Ida Daisy Arnell

Born 1886, died 1955
Charge Nurse at Gressenhall Public Assistance Institution, 1932-47
Researched by Helen Bainbridge

Ida Daisy Arnell was born on 22nd June 1886 in the St Saviour, Southwark district of London. Her parents were John and Susannah (née Heeley). Ida had six older siblings, Joseph Henry, William John, George Edward, Walter, Hilda and James Edward.

In the 1891 census Ida is aged 4 years old and living with her parents and eight siblings at 2 Azenby Square, Camberwell, London. Her father’s occupation is a Builder, and an employer. Joseph, aged 16, and William, aged 15 are both are stated to be builders’ assistants. Walter is aged 11, Hilda 9 and James 6, and there are two younger children, Archibald aged 2 and Victoria 7 months. There was also a visitor on the night of the census, Alice Hopkins, aged 37, born in Birmingham, Warwickshire.

Ten years later in the 1901 census, Ida is aged 14 years old is living with her parents and siblings in Camberwell. The 1911 census still shows Ida is living at home, now in Kennington. She is aged 24 years and working as a draper’s assistant. Her mother is aged 49, her father John, aged 62, and is working for an employer as a gas and hot water fitter. Living with them is James aged 26, working as a musician, and Archibald, aged 22, working as a tailor’s assistant, Victoria, aged 20, is a clerk/typist and Beatrice, aged 18, is also a draper’s assistant. Ida’s father died in the October quarter of 1914, aged 66.

Ida became registered on the Midwives Roll after undertaking the Central Midwives Board (CMB) Examination by 11 May 1918, her registration number 47095 and address being 151 Northumberland Park, Tottenham, London. In the 1921 census she is stated to be aged 35, single, a sick nurse and midwife residing at 2 Amhurst Park, Highfield Nursing Institute, Stoke Newington. She is also at this address in the Midwives Rolls of 1926, 1931 and 1935, although it appears that Ada moved out of London before this date as we find her first mentioned in the Guardians Minute books of Gressenhall Public Assistance Institution on 11 April 1932, where she asks for three weeks holiday. We are currently unable to confirm the date of her appointment at Gressenhall.

In May and June 1935, the issue of Ida’s superannuation (pension) and retirement was discussed. The outcome given stated that “in view of the information furnished by the County Accountant, Miss Arnell in the event of her retirement would not be entitled to a superannuation allowance, but only to a return of her contributions amounting to seventeen pounds”.

In 1939 a number of nurses are listed in the minutes as being off duty due to illness within days of eachother. Ida went off sick on 28 February 1939 and resumed her duties on 8 March 1939. The reason for the sickness is not given. She is listed on the 1939 Register as being born on 6 June 1886 and employed as a Sister. However she is again off duty at the end of 1939, where she “happened with an accident on 6 December 1939 while on duty and fractured her wrist and is likely to be absent from duties for four or five weeks”. She actually resumed her duties on 24 February 1940, so was off work for nearly 3 months.

On 9 February 1942, the Minutes state that “…the Public Assistance Committee had agreed that Nurse Arnell should in future be classified as a Staff Nurse upon Grade I/C and that her salary should be increased to £85 per annum as from 1st January 1942 with further increments of £5 per annum on 1st April 1942”. Her wage did in fact increase to £90 on 9 March 1942.

The 1943-1944 Midwives Roll, confirms her address as the Public Assistance Institution, Gressenhall, East Dereham, Norfolk. However by 18 March 1947 there must have been some concerns regarding Ida’s health as it is indicated that she had been not working due to health issues. At this time she would have been aged 61 years. The minutes state “that in the interests of both Nurse Arnell and the Institution, the Master be authorised to arrange for this Nurse to be medically examined to ensure she is fit to resume duties”. Although in the same minutes she is stated to incrementally receive an increase to her wages of £10 from the 1st April 1947. Her designation stated to be an Intermediate Assistant Nurse.

Unfortunately the minutes of 14 April 1947 state “that the resignation of Nurse I D Arnell, Charge Nurse, upon medical grounds, after her examination by the County Medical Officer and Institution Medical Officer, be accepted with regret, and that the Clerk be asked to convey to Nurse Arnell the Committee’s deep appreciation and thanks for her long and valued service at Beech House; also that the County Council be recommended to grant the maximum superannuation allowance possible to Nurse Arnell”.  It is not clear what type of illness prevented Ada continuing to work, but the Guardian’s granted her superannuation despite previously agreeing she was not eligible. The minutes of 12 May 1947 confirm that the “Public Assistance Committee had fixed the superannuation allowance payable to this Nurse at the maximum amount possible ie. £73 7s 5d per annum; and in addition had granted Nurse Arnell one week’s holiday with pay and ration allowance”.  

Ida potentially went to live with her brother Walter after her resignation, as records show that she died on 22 June 1955, aged 69 at the address they both lived at, 50 Amaston Road, SE 18. Her death is registered in the June quarter of 1955 in the Woolwich District. She was cremated at Camberwell, Honor Oak Crematorium.