Maude C. Davison: Leadership, Survival, and the Angels of Bataan

Maude C. Davison: Leadership, Survival, and the Angels of Bataan

I have been learning about some of the remarkable people who served during the World Wars and over the past couple of days we have been focusing on some of the nurses who served. Today I wanted to talk about Maude C. Davison.

She was born on the 27th of March 1885 in Ontario, Canada, and began her career as a dietitian before she trained as a nurse in the United States. By 1918, she had joined the Army Nurse Corps, which was the start of a long military career.

She rose through the ranks and by 1941, she was serving in the Philippines as chief nurse. After the invasion of the Philippines following Pearl Harbor, she organised nurses, all whilst the area was being bombed and even after she was injured. As the American forces left, she helped to establish makeshift hospitals in jungle conditions and later within the Malinta Tunnel on Corregidor.

 

When the surrender came in 1942, Davison led her nurses into captivity at Santo Tomas. These incredible women became known as the Angels of Bataan. Despite the harsh conditions, she maintained strict order and ensured their survival. After their liberation in 1945, her health was broken, but her leadership had saved lives. Maude C. Davison died on 11th of June 1956, aged 71.

 

 

Image info:
Major Maude C. Davison and First Lieutenant Eunice F. Young, ANC
Date: 1945

John Clarke: The Bassist Who Played Through Titanic’s Final Hours

John Clarke: The Bassist Who Played Through Titanic’s Final Hours

I have been learning about some of the people on board the Titanic, and have over the past few days have focused on the musicians, and today I want to share a little about John Frederick Preston Clarke.

He was born on the 28th of July 1883 in Manchester, into a working family. His father worked as a law clerk and his mother was a dressmaker.

In 1901, he was living in Liverpool and working as an insurance clerk. But by 1911, he had turned to music, living with his family and performing professionally. He played with local orchestras and even the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.

In April 1912, he joined the musicians on board RMS Titanic, and travelling in second class. When the ship hit the iceberg on the 14th of April, he like everyone else was faced with fear and anxiety, but he and the other musician continued to play. Maybe using music to try and calm the others in those terrifying final moments.

He died in the early hours of the 15th of April, aged just 28. His body was later recovered and laid to rest in Halifax.

Do you think continuing to play in such a moment was an act of courage, or something far deeper?

Khonsu and the Moon: A God of Time, Healing, and Protection

Khonsu and the Moon: A God of Time, Healing, and Protection

I have been learning a little  about the many ancient Egyptian gods. So I want to find out more about Khonsu.

Khonsu was associated with the moon and the passing of time. He is often linked to the protection of travellers. The moon moves across the night sky, but always returns.

As Egyptian beliefs developed, Khonsu became more closely connected with healing. It was thought that he could drive away illness and harmful spirits.  

He was also part of a triad at Thebes with Amun, his father and Mut, his mother.  I think that being part of the triad made him easier to relate to, especially for people who put value in family.

 

Do you think people found more comfort in gods like Khonsu?

 

Image info:

Title: Mummy Mask of Khonsu

Date: 1279–1213 B.C. New Kingdom, Ramesside. Reign of Ramesses II

Collection: Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

Annie G. Fox: The Nurse Who Stayed Calm Under Fire at Pearl Harbor

Annie G. Fox: The Nurse Who Stayed Calm Under Fire at Pearl Harbor

I have been learning about some of the remarkable people who served during the world wars and recently I have focused on some incredible US nurses. Today I want to find out about Annie G. Fox.

She was born on the 4th of August 1893 in East Pubnico, Nova Scotia. She later became an American citizen. She joined the United States Army Nurse Corps and steadily built a career.

By the 7th of December 1941, she was serving as chief nurse at Hickam Field in Hawaii. When the attack on Pearl Harbor happened, she remained at her post and continued to care for the wounded. She administered anaesthetics, organised treatment, and guided both trained staff and civilian volunteers.

She was awarded the Purple Heart in 1942, becoming the first woman to receive it. At that time, the award could be given for outstanding service, not just for being wounded. Later, when the rules changed, her Purple Heart was replaced with the Bronze Star in 1944.

She passed away on the 20th of January 1987 at the age of 93.

William Brailey: The Titanic Pianist Who Played Through Fear and Chaos

William Brailey: The Titanic Pianist Who Played Through Fear and Chaos

I have been finding out  about some of the people who were on board Titanic. And the past few days I have focused on the  musicians. Today I want to tell you about William Brailey. He was born on the 25th of October 1887 in Walthamstow. His father was very involved in spiritualism.

He trained as a pianist and began performing at local venues. In 1902, he joined the Lancashire Fusiliers as a musician, travelling as far as Barbados. He left the army early in 1907 and returned to England to continue his musical interest.

By 1911, he was working on board ships, where he met fellow musician Roger Bricoux. In April 1912, he boarded the Titanic. Only days later, as the ship was sinking, he and the other musicians continued to play. He may have been afraid, but he chose to bring an element of calm with music.

He was only 24 when he tragically died and his body was sadly never recovered.

Do you think acts courage like his are sometimes the most powerful?

Sobek: The Nile God Who Embodied Both Life and Danger

Sobek: The Nile God Who Embodied Both Life and Danger

I have been learning a little about some of the many ancient Egyptian gods.  So lets find out a little about Sobek.

At the start Sobek was linked to the Nile, which was the lifeblood of Egypt. The river brought fertility and survival. But it could be dangerous and unforgiving. It was the home of crocodiles. And Sobek took on this form.  

Sobek went on to become associated not just with the Nile’s fertility but with its strength and its protection. In some areas, he was even linked to the pharaoh. He represented power and military might.

Sobek was especially worshipped in places like Crocodilopolis. There crocodiles were seen as sacred. They were even adorned. It must have been a complex relationship.

Over time, Sobek became connected with creation myths and even linked to other gods. This shows us that like many of the other gods he continued to evolve. But his core identity remained the same. He was still tied to the Nile and still embodied both life and danger. That dual nature makes him very interesting. It perfectly illustrates the idea that as in life, not everything  is easily defined as good or bad.

Do you think that worshipping a god like Sobek helped people to feel more in control of the dangers around them?

 

Elsie Seetoo’s Extraordinary Journey Through War and Service

Elsie Seetoo’s Extraordinary Journey Through War and Service

I have been learning about some of the remarkable people who served during the wars, and today I want to share a little about Elsie Chin Yuen Seetoo.

She was born on the 14th of September 1918 in Stockton, California. His parents were Chinese immigrants. During the Great Depression, her family returned to Guangdong in China, where she continued her education. She began her nurses training in Hong Kong in 1938.

Everything changed in December 1941 with the outbreak of World War II in the Pacific. As Hong Kong came under attack, she worked caring for the wounded and qualifying as a nurse in the midst of all chaos. When the city fell, she made her escape. She disguised herself and travelling over 700 miles to reach Free China.

She then joined the Chinese Red Cross, working in hospitals and training medical staff, before eventually enlisting in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in 1944. Becoming the first Chinese-American to serve in the Corps. She worked all across China and then in the United States until 1946.

She married Joseph Yuen in 1946, and they had four children, and then later married Ben Seetoo after she had been widowed.

After the war, she continued her work in medicine and her education, using her abilities as a translator and writer to bridge the gap between cultures. Her service was recognised with the Congressional Gold Medal in 2020.