BALLYMENA 1914-1918

Ballymena and Voluntary Aid

The British Red Cross joined with the Order of St John to form the Joint War Committee after the 24th August 1914. This body co-ordinated fund raising and relief work across the UK.  It set up general hospitals, and it identified premises for, and set up, auxiliary hospitals and convalescent homes for the wounded. Under the banner of Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs), County branches of the Red Cross also set up volunteer groups for men and women who wanted to contribute to the war effort. Nursing, transport duties, the organisation of rest stations and working parties were among the things that fell under their brief.

Women were initially taught first aid, home nursing and hygiene by suitably qualified people; they also learned cookery. Men focused on training to carry stretchers and to undertake first aid in the field.

After February 1915 the War Office asked for volunteers to help in the military hospitals run and staffed by the Royal Army Medical Corps.  These were the 'Special Service' type personnel and they were soon operating in war theatres like France, Malta, Russia, Italy and Egypt, as well as in the UK.

A 'General Service' category was added in September 1915 for less qualified individuals who were needed to work as clerks, cooks, storekeepers, etc. These initiatives, apart from giving vital help where it was needed, had released 11,000 fit men for military service by 1919.  

Many of the VAD personnel were women (Fewer men were available because military service took priority, especially after the introduction of conscription on the British mainland; the VAD's would not take men merely trying to avoid such service.) Men who did go abroad with the VADs worked as transport officers, ambulance drivers, hospital orderlies, etc. 

Rest stations, where groups met ambulance trains or troops transports, to offer men tea and refreshments did happen here, and male personnel and their female colleagues participated in moving wounded men to and from hospital, convalescent homes, etc.  Air Raid duties were undertaken in England but not here in Ireland.

Ballymena's VAD personnel fell into three main categories - 'Special Service' nurses, 'General Service' volunteers, and those connected to 'working parties and work groups'.  The latter were not strictly Red Cross workers but they were organised to supply hospital requisites - blankets, bed and day socks, belts, pyjamas, shirts, dressing gowns, etc. Some made medical items like bandages, splints and swabs. Queen Mary's Needlework Guild (QMNG) was created to allow local groups to contribute sewed and knitted items; some even collected sphagnum moss for surgical use.

Some Ballymena Examples

The records referred to below may be partial; that of Dorothy Gage Samuels certainly is as she tells us that in addition to what was listed that she had also worked in the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena.  The records do, this notwithstanding, provide a snapshot of what women were doing to further the war effort.

(Please note: 'Antrim 28' or similar refers to the VAD unit designation)

Acheson, Mary, Knockboy, Broughshane, (Antrim 28) nurse, age 29, served after the 24th September 1916 at Waveney Hospital, Ballymena, at Cottonera Military Hospital, Malta, at King George Military Hospital, London, and with 559th French Field Ambulance, France.  She was awarded 1 scarlet stripe.

Acheson, Roberta Kathleen, Knockboy, Broughshane, (Antrim 28) nurse, 28th February 1916 and 'still serving' 6 hours daily at Waveney Hospital, Ballymena at war's end. Paid £10 per annum after 1st January 1918. Awarded two war service bars.

Andrews, Miss E(llen) Orr, age 37, Mossbank, Glenwherry, served 400 hours during the period between 17th November 1917 to July 1918 with Queen Mary's Needlework Guild.

Andrews, Sara, Glenfield, Glenwherry, served 350 hours between 17th November 1917 and July 1918 with the Ladies Relief Committee and the Queen Mary's Needlework Guild making pants, pyjamas, day shirts, knitting, etc.

Boal, Miss Sara Spence, Tullygarley, Ballymena (Antrim 28)  carried out unpaid nursing duties for 6 hours per day at Waveney Hospital, Ballymena.  She had previously served with the British Red Cross Sewing Society.

Boyd, Elsie McClelland, age 20, of Ardonville, Waveney Road, Ballymena (Gloonan, Ahoghill on 1901 census), served as a VAD nurse (Antrim 28) between 26th April 1918 and 10th October 1918 at the auxiliary hospital at 42 Avon View  House, Trowbridge, Wiltshire and carried out nursing and pantry duties on a full-time basis. She had gone there from Devonshire House.

Bresland, Miss Sara Josephine, Lone Ash, Ballymena, worked unpaid as a cook and a nurse (Antrim 28)  in the Serbian Relief Fund Hospital from 29th October 1914 to May 1915; she was awarded the Serbian Red Cross Medal. From September 1915 to May 1916 she received overseas service pay for nursing duties carried out in Egypt.  She went to Cannes, France in May 1916 and was paid £2 per month for her VAD nursing work, thereafter moving to Hardelot, France as a VAD nurse from January to February 1917.   She was again awarded overseas service pay.  She resigned at the end of February, citing exhaustion as the cause.

Calderwood, Jane Fleck, The Manse, High Street, Ballymena, engaged as a nurse (Antrim 28) in the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena after the 15th April 1918, initially for 6 hours per day and later full time. She was still serving at the end of the war in January 1919 and had amassed 1708 hours of duty.

Caruth, Miss Deborah Mary (later Mrs Hill-Lowe), Drumard, Ballymena, started full time work as a VAD nurse (Antrim 30) on October 1915.  She started her engagement in the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena, spent 1915-16 at Rouen, France, returned to the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena in 1917, and then went to the French Red Cross in 1918.

Caruth, Miss Hilda, Craigywarren, Ballymena, served at intervals as a VAD nurse (Antrim 28) in the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena from March 1917 to October 1918.  She was paid £10 per year for 6 hour shifts, 8 am to 2 pm.

Caruth, Linda Ethel, Drumard Cottage, made herself available for 6 hours per day for VAD nursing (Antrim 28) at the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena from 1st February 1917 -1st May 1917, and from 1st September 1917 - 1st October 1917.

Caruth, Nora Cordukes, Hugomont, Ballymena, made herself available for VAD nursing duties (Antrim 28) at the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena from January 1917 until April 1918.  She earned £20 per annum and worked a total of 2807 hours altogether. She was granted the St John's Ballymena Working Party Certificate.

Caruth, Rosa, Craigywarren, Ballymena, served for 6 hours per day as a VAD nurse (Antrim 28) in the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena after 1st November 1917 and she was still serving at the end of the war. She was paid £10 per annum after 1st January 1918.  

Cocksedge, Lily A, Cromkill, Ballymena was 22 years old when she became an accounts clerk paid 31/6d per week (£1.57½ per week) at Exeter War Hospital. She served (Antrim 28) from 25th June to the 14th November 1918.

Cummins, Sarah, The Manse, Glenwherry spent 400 hours between 17th November 1917 and July 1918 making shirts, pyjamas, knitting, etc for the Queen Mary's Needlework Guild and Ballymena Red Cross Society.

Cosbie (Cosby sic), Grace, Greenoge, Ballymena, worked as an unpaid VAD cook (Antrim 28) in the Waveney Hospital from the 5th February 1917 to 8th January 1919. She worked one week per month from 7 am to 2 pm preparing breakfast and lunch.

Craig, Martha, age 23, of Ballyboley, Ballynure, (Antrim Reserve) worked as a 'House Member' at the 1st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham from 26th February 1918 until the 31st April 1919.

Crawford, Mrs Martha, The Collin, Moorfields, worked for the Queen Mary's Needlework Guild and Ballymena Red Cross Society from 17th November 1917 to July 1918 to make, shirts, pyjamas, socks, etc.

Dunseath, Mary, Fernacushog, Glarryford, started work as a VAD nurse (Antrim 28) in June 1918 and was paid £10 per annum for 6 hours per day at the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena. She transferred to Fargo Hospital, Salisbury Plain in November 1918 and was still there on the 20th May 1919.  She said she had signed a one year contract and would stay as required.

Eagleson, BA,  Jane Kennedy, Flixton Place, Ballymena (the slip road between North Road and Pentagon) served for a short time as a VAD nurse (Antrim 28) in the Waveney Hospital and was also Quartermaster of Antrim 28, the local VAD. She then worked as a paid clerk at the War Hospital, Birmingham from 1st August 1916 until the 8th October 1917. She went from 15th March 1918 to Salonika, Greece. She was Head Clerk, later Commandant, for a time and thereafter moved as Head Clerk to Constantinople, Turkey to work in a military hospital. One of her record cards is stamped Shropshire Voluntary Aid and Berrington War Hospital, Shrewsbury. - See 'Weekly War 1918' for Ballymena Observer item on this.

Eaton, Elizabeth Ann Graham, New Lodge, Ballymena, was 29 years old and a nurse, a Sister, and she served at Calais, France at the start of the war; this entitled her to a 1914 Star (medal). She was later at Biarritz, France.  Her period of service was from 11th October 1914 to the 15th July 1915.

Ferguson, Emily Rachel, Neillsbrook, Randalstown, was 32 years old and a nurse, and she worked as a paid nurse trainer from 20th September 1917 to 23rd December 1918.

Gibson, Miss Jane Elizabeth, Emdale, Broughshane was a VAD nurse (Antrim 28) in the Waveney Hospital from April to August 1918.  She worked 6 hours per day, her service partly paid at a rate of £10 per annum, and she undertook ward duties and changed dressings.

Graham, Mrs Josiah, Brae, Glenwherry, gave 350 hours service between 17th November 1917 and July 1918 to the Red Cross Society and Queen Mary's Needlework Guild.  She made garments of various types for the patients and knitted socks, etc.

Graham, Miss Martha, Brae, Glenwherry, gave 400 hours service between 17th November 1917 and July 1918 to the Red Cross Society and Queen Mary's Needlework Guild.  She made garments of various types and knitted socks, etc.

Hamilton, Agnes Elizabeth, Ballycowan House, Ballymena, aged 24 and of Belfast VAD (Belfast Reserve 48), worked as a typist/clerk from 14 March 1918 to 3rd June 1919 at Rugeley Camp, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire and later as Head Clerk at Holborn Military Hospital, Western Road, Mitcham, Surrey. She was paid 33/6d (£1.67½p) and 42/-  (£2.10) per week respectively at these hospitals.

Hanna, Miss Grace, 3 Victoria Terrace, Harryville,  worked 6 hours per day as an unpaid VAD nurse (Antrim 28) in the Waveney Hospital from 24th September 1916 to 2nd January 1917 and from 12th August 1917 to 12th September 1917.

Henderson, Violet McKee, 'Ivy Dene', Galgorm Road, Ballymena, worked seven stints as a VAD nurse (Antrim 28) for 6 hours per day in the Waveney Hospital, unpaid until January 1918, from January 1917 and still carrying out general nursing duties at the end of the war and in early 1919.

Johnston, Miss Caroline of Lisvarna, Ballymena was a 26 year old nurse (Antrim 28) who served in the 1st Western General Military Hospital, Liverpool between 22 August 1916 and the 22nd January 1917.

Johnston, Miss Daphne, Ennismore, Ballymena, was a VAD nurse (VAD 28) in the Waveney Hospital after April 1917 and she was paid £10 per annum for 6 hours work per day after the 1st January 1918. She was still serving in April 1919.

Jukes, Josephine, of Ballymena undertook sewing duties for one afternoon per week at the Village Hall VAD Hospital, Orpington, Kent (Kent 108) between October 1914 and the closure of the unit in March 1919. She served 700 hours, presumably unpaid,  in total. This Village Hall VAD Hospital dealt with 1,489 patients during the war, presumably not badly injured, and none are recorded as having died.

Kinnear, Margaret, Ballee, Ballymena, worked as a VAD cook (Antrim 28) in the Waveney Hospital after the 23rd April 1916.  She had worked many unpaid hours in the role before she was assigned a full time role cooking and supervising the kitchen after 23rd September 1917. She was still working there in early 1919.  She was awarded two war service bars for her efforts.

Kirkpatrick, Miss Sadie,  Coree?, Grange Road, Ballymena, was a VAD nurse (VAD 30) and worked in the Waveney Hospital for a total of 2526 hours between 5th October 1915 and early 1919.  She was unpaid until the 1st January 1918.  Her efforts earned her one war service bar.

Lancashire, Miss Mary Constance, Church Street, Ballymena, was aged 23 when she engaged as a nurse at No 3 North General Hospital (Wharncliffe), Sheffield after the 3rd January 1916.  She was still there in August 1919.  She was attached to Antrim 688 VAD. She was the daughter of Huston, Chemist and maker of aerated waters, and Emily Francis Lancashire, Church Street, Ballymena.

McCalister, Mrs Rosa M (Rose on 1911 Irish census, wife of James, poor rate collector, and mother of Janie Smyth McCalister, 12 years old), Greenmount Terrace, Ballymena was part of Antrim 28 and served from October 1915 to 7 June 1918 as an unpaid nurse and cook for 6 hours per day in the Waveney Hospital.

McConnell, Thomasina, The Battery, Moorfields, knitted and sewed for the Queen Mary Needlework Guild (Ballymena Red Cross) between 17th November 1917 and July 1918. She was one of the children of John McCullough McConnell and his wife Agnes.  He describes himself on the 1911 Irish census as a farmer, grocer and publican, hence probably owner of the Battery Inn, now The Misty Burn Restaurant. 

McCullagh, Mrs, wife of Sergeant McCullagh, RIC Ballymena was part of a St John's Work Party, Reg. no. 4936, Donegal) from April 1917 to February 1919.  She earned a VW Badge.

McCullough, Miss Mary, Reidstown, Glenwhirry worked 250 hours knitting and sewing for Queen Mary's Needlework Guild (British Red Cross) between October 1917 to July 1918.

Mills, Helen Crawford, Ashville, Ballymena, aged 23 on engagement, worked as part of Antrim 28 VAD from 1st November 1916 to 1st August 1917 in the 1st Western General (Military) Hospital), Liverpool

.

O'Loan, Annie, William Street, Ballymena, worked as a cook (Antrim 28) from 7am to 2 pm for one week every month in the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena. She was the daughter of David, hide merchant and cattle dealer, sister of Agnes and brother of William.

Owens, Evelyn, Braetown, Glenwhirry worked 250 hours knitting and sewing for Queen Mary's Needlework Guild (British Red Cross) between 17th November 1917 to July 1918.

Owens, Lizzie, Braetown, Glenwhirry worked 250 hours knitting and sewing for Queen Mary's Needlework Guild (British Red Cross) between 17th November 1917 to July 1918.

Palmer, Annie Rebecca, 43 Bridge Street, Ballymena was 30 when she joined the VAD (Antrim 28) on the 19th March 1918, and she served as a clerk at Fovant Military Hospital, Salisbury Plain, Sutton Veny Military Hospital,  and at Fargo Military Hospital between 26th January 1919 and the 7th July 1919. These hospitals were all near Salisbury Plain, a main area for military camps.

Paul, Anne Maria, Gladstone Terrace, Galgorm Road, Ballymena, was 24 when he took up nursing duties as a VAD (Antrim 28) on the 10th April 1918.  She served at Napsbury Hospital, St Albans, Hertfordshire (otherwise known as County of Middlesex War Hospital) until the 18th September 1918, then moved to the 5th London General Hospital (St Thomas's Hospital) until the 23rd November 1918, and then completed her stint by working at Shepherd's Bush Military Hospital, Hammersmith, London, a pioneering orthopaedic hospital,  until the 24th March 1919.

Pryde, Mrs Rose Constance (nee Caruth), The Grange, Ballymena, was a VAD nurse (Antrim 28) from 17th October 1915 to 9th May 1918.  She became a Staff Nurse.  She was unpaid for 5 months and said she received £10/annum for 9 months.  Her service was as follows: 6 months whole time, 1470 hours part time. From Oct 17th - 24th,  1915 and from Feb 28th - April 14th, 1916 she worked at the  Waveney Hospital, Ballymena. She also did  31 days odd times relief duty there between July 22nd - Oct 1st,  1916; from Jan 9th - July 30th 1917 she worked at the U.V.F. Hospital at Belfast. ( 3 months half day and 4 months whole time ), and from March 10th - May 9th, 1918 she worked at Craigavon U.V.F Hospital, Belfast full time. She was the wife of Captain R M Pryde, UVF and Royal Irish Rifles, director of the Ballymena Weaving Company, and the daughter of James Caruth, solicitor, Ballymena.

Samuels, Dorothy Gage (nee Young, married in 1913), Millmount, Randalstown was the wife of Captain Arthur Purefoy Irwin Samuels and she was also a sister of fellow 11th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles officer Guy Owen Lawrence Young and of George Neville Patrick Young (MC), Lieutenant, 2nd Leinster Regiment, who died on 25th July in Boulogne Hospital of wounds received on the 12th July 1915. The three Youngs were the children of George Lawrence Young & Annie Young (nee Harvey), Culdaff House, Donegal & of Millmount, Randalstown. 

She was a VAD full time nurse (St John's 850) and was paid £20/annum + allowances from the 3rd November 1916 until 3rd December 1918, her service being as follows: 3rd November 1916 to 20th February 1918 at Isolation Hospital, Etaples, France; Rouen General Hospital from 20th February 1918 to 1st May 1918; and Marseilles General Hospital from 1st May 1918 until 3rd December 1918.  She had previously served in the UVF Hospital from January 1915 to April 1915.  She was Mentioned in Despatches in December 1918.

Simpson, Emily Crawford, West Church Manse, Ballymena, was 30 years old and part of Antrim 28 VAD when she undertook the role of Assistant Cook at Bath War Hospital from 6th April 1917,  remaining there until 6th November 1917. Bath War Hospital was at Combe Park. It provided 1300 beds and was one of the largest war hospitals in the country, yet the Imperial War Museum has no record of it, though its existence is not in doubt. She said she worked 12-14 hours per day while there.  Previously she had worked in the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena, from January 1916 - March 1917, and she was to work there again from April 1918 - August 1918.  Her shifts were normally eight hours per day.  She also worked at Basingstoke YMCA from November 1917 to March 1918, and she was working at the Belfast Soldiers and Sailors Services Club from August 1918 until it closed in August 1919.  There she said she worked a 12 hour day.

Simpson, Margaret Rose, Prospect, Brocklamount (sic), Ballymena was the Commandant overseeing the VAD members (Antrim 28) working in the Waveney Hospital.  She fulfilled the unpaid role from 22nd March 1915 and worked 6 hours each day until the end of the war. She lived with her brother, a man of with 'S P private income', according to the 1911 census return.  She says she got a 'mention' in 1917, and was recognised as a 'Honourable Serving Sister' by St John's in 1918.

Simpson, Miss Norah Josephine, younger sister of Emily, West Church Manse, Ballymena, served as an unpaid VAD (Antrim 28) nurse (paid £10/annum after 1st Jan 1918) in the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena from October 14th,  1916 to at least January 1919.  She worked in stints of one month at a time throughout the period, devoting 6 hours of her time each day. She was awarded '1 stripe' in recognition of her efforts.

Storey, Miss Janie (Jane?),  Greenhill, Moorfields, Ballymena worked for 300 hours making garments and knitting for the Queen Mary's Needlework Guild (British Red Cross) from 17th November 1917 until July 1918.

Strange, Miss Jane,  Tildarg, Glenwhirry, Ballymena worked for 150 hours making garments and knitting for the Queen Mary's Needlework Guild (British Red Cross) from 17th November 1917 until July 1918.

Strange, Miss Mary Ann,  Tildarg, Glenwhirry, Ballymena worked for 350 hours making garments and knitting for the Queen Mary's Needlework Guild (British Red Cross) from 17th November 1917 until July 1918.

Sutherland, Ida Violet Sheppard, Millmount, Randalstown served as a paid VAD nurse (Antrim 40)  from 1st February 1918 to 31st July 1919. She was at No 2 General Hospital, (Le Havre) France from 1st February 1918 to 26th July 1918, and was at No 32 General (sic) Hospital, France (actually No. 32 Stationery Hospital was at Wimereux, France)  from 26th July 1918 until 31st July 1919.

Swann, Sadie, Randalstown, later 796 Lipton Street, Winnipeg, Canada, was taken on as a paid probationer VAD nurse (Belfast 56) on a wage of £20/annum at Stoke War Hospital, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire in October 1917; she was then 25 years old. The hospital was originally the Stoke Workhouse. She remained there until October 1918. Thereafter she transferred to Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot (The has nothing to do with the Cambridge area but came from His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge who was the Commander-in-Chief of the Army at the time. The Duke of Cambridge opened the Aldershot hospital in July 1879.) and was there from June 1918 until October 1918.

Telford, Miss Charlotte, Galgorm, Ballymena worked, as a nurse (Antrim 28) at the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena for a total of two years and four months during the period between 5th October 1915 and January 23, 1919; at the latter date she was still serving.  Her 6 hours service each working day was largely unpaid, she not being allocated £10/annum until 1st January 1918.  Miss Telford was awarded two war service bars for her efforts.

Torrens, Elizabeth, age 45 on taking up duties, gave her address as Cul Rathain,  Ballymena. She was a VAD nurse and from August 1916 to 22nd March 1917 she was at the 2nd Western General Hospital, High Street, Manchester, a full time job for which she was paid £20/annum. The 2nd Western General Hospital had been established at the Central High School for Boys, Whitworth Street. Initially 520 beds were provided at the site but during the war a total of 25,000 beds came under the one command. This huge number of hospital beds were scattered throughout Manchester and surrounding towns, the 2nd Western General Hospital becoming the largest military hospital in the UK.  She was part of Antrim 28 and was still serving in the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena on the 4th November 1919.

Wallace, Mrs Esther, Shoptown, Glenwhirry worked 324 hours knitting and sewing for Queen Mary's Needlework Guild (British Red Cross) between October 1917 to July 1918.

Wharry, Agnes, The Cross, Moorfields, worked for the Queen Mary's Needlework Guild/Ladies Relief Committee of the Red Cross for 139 hours making garments and knitting for soldiers.

White, Dora, Broughshane, worked part time as a cook from November 1915 to January 1919, her card marked only 'Cheshire Branch'.

White, Esme Maude, White Hall, Broughshane, (VAD No. 24778, Co Londonderry),  worked as a full time nurse in the UVF Craigavon Hospital, Strandtown, Belfast from the 8th October 1917 onwards.

Wilson, Miss Sarah, 23 Princes' Street, Ballymena, served with Antrim 28 from 24th July 1916 until at least January 1919 and was a paid full time employee in 'general service' at the Waveney Hospital. She earned 'one war service bar'.

Wolseley, Margaret Anna? (Anne), Lone Ash, Ballymena, served with Antrim 28 after July 1915 and was still serving in April 1919.  She was initially an unpaid probationer but was later paid £20/annum and even up to £30/annum at one time.  She spent 6 weeks in July and August 1915 in the Waveney Hospital, and was working as a nurse for a half day on each visit.  She then spent the seven months between September 1915 and April 1916 at the 24th General Hospital, Etaples, France, returning to the Waveney Hospital thereafter for another 6 week/half day session in May and June 1916.  She spent July and August 1916 in 1st Southern General Hospital,  Birmingham,  one of many large military hospitals that were developed to treat the flood of casualties coming back to Blighty from the fighting fronts, and then served from September 1916 to May 1917 in the military hospital at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry, a military base and also a POW camp. She spent June, July and August at the Waveney Hospital in Ballymena, returning to the Park Hall Camp Hospital thereafter.  She was still there in April 1919 in a camp that was becoming more and more unruly. Repatriation of POWs was slow after the war, prisoners rowdy, and in July 1919 a prisoner who threw a brick at the sentry in Park hall Camp was shot dead. The POW camp was not cleared until November. Mrs Wolseley earned 'one efficiency stripe, red' for her efforts.

Margaret Anne Wolseley, Galgorm Parks, Ballymena, (She referred to herself as 'Marguerite' on one document, possibly the consequence of her time in France) was married to William Charles W Wolseley, a linen manufacturer.  She was born in Co Londonderry and was 38 years old at the time of the 1911 Irish census; she had one child at that time, a boy of 9 years called Charles William. The family then had one servant called Barbara Bell.

Wolseley, Sara, VAD Antrim 28 and a cook, gave her address as Lone Ash, Ballymena, and said she had worked 1350 unpaid hours in the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena between 26th August 1916 and early 1919. The 1911 Irish census shows her, the daughter and one of three children of 70 year old Charles William Wolseley, Linen manufacturer, and his wife Sara, then 74, of Brocklamount, Ballymena. She was 41 in 1911.

Young, Henrietta Livingston, VAD Cheshire 90 and Glenacherty, Ballymena, worked as a part-time cook between 1st February 1915 and February 1916.  No further details are provided.

Young, Miss Jane, VAD Antrim 30 and Corbally House, Galgorm, Ballymena, worked part-time doing general nursing duties and cooking at the Waveney Hospital.  She worked 11th Sept. to 12th November, 1916; 25th June to 7th July 1917; 24th October to 5th November, 1917; 28th October to 19th November 1918, and from 15th December 1918 to 30th December 1918.

Skillen, Miss Dorothy Frances (Francis on census) , VAD Antrim 20 and of 23 Railway Street, Lisburn, nursed unpaid for 6½ hours per day in the Waveney Hospital, Ballymena from 1st August 1916 until the 30th April 1917. Thereafter she was paid 25/- (£1.25) to nurse in the UVF Hospital, Belfast, and she was there from 15th July 1917 until 15th September 1917.

Dorothy Frances Skillen was the middle child and only daughter, aged 14 in 1911,  of Joseph  and Mary G M Skillen, and her father was a manager of a linen factory. Her brothers were Fred Rutherford (17) and William G A (13).