Women in Medicine and Care

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Edith Renouf MBE

1864 - 1956

Founder of Le Platon home

Edith Renouf was born in London to Egyptologist and Old Elizabethan, Sir Peter Le Page Renouf.

Whilst holidaying in France as a child during the years of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), Edith witnessed many individuals returning from war wounded and suffering. This experience was to shape her later life as she went onto enrol at Newnham College Cambridge and later the London School of Medicine for Women to learn medicine and apothecary. Although, it is unknown whether Edith ever graduated as a doctor.

Upon returning to Guernsey, Edith inherited her family's home 'Le Platon' located in the Clifton area of St Peter Port. In 1914, Renouf established Le Platon Home- Patron Saint St. Petronella, a home for the incurably sick. Originally the home was intended for invalid females, but soon after was opened to all those in need.

In 1927 Renouf donated all her personal wealth to Le Platon and established a Trust Deed to ensure the Home would continue to be run by a dedicated Board of Directors. In 1956, Renouf was awarded an MBE for her contribution to those in need.

Today, the Le Platon remains the oldest residential home in Guernsey.

Amelia Le Pelley

First practising female doctor.

Born in England, Amelia Le Pelly moved to Guernsey with her family and began attending the Ladies' College during the 1880s. Amelia was a successful student at the school winning a prize for French language in 1882. Despite attitudes opposed to women working in the professional sphere, the Ladies' College celebrated women and their achievements. The stained-glass window of the old school featured the likes of Florence Nightingale and Mary Sommerville.

After graduating College Amelia enrolled at the London School of Medicine for Women. Amelia graduated in 1896 with a Bachelor's degree in Medicine - an occasion which was marked at her former school, Ladies College, with a half-day holiday. In 1899 Amelia returned to Guernsey and began practicing medicine. Whilst not formally licenced by the Royal Court, Amelia Le Pelley became the first practicing female doctor on the island.

Mary Sinclair.

First female doctor licensed by the Royal Court

In February 1900 Mary Sinclair was the first female doctor to be licenced by the Royal Court to practice medicine in Guernsey. Her husband was the Officer of Health Henry Bishop.

Mary Celine Bones MBE - Matron Bones

Matron of St Peter Port Hospital in Guernsey and a founder member of the RCN Guernsey branch.

Bones was born in Leeds and trained as a nurse in England at Dewsbury Hospital, Leeds general Infirmary and lastly St. James Hospital, Leeds.

Bones moved to Guernsey in 1946 and began work as a staff nurse at the Town Hospital. The hospital was in need of upgrades and modernisation. After later becoming Sister-in Charge of the Hospital, Bones set about implementing a programme of improvements to the site. Bones' dedication to the hospital and implementation of the improvements earned her the title of Director of Nursing Services. For her contributions to the Town Hospital, she was awarded the Winston Churchill Award in 1968. This allowed Bones to travel to North America and visit a number of hospitals. From her travels Bones extracted valuable ideas about healthcare and the nursing service. After returning to Guernsey Bones applied many of these new ideas in the Town Hospital.

In 1959 Matron Bones was awarded an MBE for her services to caring for the elderly. In 1984 she retired and the Town Hospital closed its doors.

The legendary Matron Bones is remembered for her devotion to the care of the elderly in Guernsey.