Bolton war nurse recalls her time serving her country

She spoke to The Bolton News about serving her country.

The proud former nurse is the last surviving member of the British Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD).

Originally from London, and now living Bolton, said she she felt like she needed to be part of the war effort during World War II.

She said: “We had to be evacuated from London during the war so we all went to Stoke-On-Trent.

“I wanted to do something to help the war so I joined the Red Cross and was stationed all over the country.

“I went to hospitals and helped look after the soldiers ill or wounded in battle and it felt nice to be able to do that for them.”

After officially joining at 18, Kathleen became vital as there was a shortage of nurses.

She said: “It just felt like something we ought to do and it was quite interesting.

“After this I went to Malta but the war was finishing then and we had to do everything from cleaning and changing bed sheets to nursing them back to health.”

Kathleen and her family usually attend the Remembrance Concert in London at the Royal Albert Halls but this year they attended the concert at rBolton’s Albert Halls.

She said: “We’re a musical family and love going every year, but this year it’s difficult as the trains are quite expensive and my health isn’t the same.

“It’s important to me to attend because it’s history and it’s my past and I want to remember it.”

Kathleen and her family moved to Bolton the war ended in 1946 with her husband Philip Turner.

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This was the start of a happy and healthy family home for Kathleen who retrained as a PE teacher, teaching young people netball after school among other things.

Kathleen said she loved her work and is proud to walk in Bolton at the Remembrance Sunday Service.

The service at Victoria Square in Bolton starts at 10.40am, with a wreath laying service.