Ivy Lucy May Sparrow

Born 1905, died 2005
Junior Nurse at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse / Gressenhall Public Assistance Institution, 1923-1932
Researched by Elizabeth Steele

Ivy Lucy May Sparrow was born in East Dereham, Norfolk, on 22 June 1905. The 1911 census records her living at the family home 2 Sunnydale, Commercial Road, East Dereham, Norfolk. Also present is her father George Sparrow, a railway guard, her mother Rosina Ellen Sparrow; brothers Albert George aged 18, a shop assistant; Arthur Gerald Sparrow, aged 9; Henry Charles Sparrow, aged 4 and sisters; Violet M G Sparrow, aged 15, a dressmaker and Lily Rosina, aged 13, a day girl (domestic worker).

The family are still living at 2 Sunnydale, Commercial Road East Dereham on 1921 Census. Ivy is now 16 and is an apprentice dressmaker at H. H. Aldiss, Drapers, High Street, East Dereham. Also present is her father George, still a railway guard. Her mother Rosina, brothers, Albert now aged 28, a motor mechanic at Balding Bros, East Dereham; Arthur, aged 19, a driller at the East Dereham Foundry and Henry, aged 14.

Ivy was employed at the Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse Gressenhall in various positions, mostly temporary, covering nurse sickness for the period December 1923 until March 1931. During this time, the workhouse transitioned to a Public Assistance Institution. Initially in December 1923 she was appointed Junior Nurse in the place of Miss Locke at a salary of £30 per annum plus the usual allowances. Ivy resigned from her appointment on 28 September 1925. And on that same date was appointed as Assistant at the Childrens’ Home, East Dereham (‘Hollies’ Theatre Street, Dereham), at a salary of £30 per annum.

Ivy remained working at the Childrens Home until her resignation on 6 March 1926. Unfortunately, no record can be found as to where Ivy went following her resignation or if she continued nursing at this time.

She next appears in the minutes of the Guardians on 22 September 1930, some four years later, when she is engaged temporarily to cover the absence of Mrs Sydenham in consequence of illness. It is from 1930 until 1932 that Ivy was employed by the Guardians at Gressenhall in various temporary positions. Firstly, she was appointed as a temporary nurse in January 1931, and then again in April 1931, at a salary of 30 shillings per week together with board and lodging. She is still in temporary employment in  July and August 1931 and from 11 November 1931 to 2 December 1931, this time covering staff sickness. The final mention of Ivy in the minutes is on 11 April 1932, when it was reported that she had again been engaged temporarily with a renumeration of 30 shillings per week, this time to carry out the duties of Miss Irene Long who had been off duty since 18 March 1931 due to illness. No further mention is made after that date. Therefore, we have been unable to ascertain what Ivy did when she left Gressenhall, until she appears on the 1939 register.

In 1939, Ivy is recorded as being at Hill House, Forehoe and Henstead, Norfolk. She is employed at the home of Hugh Goodchild, a solicitor and his wife Beryl as a Children’s nurse. Also present is Olive M Harvey, House parlour, Julia Weeks, cook (paid).

Ivy married Horace Kingsley in January 1947 at Old Costessey, Norfolk. It appears that he passed away in June 1952. She marries again in July 1955 in Norwich, this time to Walstan W Carr. He died in February 1985.

Ivy, died in January 2005, a few months short of her one hundredth birthday.