Nellie Hozier and the Manners Ambulance Corps in Brussels
Nellie Hozier, ( 1888-1955) daughter of Lady Blanche Hozier and sister of
Clementine Churchill. Went to Brussels
Nellie Hozier showed great courage in joining
the Angela Manners Ambulance Corps in August 1914.
What follows
is extracted from Nellie's personal papers
( held in Hereford Archives)
:
“ A surgeon , 6 nurses and myself left Charing Cross
at 8.30 AM on Saturday the 14th of Aug 1914 for Brussels .
The expedition was organized by Angela Manners and financed by her family and
many friends. I went as secretary and interpreter ( friends do not smile )
dressed in nurses’ uniforms for greater safety. On arriving we were
installed in a convent. After being there five days we received this
telegram ( see below* ).
We did not wish to leave Brussels
and we could not for the Germans were already in possession of this town,
they had entered that very day. We were shut off from the outside world,
pleased to be here to do work but very angry at being under German
rule. Never mind we will wait to see till the English appear.”
*"TELEGRAM FROM
WINSTON CHURCHILL TO NELLIE HOZIER
STRONGLY ADVISE GOING ANTWERP WHERE
WORK WILL BE USEFUL THROUGHOUT THE WAR = WINSTON"
Nellie and her
colleagues served in Belgium
for several months treating the war wounded. In November 1914 they were
all arrested and thrown into prison, their release later secured by Brand
Whitlock, ( 1869-1934) the American representative in Brussels ( later
the American Ambassador).
For more information on members of the Angela Manners
Ambulance Corps please contact William Cross by e-mail.
With acknowledgment and thanks to the son and daughters of
Giles Romilly, the eldest son of Nellie Hozier.
Also thanks to Hereford Archives
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