"Sister Janet ~ Heroine"
INDEX
Painting of Sister Janet 1854-1911 [Janet Helen Wells].. Copyright
Janet Helen Wells 1854-1911 Received the Royal Red Cross by Her Majesty Queen Victoria... and Awarded Imperial Order of the Red Cross of Russia,, by the Russian Government
Janet Helen Wells was born Mar qtr 1854 Kensington, London, Middlesex, one of 10 children born to her Parents Benjamin Wells and Elizabeth Robertson.. Janet's Father Bennjamin Wells was a renound Musician and Professor ~ Benjamin Wells A.R.A.M.. He was born on 1 June 1826 Holy Sepulchre, Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire.Later studied at The Royal Academy of Music, taught by Joseph Richardson, then later by John Clinton.. By 1856 Benjamin was the Private Flute Tutor to the Royal Consort, Prince Albert (who died in 1862).. As a young child, Janet Helen Wells was inspired by Florence Nightingale and wanted to start a vocation in Nursing.. ... When Janet was just 18 years old she was posted to Zululand to command a medical post. She earned the nickname Angel of Mercy
In 1879 her father wrote her a poem...
Poem written by Benjamin Wells A.R.A.M 1879 for his daughter Janet...
The Red Cross sister sails over the Main
On a mission of mercy, no greed of gain
Leaves Father and mother and dearest friends
To Succour the wounded they dyuing to tend.
Strong in her faith this sister so brave
Fears no danger wherever there's life to save
And when that's past hope she cheers their last breath
With the glorious prmise of life after death.
This Red Cross sister has powerful friends
Who vie with each other to further her ends
So when war and pestilence ravage the land
True Charity comes from the Stafford House Band
Benjamin Wells A.R.A.M 1879
In 1879
Sister Janet - Nurse & Heroine of the Anglo Zulu War ~
Janet was awarded Imperial Order of the Red Cross of Russia,, by the Russian Government for assisting the Russian army in the Balkans
On 11 Sept 1879
Janet attended the parade for the presentation by Sir Garnet Wolseley of Victoria Crosses to Major Bromhead and Pte. Jones of the 24th Regmt....Janet was the second ever the first being Florence Nightingale to be awarded the decoration of the Royal Red Cross
In 1880 she met Mr George King,, later they were to wed.
1881 census
Janet was at home with her parents at 99 St Stephen Ave, Hammersmith
Janet Wed George King on 6th May 1882 at St Stephen's Church, in the Parish of St Stephen, Shepherd's Bush, Hammersmith, Middx
They had 2 daughters, Elsie and Daisy...
George King, a London journalist London, become the distinguished editor of the Globe magazine and founder of Tatler.
By 1891 census
Janet with husband George King, a Newspaper Publisher of 42 Pandora St, St Johns Hampstead
By Dec qtr 1893 they had a daughter, Daisy Helen King born
West Ham
By 1901
Helen was living in Islington with Husband George and dau Daisy
In the Same Year Queen Victoria passed away and Janet King,, nee Wells was invited to attend the state funeral.
Janet King..nee Wells died at the family home on 6 June 1911 at Woodend, Furze Hill, Purley, Surrey..Janet died of cancer at the age 53 and Buried 10 Jun 1911 Brandon Hill Cemetery, Purley, Surrey.. Service held at St Marks Church, Purley
Janet Helen Wells, Awarded Royal Red Cross by Queen Victoria.the citation read "for special devotion & competency displayed in nursing duties with Her Majesty's troops".. She was the 2nd person to receive such an award, the first was Florence Nightingale! At this time the Royal Red Cross was regarded as the nursing equivalent of the military and naval Victoria Cross
Her medals are on display at the Tenterden and District Museum in Kent, England.
Other achievements Janet was appointed Superintendent of the hospital at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and was selected by the Stafford House Committee for service with Surgeon General Ross in the Zulu War.
More About Helen Wells husband George King
coming soon
George King,, Bn June qtr 1857 Seymar St, Camberwell, London, England,,, later to become Founder of Tatler Magasine & Editor or Globe Magazine
George King son [one of 4 children] born to William King and Naomi.. George's father was a master coach builder & employer
1871Census
George attended middle class public school Kempston, Bedfordshire, age 13
1891 Census
newspaper Publisher of 42 Pandora St, St Johns Hampstead with wife Janet nee Wells (Sister Wells) and children
1901 Census
Living Islington
Died 12 July 1933