Author Margaret Dowland
District Nurse
Janet was born in Norwich in 1900, daughter of Alan Blyth and Edith Blyth nee Moule. She had an older sister Mary. Neither of the girls married. In 1911 the family lived in Northrepps where her father was the rector. The girls had a governess and live-in servants. Janet qualified as a midwife in 1924 in London. She then worked for a time in West Kensington. With changes to the nursing register she was enrolled as a general nurse in 1944. Her father died in 1930 and in 1931 she is registered as working in Overstrand. By 1935 she is living and working in Southrepps. She and her mother lived in The White House Church Street. It was from here that she ran her clinics. Anyone could use her services but prior to the NHS this came at a cost, to get a reduced rate you could join the Nursing Association.
Nurse Blyth is fondly remembered by the older residents, though she is described as having been very stern. She would cycle around the village and was available to help at any time, even though she wasn’t on duty 24 hours a day. When nurse Blyth was unavailable nurse Fox from Roughton would deputise. Nurse Blyth also ran the choir with the practices being held at her home the White House. Mr Sanders was the choir master.
Edith Blyth died in 1944, and Janet in 1968 at The White House. The whole family is buried in Northrepps churchyard.
If you have memories of Nurse Blyth please contact us as we really want to record them.