Florence Collins

Born 1868, died 1926
Superintendent Nurse at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse, 1906
Researched by Dauna Coppin

Florence was born in Plumstead, Kent on 8th April 1868 and baptised as Florence Lizetta Sargent, four weeks later, on 3rd May. The family home was 7 Villas Road, Plumstead. Her parents were John and Ann (née Hayes) who were married on 15th February 1864 in Deptford, London. John’s occupation was an engine fitter.

When the 1871 census was taken, a 3-year-old Florence had moved to live around the corner in Station Road Plumstead with her parents and elder sister, Mary, aged 6 years, together with her widowed maternal Grandmother, Martha Hayes. In 1881, the family had moved back to 7 Villas Road, Plumstead.

Just three years later, aged just 16 years, Florence embarked upon her future career as a nurse. From 11th June 1884 she was employed as Mitcham School’s Infirmary Attendant for the Holborn Union. This lasted until 27th June 1887. Then, in May 1888 she worked as an Assistant Nurse in the Poplar and Stepney Guardians’ Sick Asylum, for two years and five months.

From 4th October 1890, Florence began her official training at Kingston Union Infirmary, as an Assistant Nurse, and gained her London Obstetrical Qualification on 15th July 1891. The 1891 census shows that she was living and working alongside her older sister, Mary, who was also a nurse.

Florence left Kingston for St Olave’s Union Workhouse, Bermondsey, where she was employed as a Charge Nurse from 29th February 1892 until 1st June 1900. Unusually for a working nurse, Florence then got married in the June Quarter of  1900, to James Collins and she gave birth to a daughter, Winifred, a few months later, on 6th October.

The 1901 census showed that she was staying at 4 Villas Road in Plumstead with her daughter, in the house of her uncle, William Hayes, but her husband was nowhere to be found. Her parents were living opposite at number 7, and possibly helped to care for Winifred while Florence worked.

From January 1903 to December 1904, Florence worked at Poplar and Stepney as a Superintendent Nurse. She then moved on, in the same role, to Southwark Union until 13th March 1906. The Midwives Roll of 1905 showed 7 Villas Road as Florence’s registered address.

Her appointment at Southwark was not without some controversy. The local newspaper, The Southwark and Bermondsey Recorder, reported on 19th November 1904: “The Newington Committee recommended the appointment of Florence Collins as Superintendent Nurse, with salary at the rate of £35 per annum, increasing to £40, with lodging, washing and uniform, and £5 in lieu of part rations, ie., beer” but also noted: “...the best candidate for the post was not recommended for the post because a religious test had been imposed. The best candidate was a Roman Catholic.” It seems that a  heated discussion had ensued as to whether the religious beliefs should be relevant to the appointments.

Florence moved away, leaving her daughter behind, when she accepted the job as Superintendent Nurse for the Mitford and Launditch Union in Gressenhall, Norfolk. She started in September but resigned in November 1906 with no reason stated.

Subsequently, her daughter, Winifred started at Vicarage Road school, Plumstead, in 1907. She was living at the house of her maternal grandparents, at 7 Villas Road, and her parent/guardian’s name was given as her father, James, although he has not been positively located on the censuses around this time. However, by 1911, Florence, then aged 42, stated that she was a widow. She had moved again and was working as a Superintendent Nurse at Dover Union Workhouse, Union Road, Dover, whilst Winifred remained living in Plumstead with her grandparents and her uncles Charles and Robert, who were employed as a tin plate labourer and gas worker, respectively.

From 1915 until 1926, Florence remained working. The Midwives Rolls show her address consistently as Newington Workhouse, Walworth, SW London.  However, on the 1921 census, she and her daughter, Winifred were living at 119 Brookmill Road in the St Paul’s area of Deptford. Winnifred occupation was as a Clerk and Florence was, at that time, on Home Duties.

Sadly, on 4th October 1926, Florence died, aged 57. At the time of her death, she was living at 12 Eaton Place, Brighton. Her probate was granted to her daughter, Winifred, who was unmarried.