"a widespread manifestation of public sympathy and sorrow" | Nurse Hannah Dunlop Mark

The CWGC War Grave of Nurse Hannah Dunlop Mark.

While researching those who died during the First World War, I came across a local woman who was buried in Bridgend Cemetery.  Nurse Hannah Dunlop Mark of the Territorial Nursing Force died on the 10th of October 1918. 

On her death, Hannah was described as "an ideal nurse, kind and gentle in her ways and extremely popular with her colleagues...” But who was she?

Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, Hannah's life has not been documented in great detail. The following information has been drawn together by various certificates, newspaper articles, and archive material. 

Hannah's Baptism Record. 

Hannah Dunlop Mark was baptised at St Mary's Church (Nolton) on the 15th of December 1895. Hannah was the fourth child of nine children born to Alexander and Sarah Marks of Australian Terrace.

The 1901 Census tells us that Hannah and her family were living at 13 Australian Terrace. Alexander is listed as being a Highway Surveyor. Hannah and her siblings are listed as being in school. The Marks children were all pupils of Pen-y-Bont Infants School on Quarella Road. Alexander was listed as being a Highway Surveyor. 

The 1911 Census tells us that the Mark family had moved to a house known as 'Garnock' at Acland Road. The house took its name after the area in Scotland where Alexander was born. At the time of the census, Hannah and her sister Edith were both pupils at Bridgend County School. 

Alexander is listed as being a Road Surveyor, her brother David is listed as being a Postal Worker. Her elder sisters, Elizabeth and Isabella were both listed as working at home as dressmakers. 

A view of Acland Road • Edwin Miles.

By 1914, Hannah had left Bridgend to undertake training to become a nurse. In early 1918, Hannah became attached to the Territorial Force Nursing Service and shortly after moved to Liverpool to work as a nurse at the 1st Western Military Hospital in Fazakerley.

Built as an infectious diseases hospital, the hospital at Fazakerley was taken over the Royal Army Medical Corps at the outbreak of the First World War. It became known at the 1st Western Military Hospital and continue to be used as a military hospital for the full duration of the war. 

On the 10th of October 1918, Nurse Hannah Dunlop Mark died at 1st Western General Hospital, aged 23. Hannah died of 'Pneumonia following Influenza.' It is believed that Hannah was a victim of the 'Spanish Flu.' 

Notice of the death of Nurse Hannah Dunlop Mark • The Glamorgan Gazette.

"A military funeral – numerously attended and deeply impressive – evoking a widespread manifestation of public sympathy and sorrow." 

A description of the funeral of Nurse Hannah Dunlop Mark • The Glamorgan Gazette.

A portrait of Nurse Hannah Dunlop Mark. 

On the 11th of October, Hannah's body was accompanied to Lime Street Station by the matron, assistant matron and nurses of 1st Western Military Hospital. From there, her body was transported to Bridgend by train.  

Following a private service on the 14th of October at the Mark family home, a full military funeral took place at Bridgend Cemetery. As well as members of her family, Hannah's funeral attracted hundreds of mourners. A detachment of Police were in attendance as well as discharged sailors and soldiers. 

The funeral service at the graveside was officiated by Rev. W.J. Phillips (Rector of Coity) with bearers from the Red Cross Detachment. Three rifle volleys were fired by the Volunteer Training Corps overseen by Sergt. Cowden and the Last Post was sounded by Sergt. J.H. Neal.

Hannah's coffin was adorned with floral tributes from family, friends and various organisations including: 

• Bridgend Federation of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers.
• Royal Army Medical Corps Orderlies, Royal Army Medical Corps Staff and Territorial Force. Nurses and Medical Staff at Sparrowhall Military Hospital. 
• Nursing staff of 1st Western General Hospital, Fazakerley. 

Alexander and Sarah received letters of sympathy from people far and wide including: 

• the Director-General of the Army Medical Service.
• the Matron in Chief of the Territorial Force Nursing Society.
• the Principle Matron of the 1st Western Military Hospital, Fazakerley. 

The Matron in Chief wrote: “A record will be kept at the War Office of the cheerful, willing service assistant Nurse Mark has rendered to her country while on active service at home, it was with the deepest regret that the report of her death was received."

A memorial printed in The Glamorgan Gazette in 1919.

After her death, Hannah was publicly remembered by her parents. Around the anniversary of her death, a memorial was printed in The Glamorgan Gazette. This continued for three years until the death of her mother Sarah in 1921. On the death of his wife, Alexander retired to his birth country of Scotland. He died there in 1931. 

(Sources: IWM - BritishNewspapersOnline - CWGC)