East Ham Memorial Hospital nurses still remain friends 51 years later

Tina Etienne, Beulah Stewart and Elizabeth Hamilton first met in 1970 when they trained as nurses at East Ham Memorial Hospital. Just like in the BBC drama Call The Midwife, Tina, Beulah and Elizabeth lived in a nursing residence. They share their memories and photos in celebration of the International Year of the Nurse.

Tina Etienne

I first heard about the hospital vacancies when my friend Maneulla sent me a magazine featuring the job advert. Even though I didn’t have any previous nursing experience, I decided to apply because I already helped to look after the elderly and anyone who was sick.

On the application form you were given a choice of where you would like to work, I picked East Ham Memorial Hospital (now Shrewsbury Road Health Centre). I sent off my two references and my application was successful.

I travelled from Dominica and arrived to London in December 1969. I started my training as a People’s Nurse at East Ham Memorial Hospital in 1970. After two years, I passed my training exam and I became a State Enrolled Nurse. I worked in all the departments but my favourite was working with the elderly. They were lovely and kind to me. I can remember standing at a bus stop when I was approached by one of my previous patients. He bought me a box of tea as a thank you for looking after him.

The hospital provided me with accommodation and a housekeeper. My living expenses were automatically deducted from my wages. I shared a room with Cecilia Fontaine. We had a double room with two single beds and a sink area. There was a shared bathroom, communal TV/dining area and canteen.

During my days off, I’d visit my family in Paddington, go shopping in East Ham High Street or Queens Market in Green Street. In the evenings, while the other nurses went out to parties, I mainly stayed in my room. When they got back they’d knock on my door and I would let them sleep on my floor.

After I left East Ham Memorial Hospital in 1976 I still remained good friends with my roommate Cecilia Fontaine, Elizabeth Hamilton, Beulah Stewart and Grace Alexander, we worked nights together.

I actually first met Grace while I was travelling to the UK. I can remember sitting next to her on the bench at Antigua airport. We didn’t speak to each other then. But on my first day at training she was there. I am now the Godmother to her son Brian and Elizabeth is Godmother to my daughter Neandra.

In 2019, I bumped into one of the doctors who I used to work with. He recognised me, even after all these years. It was a pleasant surprise and it bought back some fond memories of my time at East Ham Memorial Hospital.

Beulah Stewart

I worked at East Ham Memorial Hospital from 1970 to 1972. During my training, I also worked at Langthorne Hospital in Leytonstone. Later, I qualified I worked in the Midwifery department in Glasgow until 1976. I moved to Canada in 1977 where I still live.

Beulah outside Langthorne Hospital, March 1971

I shared a room with Elizabeth Hamilton. We were new to London so during our time off we would go sight-seeing in Central London. During the evening, a group of us would go out to parties. We had a curfew so we had to make sure we got back to the nursing residence before the Matron, who lived on the premises, locked the door. The Matron would wake us up in the morning to attend breakfast in the canteen, by banging on the door.

I can remember we used to drag our mattresses and sleep on the floor in the other nurse’s rooms.

Even though we all came from different parts of the Caribbean we became one family. I still remain good friends with Tina Etienne and Elizabeth Hamilton.

I have some lovely memories of my time at East Ham Memorial Hospital; it was a beautiful time in my life.

Elizabeth Hamilton:

I first met my husband Karl Hamilton at one of the parties I attended with Beulah. Karl always made sure that we arrived back to our nurses residence before the curfew. We have a boy, Michael. We remained married until his death.

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