This is the sad story of Edna Blows, Three Counties Hospital Nurse, who died at the hospital at the age of 20. The story is courtesy of Heather Thompson and Liam Cornes.

Edna was born on 17th August 1911 at 13 Cromwell Terrace, Queens Road, Royston. She lived there with her parents, Bertie and Florence Blows, until the birth of the the family's third child, Ronald Bertie Blows, in 1918. The Family then moved to Arlesey, where Bertie worked at the gasworks (they lived on site), and then at Waterloo Farm (they also lived on site). The family then moved to 2 House Lane, Arlesey. After a while the family moved again (for the last time) just down the road, to 48 House Lane. 

In 1927 the young Edna met and started dating a young man from Arlesey. The relationship flourished and as love blossomed Edna found herself pregnant. Unfortunately, Edna’s partner did not want to know her or the unborn child. He refused to believe that the child was his.

As a young girl 'in the family way' she was ostracised by the village. Times and attitudes were very different in the 1920's - no council houses or state benefits then, shame and disgrace was poured upon poor Edna. This was very unfair, as the lad who made her pregnant was left to freely go about his daily business without any remorse or guilt.

On September 28th 1928 baby Rita was born. Edna's ex-partner still refused to have anything to do with her, or the new born little girl. Nine months after baby Rita was born, Edna entered employment at Three Counties Hospital. She started work on 28th July 1929, aged 17. She was employed as a 2nd in charge nurse, on a salary of 7 pounds, 8 shillings and 6 pence per every four weeks. 

Life for the young Edna and her parents was very hard. Edna’s parents Florence and Bertie were bringing up young Rita. Florence would look after the baby while Edna and Bertie worked during the day. Edna worked hard and long hours in a very stressful and demanding job, unfortunately life started to take its toll. Edna may have been suffering from what we now call post natal depression. She was suffering the pain of lost love and rejection - she started to lose weight and her condition continued to get worse.

Maybe these days we would put her condition down to anorexia, bought on by feelings of depression and low self esteem. Edna was eventually taken into Three Counties Hospital as a patient, We can assume she was given the best care by her friends and colleagues but they could not bring her out of the despair she was suffering. Very sadly Edna Florence Blows died at Three Counties Hospital on 12th May 1932 at the age of 20. Her mother was with her when she died.

She was buried at St Peters Church in Arlesey. Her death certificate states that Edna died from malnutrition, pneumonia and cardiac failure. Her family believe to this day that she really died of a lost love, and a broken heart.

The young Rita continued to be bought up by her grandparents Bertie and Florence. She grew up and got married, had a family of her own and remined in the Hertfordshire area.

Baby Edna Blows (left) and sister Gladys (right). Gladys also became a Nurse at the Three Counties Hospital. This photo was taken at 13 Cromwell Terrace, Queens Road, Royston, Hertfordshire, circa 1912:

Edna on the right this time, and Gladys on the left:

The two sisters now with children of their own. Gladys with Rita (right) and Edna with Barbara (left). This photo was taken at 48 House Lane, Arlesey, circa 1930:

The following photos were taken at Three Counties Hospital circa 1929.

Nurse Edna Blows (far right) poses with a group of her nursing friends:

A  group of patients pose for Edna’s camera:

A very grand view taken by Edna inside the Three Counties Hospital, circa 1929. This is a very important photograph, possibly the only picture of the inside of the hospital from that time:

How Nurse Edna’s death was reported in the local paper:

Edna’s death certificate:

Nurse Gladys continued to work at the Hospital for many years. She died in 1991:

Rita in November 2014 celebrating her 86th birthday. She is seen here with her granddaughter, Heather Thompson: