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Michael walker

Jun 20, 06 - 12:27 PM

Thora Silverthorne Welsh Nurse & International brigade

Thora Silverthorne was born on the 25th November 1910 the daughter of George Richard Silverthorne a coal hewer and Sarah Boyt the daughter of a Haulers from Bargoed. The family lived at 170 Alma Street, Abertilley.

Thora was one of eight Silverthorne children, Olive, Ivy, John (Shun), Betty, Roy and Beleta, Reg Thora being named after a popular song of the day

Her father worked at the Vivian and Six Bells pits and was an activist in the South Wales Miners Federation (Miners Union) and a founder member of the Abertillery Communist Party

Thora attended the Bleaneau Gwent Chapel Bapist Sunday School and was member of the Choir, which gave Thora a life long love of music.

Attended the Nantgylo Overflow School in a big old house at Hafod –Ey-ddol and passed her scholarship at 10 and half in order to attend Abertillery County School

Unlike her eldest sister Thora was not a fluent welsh speaker, but she maintain her distinctive soft welsh accent for the rest of her life. Along were brown bobbed hair and brown eyes.

Her childhood like so many in the South Wales valleys was clouded in poverty, however Thora was always quick to point to “richness of the working class life in Abertillery” and the working class solidaridity, describing her childhood as “very happy”

One of her memories was the feeding centre for the miners during the 1921 miners strike

However her childhood was turned upside down when her mother died suddenly throwing the family deeper into poverty

At 16 Thora joined the Abertillery Young Communist League and chaired many meeting at the Institute including those addressed by Arthur Horner the great communist miners leader “everyone talked politics in Abertillery” stated Thora

In 1935 Thora moved to Reading, where her Auntie lived in order to secure work and a new start, her first job was as a ticket office clerk at the new cinema ticket then she secured the post of nanny to the local labour reading member of Parliament Sutcliffe- Bartlett and while she joined the labour party kept up her sales of the daily worker to local railwaymen. Later still her father secured employment in Reading in the local gas works

Later in 1931 Thora had won a place as a probationary nurse at the prestigious john radcliffe hospital infirmary Oxford, where her sister Olive was already a senior nurse

While at oxford she rejoined the communist party under the leadership of Harry waterhouse and built up lasting friendship with leading communists such as historian Christopher Hill and Chris Thorneycroft

Thora was also in a team of medical and nursing staff from Oxford who tended to the health needs of the many Hunger marches (many from Wales) that passed through the City. Many she noted were in very poor health and in particular their feet.

After her qualification Thora moved to a sisters position at the Theatres at Hammersmith hospital London were she teamed up with Dr Charles Brook of the Socialist Medical Association. and his nursing wife Iris both active in the Labour Party.

In 1936 after a Fascist coup against the democratically left government in Spain the socialist medical Association through its efforts into the Spanish Medical aid Committee

Thora keen to help in the struggle to defend Europe from fascism volunteered to nurse in Spain, soon Thora found herself the democratically elected Matron of a 36 bedded British hospital a former primitive farm house in Granen nr Huesca, Aargon the conditions resembled that of World War 1, however with Thora’s drive and that of Dr Alexander Tudor Hart the hospital was turned around into a model of efficiency, many practices used in WW2 however the 14 hour shifts and stress took its total on Thoras health ca. Thora noted that many of her patients were German anti fascists from the Thaelmann Centuria and later British International Brigade casualties including her close friend Michael Livesay who died in her arms in june1937 of injuries he received on the a battlefield

The Nusuing and medical staff were integrated into the International Brigade and Thora was promoted to Sergeant in the international brigade

Thora returned to England and married Dr Kenneth Sinclair Loutit who had also served in Spain along with Thora and set up home in Great Ormand Street, he was elected as a “unity front” Councillor prior to the War in Holborn, London

Thora was still continuing to help raise money for Spain, often talking on the plight of Spain . Later she was on Victoria station to welcome the painter Pacaso from the train when he arrived in London.

Thora then secured a position of sub editor on a publication called Nursing Illustrated, however her despair at the pay and conditions of nurses forced her to help establish the first union for nurses, the National Association of Nurses in 1937, it successfully highlighted the plight of nurses much to the disapproval of the nursing hierarchy and the

Webmaster

Jul 27th, 2006 - 12:56 PM

Re: Thora Silverthorne Welsh Nurse & International brigade

This is a very interesting test indeed!!!

Unfortunately it ends abruptly as the forum only accepted as much of the text, could you possible finish the post adding what was left??? It would be much appreciated!

In the meantime we can see a picture of Thora in this link:
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wsilverthorne.htm

SALUD!

Michael Walker

Jul 27th, 2006 - 11:56 PM

Re: Thora Silverthorne Welsh Nurse & International brigade PART 2

Thora returned to England and married Dr Kenneth Sinclair Loutit who had also served in Spain along with Thora and set up home in Great Ormand Street, he was elected as a “unity front” Councillor prior to the War in Holborn, London

Thora was still continuing to help raise money for Spain, often talking on the plight of Spain . Later she was on Victoria station to welcome the painter Pacaso from the train when he arrived in London.

Thora then secured a position of sub editor on a publication called Nursing Illustrated, however her despair at the pay and conditions of nurses forced her to help establish the first union for nurses, the National Association of Nurses in 1937, it successfully highlighted the plight of nurses much to the disapproval of the nursing hierarchy and the Royal College of Nursing.(who were supporting pay cuts, because good pay brought the wrong kind of person into the nursing profession)

Thora was regular accused by hospital managers and the Royal college of Nursing of being paid by Moscow "Moscow Gold" or not even being a qualified nurse all of which were of course all lies

The National Association of Nurses grew and Thora became its General Secretary in due course this role was handed over to Nancy Blackburn (Zinkin) and in turn the Association was transferred to NUPE the National Union of Public Employees led by another Abertillery native Bryn Roberts, who Thora greatly admired

During the War Thora decamped to Radbridge, High Wycombe. Thora after the War became Assistant Secretary of the Socialist Medical Association and threw herself into the work of establishing the National Health Service, which was achieved on July 5th 1945, in the process Thora meeting Clem Attlee to discuss the SMA plans

In 1946 Thora married Nares Craig from Clitheroe, Lancashire a fellow communist party member engineer and architect (and a relative of Lord Craigavon)

Thora by now had became a full time union official for the Civil Service Clerical Association and on her retirement moved back to Wales to Llynoes, Powys in North Wales for 25 years, where Clive Jenkins and Frank Cousins were regular visitors, before returning to London a few years before her death.

Thora Silverthorne died on 17th January, 1999 and her service was held at Maryleboune cemetery 25th January

The Valley of Jarama, The Internationale, Cwm Rhondda and a recording played of the Welsh hymn “land of my father” by Paul Robeson were all part of the service. Thora's coffin draped by the International Brigade banner

Webmaster

Aug 7th, 2006 - 11:52 AM

Re: Thora Silverthorne Welsh Nurse & International brigade

Thank you very much for all this information, it is very interesting indeed!

Has it been publish before? When has it been written and by whom?

Sorry if I ask too many questions, but I find it very interesting

SALUD!

Alan Lloyd

Jul 3rd, 2007 - 4:28 PM

Re: Thora Silverthorne Welsh Nurse & International brigade

dear Michael,
I am researching the live sof IBers connected to hampshire. Michael Livesay was born in Portsmouth and I have had little luck in finding out about his life, and unable to find relatives etc.
Please can you tell me where the info about him and TS is located.
Fraternally Alan

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Michael walker Jun 20, 06 - 12:27 PM	Thora Silverthorne Welsh Nurse & International brigade Thora Silverthorne was born on the 25th November 1910 the daughter of George Richard Silverthorne a coal hewer and Sarah Boyt the daughter of a Haulers from Bargoed. The family lived at 170 Alma Street, Abertilley. Thora was one of eight Silverthorne children, Olive, Ivy, John (Shun), Betty, Roy and Beleta, Reg Thora being named after a popular song of the day Her father worked at the Vivian and Six Bells pits and was an activist in the South Wales Miners Federation (Miners Union) and a founder member of the Abertillery Communist Party Thora attended the Bleaneau Gwent Chapel Bapist Sunday School and was member of the Choir, which gave Thora a life long love of music. Attended the Nantgylo Overflow School in a big old house at Hafod –Ey-ddol and passed her scholarship at 10 and half in order to attend Abertillery County School Unlike her eldest sister Thora was not a fluent welsh speaker, but she maintain her distinctive soft welsh accent for the rest of her life. Along were brown bobbed hair and brown eyes. Her childhood like so many in the South Wales valleys was clouded in poverty, however Thora was always quick to point to “richness of the working class life in Abertillery” and the working class solidaridity, describing her childhood as “very happy” One of her memories was the feeding centre for the miners during the 1921 miners strike However her childhood was turned upside down when her mother died suddenly throwing the family deeper into poverty At 16 Thora joined the Abertillery Young Communist League and chaired many meeting at the Institute including those addressed by Arthur Horner the great communist miners leader “everyone talked politics in Abertillery” stated Thora In 1935 Thora moved to Reading, where her Auntie lived in order to secure work and a new start, her first job was as a ticket office clerk at the new cinema ticket then she secured the post of nanny to the local labour reading member of Parliament Sutcliffe- Bartlett and while she joined the labour party kept up her sales of the daily worker to local railwaymen. Later still her father secured employment in Reading in the local gas works Later in 1931 Thora had won a place as a probationary nurse at the prestigious john radcliffe hospital infirmary Oxford, where her sister Olive was already a senior nurse While at oxford she rejoined the communist party under the leadership of Harry waterhouse and built up lasting friendship with leading communists such as historian Christopher Hill and Chris Thorneycroft Thora was also in a team of medical and nursing staff from Oxford who tended to the health needs of the many Hunger marches (many from Wales) that passed through the City. Many she noted were in very poor health and in particular their feet. After her qualification Thora moved to a sisters position at the Theatres at Hammersmith hospital London were she teamed up with Dr Charles Brook of the Socialist Medical Association. and his nursing wife Iris both active in the Labour Party. In 1936 after a Fascist coup against the democratically left government in Spain the socialist medical Association through its efforts into the Spanish Medical aid Committee Thora keen to help in the struggle to defend Europe from fascism volunteered to nurse in Spain, soon Thora found herself the democratically elected Matron of a 36 bedded British hospital a former primitive farm house in Granen nr Huesca, Aargon the conditions resembled that of World War 1, however with Thora’s drive and that of Dr Alexander Tudor Hart the hospital was turned around into a model of efficiency, many practices used in WW2 however the 14 hour shifts and stress took its total on Thoras health ca. Thora noted that many of her patients were German anti fascists from the Thaelmann Centuria and later British International Brigade casualties including her close friend Michael Livesay who died in her arms in june1937 of injuries he received on the a battlefield The Nusuing and medical staff were integrated into the International Brigade and Thora was promoted to Sergeant in the international brigade Thora returned to England and married Dr Kenneth Sinclair Loutit who had also served in Spain along with Thora and set up home in Great Ormand Street, he was elected as a “unity front” Councillor prior to the War in Holborn, London Thora was still continuing to help raise money for Spain, often talking on the plight of Spain . Later she was on Victoria station to welcome the painter Pacaso from the train when he arrived in London. Thora then secured a position of sub editor on a publication called Nursing Illustrated, however her despair at the pay and conditions of nurses forced her to help establish the first union for nurses, the National Association of Nurses in 1937, it successfully highlighted the plight of nurses much to the disapproval of the nursing hierarchy and the ICQ: UNISON
Webmaster Jul 27th, 2006 - 12:56 PM	Re: Thora Silverthorne Welsh Nurse & International brigade This is a very interesting test indeed!!! Unfortunately it ends abruptly as the forum only accepted as much of the text, could you possible finish the post adding what was left??? It would be much appreciated! In the meantime we can see a picture of Thora in this link: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wsilverthorne.htm SALUD!
Michael Walker Jul 27th, 2006 - 11:56 PM	Re: Thora Silverthorne Welsh Nurse & International brigade PART 2 Thora returned to England and married Dr Kenneth Sinclair Loutit who had also served in Spain along with Thora and set up home in Great Ormand Street, he was elected as a “unity front” Councillor prior to the War in Holborn, London Thora was still continuing to help raise money for Spain, often talking on the plight of Spain . Later she was on Victoria station to welcome the painter Pacaso from the train when he arrived in London. Thora then secured a position of sub editor on a publication called Nursing Illustrated, however her despair at the pay and conditions of nurses forced her to help establish the first union for nurses, the National Association of Nurses in 1937, it successfully highlighted the plight of nurses much to the disapproval of the nursing hierarchy and the Royal College of Nursing.(who were supporting pay cuts, because good pay brought the wrong kind of person into the nursing profession) Thora was regular accused by hospital managers and the Royal college of Nursing of being paid by Moscow "Moscow Gold" or not even being a qualified nurse all of which were of course all lies The National Association of Nurses grew and Thora became its General Secretary in due course this role was handed over to Nancy Blackburn (Zinkin) and in turn the Association was transferred to NUPE the National Union of Public Employees led by another Abertillery native Bryn Roberts, who Thora greatly admired During the War Thora decamped to Radbridge, High Wycombe. Thora after the War became Assistant Secretary of the Socialist Medical Association and threw herself into the work of establishing the National Health Service, which was achieved on July 5th 1945, in the process Thora meeting Clem Attlee to discuss the SMA plans In 1946 Thora married Nares Craig from Clitheroe, Lancashire a fellow communist party member engineer and architect (and a relative of Lord Craigavon) Thora by now had became a full time union official for the Civil Service Clerical Association and on her retirement moved back to Wales to Llynoes, Powys in North Wales for 25 years, where Clive Jenkins and Frank Cousins were regular visitors, before returning to London a few years before her death. Thora Silverthorne died on 17th January, 1999 and her service was held at Maryleboune cemetery 25th January The Valley of Jarama, The Internationale, Cwm Rhondda and a recording played of the Welsh hymn “land of my father” by Paul Robeson were all part of the service. Thora's coffin draped by the International Brigade banner
Webmaster Aug 7th, 2006 - 11:52 AM	Re: Thora Silverthorne Welsh Nurse & International brigade Thank you very much for all this information, it is very interesting indeed! Has it been publish before? When has it been written and by whom? Sorry if I ask too many questions, but I find it very interesting SALUD!
Alan Lloyd Jul 3rd, 2007 - 4:28 PM	Re: Thora Silverthorne Welsh Nurse & International brigade dear Michael, I am researching the live sof IBers connected to hampshire. Michael Livesay was born in Portsmouth and I have had little luck in finding out about his life, and unable to find relatives etc. Please can you tell me where the info about him and TS is located. Fraternally Alan Email (Optional): alan.lloyd121@virgin.net ICQ: Southampton