VAD Nurse Sarah Ann Wiggin

VAD Nurse in the RMC died November 2nd 1918 Age 30

A 'LOST' memorial honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the First World War a century ago has been rediscovered in the Macclesfield Museums collection.

It was found during an audit of The Silk Museum stores. Museum bosses believe it was a safe storage place for the plaque when it was removed from its original location.

The cast brass memorial was commissioned by the Mill Street Mission, Macclesfield.

It lists the names of 16 local men, and unusually, at the top of the list, a woman: Sarah Ann Wiggin, a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) Nurse.

Originally from Brindley Ford, just outside Tunstall, she worked as a domestic servant from at least the age of 13.

She went on to work for Nathan and Harriett Storey of 54 West Bond Street, Macclesfield; they were preachers at the Mill Street Mission.

Sarah then volunteered to help with the war effort as a nurse, caring for sick and wounded soldiers at one of the many auxiliary hospitals set up across Britain. While working there she fell ill with pneumonia as a result of the Spanish flu epidemic and died on November 2, 1918.

The memorial will go on public display in The Silk Museum soon. A museum spokesman said: "The rediscovery of the memorial is a poignant reminder of the incredible contributions made by both men and women during the First World War."

 

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