
Henrietta Stockdale was born on 9th July 1847 in Nottinghamshire, England and died at the age of 64 on 6th October 1911 in Kimberley. She first came to Kimberley in the winter of 1876, working as a district nurse in the mining camps, and then at Kimberley’s new Carnarvon Hospital. Henrietta returned to England to recover from typhoid, taking the opportunity to train further at London's University College Hospital.
On returning to South Africa she established Southern Africa’s first training school for nurses at the Carnarvon Hospital in Kimberley. "Inspired and guided by her", wrote Dr Charlotte Searle, "Kimberley nurses moved out to wherever they were needed, establishing hospitals, starting nurses' training schools, and providing nursing care."
Sister Henrietta spent a year as Matron at the St George's Hospital in Bloemfontein (1877), but then returned to Kimberley. In 1880-1881, during the First South African War, she took charge of the military hospital at Newcastle, Colony of Natal. Sister Henrietta registered with the British Trained Nurses Association in 1890 and maintained contact with its founder, Mrs Bedford Fenwick, who was an early advocate of State registration of nurses. Sister Henrietta persuaded influential figures, notably Dr William Guybon Atherstone of Grahamstown, to back legislation providing for registration of nurses and midwives. This was achieved through the Cape Colony's Medical and Pharmacy Act of 1891.
In 1887 Sister Henrietta had proposed that the Sisterhood’s existing oratory should be converted into four bedrooms, owing to the demand for extra wards as well as extra accommodation for nurses. She then sought public subscription and mining company support for the building of a new Chapel and purchase of an organ, plans being approved by 5 July 1887. By St Michael’s Day, 29 September that same year, the new chapel had been completed and was furnished and ready for its dedication. Furnishings include stained glass windows depicting St Michael the Archangel, and the Angels Gabriel, Uriel and others.
On returning to South Africa she established Southern Africa’s first training school for nurses at the Carnarvon Hospital in Kimberley. "Inspired and guided by her", wrote Dr Charlotte Searle, "Kimberley nurses moved out to wherever they were needed, establishing hospitals, starting nurses' training schools, and providing nursing care."
Sister Henrietta spent a year as Matron at the St George's Hospital in Bloemfontein (1877), but then returned to Kimberley. In 1880-1881, during the First South African War, she took charge of the military hospital at Newcastle, Colony of Natal. Sister Henrietta registered with the British Trained Nurses Association in 1890 and maintained contact with its founder, Mrs Bedford Fenwick, who was an early advocate of State registration of nurses. Sister Henrietta persuaded influential figures, notably Dr William Guybon Atherstone of Grahamstown, to back legislation providing for registration of nurses and midwives. This was achieved through the Cape Colony's Medical and Pharmacy Act of 1891.
In 1887 Sister Henrietta had proposed that the Sisterhood’s existing oratory should be converted into four bedrooms, owing to the demand for extra wards as well as extra accommodation for nurses. She then sought public subscription and mining company support for the building of a new Chapel and purchase of an organ, plans being approved by 5 July 1887. By St Michael’s Day, 29 September that same year, the new chapel had been completed and was furnished and ready for its dedication. Furnishings include stained glass windows depicting St Michael the Archangel, and the Angels Gabriel, Uriel and others.
The Carnarvon Hospital and Diggers Hospital combined to become the Kimberley Hospital in 1892. Subsidised by the Cape Government, it was enlarged and attracted doctors such as Leander Starr Jameson and John Mackenzie, who took part in the training of nurses. The Community of St Michael and All Angels withdrew from Kimberley Hospital in 1895, whereafter Sister Henrietta established a maternity nursing home and nursing co-operative at St Michael's Home.
Sister Henrietta died in Kimberley on 6 October 1911, aged 64, and was buried at the Dutoitspan Cemetery. Her remains were reinterred in the grounds at the front of St Cyprian’s Cathedral in Kimberley in 1984.
The Henrietta Stockdale Training College for Nurses in Kimberley was named in recognition of this pioneer nurse who initiated training courses for nurses at Kimberley Hospital and was instrumental in obtaining state registration for nurses and midwives in the Cape Colony in 1891. It had been through her work that South Africa became the first country in the world to legally recognise nursing education, approve nursing schools and provide statutory curricula and examinations for nurses.
The Henrietta Stockdale Training College for Nurses in Kimberley was named in recognition of this pioneer nurse who initiated training courses for nurses at Kimberley Hospital and was instrumental in obtaining state registration for nurses and midwives in the Cape Colony in 1891. It had been through her work that South Africa became the first country in the world to legally recognise nursing education, approve nursing schools and provide statutory curricula and examinations for nurses.