Nurse Beatrice May Parke (nee Crooks), 1887 - 1953

Peter Parke writes

My paternal grandmother, Beatrice, of Tuddenham in Suffolk, trained as a nurse at the London Hospital, qualifying in 1911. She then came to work at Southwold Hospital, lodging at what was then called Cumberland Terrace.

During the First World War, she went into military nursing, based in London. I have a silver epergne in the shape of a palm tree "Presented to Nurse B. Crooks by the Boys of F1 & 2 Wards, Bermondsey Military Hospital, July 31st 1917". As well as a "thank you" present, I think this was also a leaving/wedding present from her patients.

Returning to Suffolk, on 7th November 1917 she married my grandfather Edward Gaymer Parke (1872-1958) at St. Martins Church, Tuddenham. Tthe Marriage Certificate describes him as "Manager of Brewery". He was later Company Secretary and Director of Adnams, and worked there 73 years.

Beatrice then left nursing and settled down to married life, living at The Cottage, Manor Park Road. She produced three sons, Edward Gaymer Parke Jr. (my father, 1918-2002), John George Parke (1920-2013), and Donald Arthur Parke (1922-1944). Donald was killed on active service with the RAF in North Africa and buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery. His is the last name on the 1939-45 military panel of the Southwold War Memorial). Donald's medals are on extended loan to Southwold Museum.