WLOL fundraise for headstone to Laura Gailey

Gary Middleton MLA, pictured at the fundraising table quiz held by Mountjoy W.L.O.L. 29 in the Royal British Legion Club with, from left, Cynthia Armstrong, Worshipful Mistress, Lizzie Nicholl, Deputy Worshipful Mistress, and Valerie Moore, Secretary. INLS0916-143KM

During 2015 the Lodge dedicated a new bannerette depicting Nurse Laura Marion Gailey on one side of the bannerette.

In her work during the war Laura transferred to Fazakerely Hospital in Liverpool, where she worked, tending the wounded soldiers who were returning from the First World War’s battlefields.

Tragically, in the course of her work she contracted measles and died in 1917 from a fever.

It was in July last year that members from the Women’s Lodge organised a short religious service at her unmarked grave in Liverpool.

Their new project which they have launched is to raise enough money to purchase a headstone, which will be placed on the young nurse’s grave. Lodge members plan to have the headstone erected before March 29, 2017, which is the centenary of Laura Gailey’s death. The plan is to travel to Liverpool again to participate at the ceremony.

The event has been given the back and support of members of the Orange Institution in Liverpool who will assist with organising the memorial service.

Meanwhile, the recently organised quiz evening in Waterside RBL was a great success, with support from various groups throughout the city.

Lodge members have thanked all those who attended and contributed to the evening, and particularly to individuals who donated prizes for the raffle as well as the Belfry Country Inn, Best Western White Horse Hotel, Clooney Flowers and Friends of the Somme for their valued contributions.