Annie Florence Brown

Born 1880, died Unknown
Probationer Nurse/Assistant Nurse at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse 1898-1902

Researched by Heather Gooch

Annie’s father Philip Thomas Brown married Anna Maria Watling om 10th November 1879 in East Dereham, Norfolk, in the December quarter of 1879. Philip was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Anna was born in of Swanton Morley.

In the 1881 census, 7-month-old Annie is found to be living with her parents in the Elswick District of Newcastle. Her father is working as a general labourer. By 26 May 1881, the family had moved back to Norfolk, she was baptised Anna at Mattishall on this date.

Annie had 6 younger siblings, Arthur James born 1882, Herbert Philip Christopher born 1884, Ernest born 1885, Edith born 1887, Maud Elsdon born 1890 and Louis William born 1894. They were all born in Norfolk.  Maud died in Gressenhall shortly after her birth. In 1891, aged 11 Annie was living in Bromley, Kent with her Aunt Maria Elsdon (nee Watling) and her uncle William, a mariner of Wells, Norfolk, and her aunt Maria of Dereham, Norfolk.

Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse at Gressenhall report to the Local Government Board of the “appointment of a Probationer Nurse, Annie Florence Brown, East Dereham, 18 years, Companion for several years for an invalid relative at Ramsgate. Date to commence 22 September 1898 £8 per annum.” The invalid appears to be Maria, Annie’s Aunt. 

The minutes of the Board of Guardians show that Annie and another nurse were given an extra £1 for additional duties during the absence of a superintendent nurse. She was potentially promoted to Nurse as from the 21 November 1899 it was “resolved that the Salary of Nurse Brown be increased from £8 to £12 per annum such increase to commence from today’ again increasing on 19 Feb 1900 from £12 to £20”.

In the 1901 census, Annie is listed as living at The Workhouse Gressenhall as an Assistant Nurse. Her parents were living at Theatre Street, East Dereham, with four of their children, Arthur, Ernest, Edith Ann and Louis together with Philip’s parents John, aged 76, and Ann aged 78. Philip is a Surveyor of Highways.

On 6th January 1902 the Clerk laid before the Guardians a letter stating that “Miss A F Brown assistant nurse is resigning her office and asking for a testimonial. Resolved that the Clerk sign on behalf of Guardians a testimonial stating that Annie F Brown has been in the service of the Guardians, Probation Nurse, & assistant Nurse respectively for 3 years 3 months and during that time performed her duties to the entire satisfaction of the Guardians.” No reason for the resignation was given.

Annie’s brother, Arthur James enlisted in the 3rd Norfolk Regiment in September 1902. His enlistment papers show that he had been an Apprentice for 5 years at Hobbies Limited, Dereham. He died 3 October 1905 at The Blakan Mati Hospital, Singapore. Herbert Philip Christopher Brown was a boarder with the Baker family in Wisbech and he was a Clerk. Sister Edith was still living at home with her parents at East Dereham in 1911. She was a cashier at Hardware and Timber Merchants.

Interestingly, Annie was not the only family member to be employed in a workhouse. The 1911 Census for Ely Workhouse shows her brother Ernest, age 25 working as the Porter and assistant Master, having been a Railway Clerk at East Dereham in 1901. By 1921 Ernest is Master and his wife Harriet is Matron of the Workhouse at Ely. They have two children, Muriel aged 7 and Dorothy aged 3. However it has not been possible to ascertain where Annie went after leaving the Workhouse in 1902.