Louisa Wilkinson


Dame Louisa Jane Wilkinson, was a British military nurse and nursing administrator who served as Matron-in-Chief of the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service from 1944 to 1948. She also founded Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps, and was also president of the Royal College of Nursing.

Early life

Wilkinson was born Louisa Lumsden in Sunderland, the daughter of merchant seaman James Lumsden and Louisa Lumsden. She was educated at Bede Collegiate School in Sunderland and Thornbeck Collegiate School in Darlington.

Nursing career

The 22-year-old Lumsden began her nursing training in 1911 at the Royal Infirmary in Sunderland. She had just finished her training when the First World War began in August 1914, and she promptly enlisted as a reserve in Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. On 20 December 1917 she married Captain Robert John Wilkinson of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at the Fulham register office, but her husband was killed in action barely six months later in France on 2 July 1918.
Wilkinson became a regular member of the QAIMNS, and saw service during both World Wars. She was appointed Matron in Chief from 1944–48, and after retirement was named Colonel Commandant.
Dame Louisa Wilkinson founded the QARANC Association in 1947. She died in 1968 in Crowborough of a coronary thrombosis.

Honours