Betsi Cadwaladr from Wales and across the world to Abney Park Cemetery

I am sure many of you have heard of Mary Seacole and Florence Nightingale. 

Well how about Betsi Cadwaladr born in 1789 she was a nurse in the Crimea war. Helping the troops on the front line and providing all levels of nursing care.

Betsi or Beti Davis as she was otherwise known travelled the world as a servant and companion to sea captains. She even witnessed the Battle of Waterloo when in France and saw the effects the war had on the men.

Whilst travelling the world and helping the crew onboard she became convinced that cleanliness was essential in treating the sick and wounded. 

On returning to Britain she trained as a nurse at Guys Hospital. Following her training, at the age of 65 she joined the military nursing service with the intention of working in the Crimea.

It is thought that she clashed with ‘Nightingale’ as they often saw different ways in doing things and came from different backgrounds entirely Florence was privileged and Betsi a working class lady. However towards the end of their service Nightingale warmed towards Betsi as she saw how many admired her level of care in which she provided.

Betsi returned to England after suffering with ill health herself. She then resided with her sister Bridget after 5 years from her return she wrote an autobiography. Autobiography of Elizabeth Davis, 1857. Republished as Betsy Cadwaladyr: A Balaclava Nurse

When she died in 1860 she was buried in Abney Park Cemetery in a paupers grave. It took more then a century for a memorial to be erected which was placed there in 2012.

In 2016, she was named as one of "the 50 greatest Welsh men and women of all time". In north Wales the Health board took her name to honour all her hard work and to keep her memory alive.