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Archive belonging to first world war nurse sells for £11,200

The diary, photographs and medals belonging to a first world war nurse have amazed auctioneers by selling for £11,200.
First world war diary amazes auctioneers
First world war diary amazes auctioneers
First world war diary sale amazes auctioneers

The diary, photographs and medals belonging to a first world war nurse have fetched £11,200 at auction.

The archive of Devon-trained matron Katy Beaufoy went under the hammer at Hansons in Derbyshire yesterday, valued at between £4,000 and £6,000.

A volunteer nurse in the Boer War, Ms Beaufoy again stepped forward to serve in the first world war.

Served in Gallipoli

She was posted to serve on board the Ionian during the infamous Gallipoli campaign, witnessing horrific injuries.

A diary entry on 24 May 1915 reads: ‘I had a ward of about 50 beds, such bad, bad wounds, frightful head ones, legs and feet blown off and arms wounded of all sorts ......Have some very bad cases, two shot through the lungs, pouring out pus. One amputee had his foot and part of his leg blown off.'

Believed drowned

Ms Beaufoy is believed to have drowned after her hospital ship Glenart Castle was torpedoed by a German submarine in February 1918.

Manager of Hansons Charles Hanson said: 'It has been a great delight to handle something so emotive and so moving, reflecting the duty felt towards those wounded while serving their country.’

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