CRICH PARISH

Photo courtesy Fred Sayles

Biography
Elsie was born at Fritchley in 1889, the daughter of William and Alice Sayles. In 1911 she was a nurse at Smedley’s Hydro at Matlock. In 1917 she joined the Red Cross for war work. August 1917 found her working at Salonika in the Military Hospital as part of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS), where she served until February 1919 before being transferred to Netley Military Hospital, Southampton. While in Salonika she met her nephew Percy Sayles who was with the Derbyshire Yeomanry. Percy is also on the Roll of Honour.

There is a Pathé News clip showing "ambulances" moving British soldiers in Salonika during WW1. View the clip (wait for download)

Red Cross Index Card

Courtesy Red Cross Archives

Medal Index Card
SAYLES Elsie Marina, VAD ; QAIMNS awarded Victory and British War Medals
Theatre of war 2(a) 17.8.17 – 1.2.19

Post war life:
Ship's manifest: On 16 December 1919 Elsie emigrated to the US aboard ss Adriatic sailing from Southampton.

Sayles Elsie Marina, 28, nurse, Ambergate, father Mr R Sayles of Sawmills Ambergate.

US Marriage Certificate: Elsie married James B Moore on 31 December 1923 in Lemhi County, Idaho. She was recoded as resident of Kelso in the State of Washington.

1930 US Census taken 8 April for Boise City, Idaho (1014, 10th Street) where she is residing with her husband's parents carl and Tritchen Moore; her husband James is not recorded –

Moore Elsie M, age 40, married at age 32, lives on a farm, English, immigrated 1919, naturalization na

1940 US Census taken 13 April for Boise City, Idaho (1411, Franklin Street)

Moore James B, age 64, born Idaho,
Moore Elsie M, age 50, born England, naturalization na, employment yes, lodging house