Women in BSC Information
GPS Accuracy (Feet): 3
Dora Evelyn Breed was a Nurse at the City Infectious Diseases Hospital in Seacroft on the 2 April 1911 Census, just before she died on 21st April 1911 of diptheria, age 22. She is buried in a family grave, with her mother Clara (Clara is not mentioned on the headstone) and her brother 2nd Lieut. J.B. Breed killed in action 31 July 1917. Her father is also buried in the same plot.
Her father Councillor John Bennington Breed was an Arts & Banner Manufacturer at Providence Street Mills, Leeds. They lived in Lidgett House, Garforth which is still standing today.
Dora was born in April 1889 in Garforth, her parents were John Bennington Breed (Snr), born Norfolk and Clara Devey, born Bradford. John and Clara had twelve children, eleven were still living in 1911. Dora never married.
See newspaper article below.
The Skyrack Express, April 28th, 1911
Dora E. Breed, the funeral of Miss Dora E. Breed, daughter of Councillor J.B. And Mrs Breed of Lidget House, Garforth whose death under tragic circumstances at Seacroft Hospital was reported in our last issue, took place on Friday afternoon amid many manifestations of sorrow. …
Subsequently the remains were conveyed by road to Leeds for interment at Burmantofts Cemetery and at Garforth the blinds on the shop and house windows were drawn as the cortege passed. At the cemetery, where a number of the hospital medical and nursing staffs attended, the service was conducted by the Rev. Messrs Thistlethwaite, Wilson and Osborne. Beautiful wreaths from the following were laid upon the grave. (then list of given of wreaths) Memorial service impressively conducted by the Rev JP. Osborne at the Primitive Methodist Chapel and there was a very large congregation. Mr & Mrs Breed received scores of letters of sympathy and one from the Town Clerk of Leeds (Mr Robert E. Fox) reads as follows:-
“I am desired by the Chairman of the Hospital Sub-Committee (Councillor Wainman) to inform you that the Committee deeply deplore the death of your daughter, Nurse Dora E. Breed, and the unfortunate circumstances under which the same occurred (DIPTHERIA). I am at the same time to express the Committee's sympathy with you and the other members of your family in the great bereavement which has so suddenly overtaken you. It may perhaps be of comfort to you to know that during the period of nearly four years your daughter was engaged at the City Infectious Diseases Hospital her duties were performed to the entire satisfaction of the Committee and that by her genial disposition and charming manner she gained the affection not only of her fellow nurses, but of the patients and others with whom she came in daily contact”.