The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-08
HAS NURSED MANY
 TITLED NVAL|DS Agnes Keyser Best Known
 Red Cross Worker FRIEND OF LATE KING Started Hospital in Grosvenor Gar dens Although She Was Without Experience-Is One of Most
 Capable Women in Britain
FRIEND OF LATE KING


 that notable institution in Grosvenor gar dens known as King Edward VII hospital for sick and wounded officers.
 It was or the advice and with the as- sistance of the late King that Miss Key ser started the hospital Miss Keyser was the daughter of gentleman who enjoyed the close friendship of the late King and the royal family generally. He died during the Boer war and bequeathed to his daughter s125,00o Miss Keyser was then only about 22 years of age, and was che of the most attractive and accom- pllshed girls in societx At the time of Ter fathers death it was reported that she was engaged to an officer in the Guards ther fighting in South Africa. Whether this report was true or not, the officer was killed in action and Miss Keyser shortly afterwards decided to re- tire from society and devote herself to the nursing profession.
 Her intention became known to Queen Alexandra and an invitation to Miss Key ser to come to afternoon tea at Bucking- ham palace followed. Queen Alexandra then informed her that King. Edward thought 1t would be a good idea 1T she
 
 officers in London; many officers were then in London invalided from South All rica, and there was a general complaint among them of the lack of such lnstl- tutions. Nursing homes there were, or course, in plenty, but the best of them were quite beyond officers Of small means. and none were liked by army men in general. King Edwards idea was to form a hospital exclusively for officers and free to all who could not afford to pay. Rich army men received in the institution would naturally be expected to make a payment towards It's expense and upkeep, but the amount was matter to be left to the generosity of the patient
 Objected at First
 Miss Keyser had several objections to offer to the royal suggestion. She was altogether too young and inexperienced to embark on such an enterprise to start with She was then only just 22 and her whole available capital amounted to about S125, ,00O, and that would scarcely be sufficient to start and keep the hospital going; finally, Miss Keyser doubted that such an enterprise. under her direction, could ever be a success as she had few friends and no relations among influen- tal military people.
 But all Miss Keyser's objections were overcome by the then king. She went into London hospital for six months train- lIE ana Wllllo llltlt lIc idhC ANifo e@-'~ Queen Alexandra chose a large house iu Grosvenor Gardens, where 40 patients could be accommodated.
 There are, by the way. several stories regarding the manner In which the un- dertaking was financed. There is no doubf at all that it was King Edwards original ] intention to finance the whole concern out of his own pocket and to appoint MISS Keyser as matron in charge; that this | H.. Ax nfa nc tainly sank a great deal of her own money in starting the institution and the house in Grosvenor Gardens and the whole of the hospital equipment is hers. At all events both the house and the equipment were purchased in her name, but it is probable that King Edward sup piled some of the money.
 Most Capable Woman Miss Keyser is undoubtedly in control | of the institution, but it is equally certain | that the late King and Queen Alexandra had something to say to the management | of the hospital and so have the present monarch and Queen Mary. But what ever arrangements in regard to the own. ership of the hospital may exist between Sister Agnes and the King, there Is no question at all that it owes its success to Miss Keyser It is no exaggeration' to say that Miss Keyser is one of the most | capable women in England. She pos sesses genius for organization, is a most tactful parsonage, and has a charm | ing and delightful personality. One of | her first patients Lord Kitchener | This was shortly after the Boer war when he had bad attack of influenza when in London. Lord Kitchener made | a bad patient, the nurses stood fearfully in awe of him. but Miss Keyser did not When the field marshal declared his in tention of getting up one day before his temperature was yet normal Miss Keysei l forbid him to do so.
 1T am not accustomed to be ordered mol l to do thing that intend to do, Miss Keyser," explained Lord Kitchener. q am not accustomed to allow peopl, here to do anything that I don't intenf I they shall do," replied Sister Agnes, anf | she is probably the only person who ha: I ever successfully defied the man who jus | now is lord and master of the Englisi l people, and is a greater power than Par 1 liament.
 A Kitchenerism"
 When Lord Kitchener left the hosrita | tho sentence he wrote in the visitors book was characteristic of him and great compliment to Miss Keyser. Thing l are well done here; I could not manag, | the place better myself'." t Prince Arthur of Connaught was an
 other patient of Miss Keyser's. Tn, prince was threatened with an attack O appendicitis and went into the hospita with view of having an operation per
 formed, but this was found to be un
 necessary. When the prince was in tn
 hospital the late King and Queen Alexan
 dra came to see him.
 Thank God, I have not to undergo thu
 operation,' he exclaimed, ''and will be ou
 of this in a couple of days Miss Kcyser
 who was in the room. turned at once t
 King Edward and said, 1T don't think. sir
 that the prince ought to thank God fo that. It's rather rude'
 Before the war broke out Miss Keyse
 had over 300 applications from well-to-d officers to reserve them a bed in her hos pital in case of need, but she refused a such applications One officer in the Six teenth Lancers offered to pay hr-S25( to reserve a bed for him. Miss Kcyse placed her hospital at the disposal of tn var office. by whom beds are requis toned, and she never knows who her pa tients are until they have arrived. The hospital a week after the engag. ment of Mons was full and Miss Keyse then rented another house in Grosveno Gardens. where accommodation can b had fer about another 50 officers On officer who left the hospital recent p1e esented Miss Keyser with checS fo $0Oo
 Miss Keyser places every officer unde her charge on their word of honor not { say one word concerning the war to tn
 nurses looking after them until they hay
 seen Lord Kitchener, wh ovisits the ho.
 pital about once a week.
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