Sister Dora's life celebrated

The life and work of Walsall's nursing heroine Sister Dora was celebrated with an annual service and parade in the town.

Mayor of Walsall Councillor Tom Ansell was among the dignitaries at the service at St Paul's at the Crossing Church, in Darwall Street, which was followed by a wreath laying at her statue in Civic Square yesterday. The service was led by Bishop of Wolverhampton the Rt Rev Clive Gregory.

Sister Dora was born Dorothy Wyndlow Pattison in Yorkshire on January 16, 1832.

A school mistress in her early career, she had a natural gift for nursing and it became her calling. Early in 1865 she was sent to Walsall to help at a small hospital which had just been established.

She was appointed to take charge of the Cottage Hospital in the town in 1868. Her devotion came to the fore when Walsall suffered a smallpox epidemic in 1869.

"The celebration was absolutely fabulous," Councillor Ansell said. Representatives from Manor Hospital, Walsall Hospice Appeal and council staff also attended.