Nurse Commandant Sybil Elizabeth Streeter

<p dir="ltr">Sybil Elizabeth Streeter was born on 29 March 1914, at 58 Canesdale Road, near Kingston (Gyppeswicke, Teddington/Hampton Wick - a sign {blue plaque?} from her house now on Simon Pugh's cottage)</p><p>Sybil joined British Red Cross when she was 23. She joined the Red Cross as a 'Guardian Assurance Volunteer', who responsibility was to raise funds by selling poppies during the Second World War.</p><p>She was unsure how to get involved in the more serious operations of the organisation at age 23. She was the only child in a 'Victorian' family, and thus inherited the family memorabilia.</p><p>She lived in Cheam, Surrey, until her death at the age of 93 years of age.</p><p>Sybil trained as a nurse, and did emergency duty at St. Hellier hospital. Eventually became employed - there is a record of the hours she worked.</p><p>She later became the first person to use a computer in a hospital. </p><p>Letters from a family friend also involved in war work giving details of the issues of war.</p><p>First Aid records show Canadians giving blood, and that Sybil helped in the organisation of blood donation. There is also a letter detailing her giving up her commitments/role as Commandant of Surrey in 1944. She likely gave up due to the horrors of war. </p><p>Sybil received personal letters of thanks/commendation for her work as Commandant - for instance, she was first on the scene when the Surrey town of Sutton was bombed.<br>She also baked cakes for her neighbours during the war to improve morale.</p><p>There are photos of Sybil in her service uniform.</p><p>She served in St Helliers, Bournemouth and Sutton General hospital.</p><p>[Some contentious details concerning an apparent dispute over her Last Will & Testament which should be omitted due to both possible sensitivity and lack of relevance to story of wartime service]</p><p>Sybil was directly related to Charlotte Saunders Cushman (famous lesbian actress).</p><p>She received the following service medals:<br>1942 British Red Cross for Merit<br>1942 British Red Cross proficiency in air raid precautions for training<br>1941 British Red Cross - First Aid British Red Cross (3 years service)<br>1941 Red Cross Nursing</p><p>Nuclear War notebook - on warfare<br>Subscription book<br>Childhood diaries</p><p>She visited Switzerland and kept a diary of her visit</p><p>1941 diaries<br>Poppies from wartime era</p><p>Sybil was very meticulous and kept everything & recorded everything. For instance, it is recorded that her mother was born in 1883.</p><p>Issues with military/medical ombudsman - blocked when trying to find out information from military/medical ombudsman.</p><p>In 1920s-30s her house was used by the BBC for filming - Jay Rayner & Margharite Patten.</p><p>She always had blackout blinds, even after the war.</p><p>Sybil died on 14 January 2008.</p>