Constance Hilda Howland

Constance Hilda Howland (Babs) was the second daughter of Elizabeth and James Neaves Howland who lived at Emerson House, Buckden Road, Brampton, Huntingdonshire. Her father was on the Parish Council, a Trustee of the Miller Charity and was also an Overseer for the relief of the poor.

During WW1 both the village rectory and The Towers at Buckden were both hospitals where the family helped with the sick and wounded.

Hilda Howland and her sister Dorothy both attended Huntingdon Grammar School. As soon as her final exams were over in 1916, at just aged 16 years Hilda volunteered to become a Red Cross nurse and joined the nursing team at Walden House (VAD) hospital in Huntingdon (53 High Street, Huntingdon). The hospital was treating the wounded and sick who were sent back from the trenches.

Walden House Hospital closed on 31st January 1919, after 3,900 men had passed through the hospital during the Great War, in addition to many hundreds of out-patients, often up to 50 per day.

Hilda worked long hours often strenuous work helping the wounded, being constantly exposed to the diseases, including TB brought back from the front by the troops. Shortly after the hospital closed Hilda became ill with TB. She lost her battle against TB and died on 22nd November 1921 aged 20 years.

The internment was in Brampton Cemetery.

Reference http://www.huntslhs.org.uk/?p=627