Mary Seacole

Mary Seacole is, without a doubt one of the unsung heroines of British History. She was one of the two famous women who aided British troops in the Crimea. Her contemporary, Florence Nightingale has been lionised and is renowned and celebrated to this day. Mary Seacole however today remains largely forgotten.

Of Jamaican origin Mary learned her nursing skills from her mother who had kept a boarding house for invalid soldiers.

Mary heard of the collapse of the British nursing system in the Crimea and headed for London in 1845. She applied to the War Office to offer her services as a nurse, however she was turned down. She believed the reason to be colour prejudice. Not discouraged, she funded her own trip to the Crimea where she immediately set about tending to the sick and wounded.

She set up her own store where she sold medicines and supplies. She became a favourite with the troops. One soldier writes in his memoirs:

“She was a wonderful woman…. all the men swore by her, and in case of any malady , would seek her advise and use her herbal medicines, in preference to reporting themselves to their own doctors.

That she did effect some cure is beyond doubt, and her never failing presence amongst the wounded after a battle and assisting them made her beloved buy the rank and file of the whole army”

After the war she retained to England destitute and in ill health, the Times brought her condition to the attention of the public. A letter asked:

‘While the benevolent deeds of Florence Nightingale are being handed down for posterity …are the The grave of Mary Seacolehumble actions of Mrs.Seacole to be entirely forgotten?’

Related Links :
Mary Seacole Website>