Marian Elizabeth Wilson

[alf mcm]

This woman appears on the University of Edinburgh University Student’s Representative Council’s Roll of Honour, of those who died. She does not, however, appear in the University of Edinburgh University Roll of Honour 1914-1919. She qualified as a doctor in 1906, and appears to be the Marian E. Wilson mentioned on a medal record card as serving as a doctor with the French Red Cross. She appears in the U.K. Medical Register up to 1915. Confusingly, there is also a medal record card for Marian Elizabeth Wilson, Staff Nurse in the T.F.N.S. Could these women be the same person? Any information on this woman would be appreciated.

Regards,

Alf McM

[Sue Light]

She was a doctor with the Scottish Women's Hospital, working at Royaumont from 1st November 1915 until 1st July 1917. She died from complications of appendicitis while on holiday. There are many references to her in Eileen Crofton's book 'The Women of Royaumont, A Scottish Women's Hospital on the Western Front,' including:

"1917 had held its share of sorrow for the Unit when they heard of the death on August 1^st of Dr Wilson from acute appendicitis while she was on holiday in the Alpes Maritimes. She was only 36. It was, as Miss Ivens said, a great blow to them all:

Her personal charm and extreme interest and solicitude for her patients gained her their affection in an unusual degree, and after their return to the front they not infrequently walked many miles and spent many hours of their short leave in paying her a visit. In spite of a frail physique, with an admirable spirit, Miss Wilson rose to the occasion during many periods of stress and fatigue – her loss has created an irreparable gap.

After qualifying in Edinburgh in 1906 she had worked as a medical missionary in Jaffa and Hebron where she was popular and known as ‘El Hakimeh’ (the lady doctor). She was a brilliant linguist. She was said to mop up languages as a sponge mops up water – French, German, Arabic, Latin and Greek. Had she lived she would have added Hebrew. She loved best physician’s work, but her colleagues rated her surgical skills highly and these were much called into play during her time at Royaumont. She was said to be rather silent and reserved, with many friends but few intimates, but she had great personal charm. She had wide intellectual interests, including architecture and, while she was at Royaumont, she was studying French history. Music, colour, books, flowers and lace-making were among her hobbies. She also loved horse-riding and played a notable part in the hockey team. One friend wrote of her: ‘She was so rare, she was so fine – and she had not the slightest idea of it.'"

Sue

[alf mcm]

Thanks Sue,

I guessed you might have the answer. She sounds like a remarkable character, many thanks for all the information. It is quite a coincidence that she had exactly the same name as another member of the medical profession.

Regards,

Alf McM

[David Seymour]

Alf,

There is a photo of Marian Elizabeth Wilson on Plate XC (facing p. 112) in the 'University of Edinburgh Roll of Honour 1914 - 1919', which can be found here: https://archive.org/details/rollofhonour191400univuoft There is an entry for her on p.113.

Hope this helps.

With best wishes,

David

[alf mcm]

Thanks David.

She appears to be the only woman to be photographed.

Regards,

Alf