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The Royal London Hospital League of Nurses adopted the Nurses Training School Badge as its emblem when mergers led to a re-design.
History In 1928 Sir William Paulin was the Honorary Treasurer of The London Hospital. His daughter Miss Irene Paulin, a member of the Nursing Committee, approached the badge making firm of Pinches. She was advised to contact the College of Arms as at the time the hospital did not possess an emblem, arms or a device. Sir William offered to fund the cost of the hospital applying for a Coat of Arms. The red and white colours were based on the Coat of Arms of the City of London. Part of the hospital was built on land belonging to the City and leased to the hospital until the year 2066. The three white quilled feathers represent the Three Feathers Tavern in Cheapside where the hospital came into being in 1740 when John Harrison, a surgeon, and six other men decided to start the Infirmary. The centre has LH for London Hospital, surrounded by the latin motto HUMANI NIHIL A ME ALIENUM PUTO. The wreath of laurel leaves may have been chosen to as an emblem of victory. The full motto was chosen for the hospital by the famous London Hospital surgeon, Sir William Blizard. The first two words "Homo Sum" were dropped when the College of Arms granted the coat of arms in 1928. The exact translation and its origin remain the subject of debate. It is usually translated as "I am a man [hence] nothing of human kind is alien to me". The words appear in a comedy by Terence (195-159 B.C.) The phrase has also been attributed to Menander. Initially the badge was for League members only. The first badge was presented to Queen Mary who was then the President of The London Hospital. She always wore it when visiting the hospital. In 1933 the Matron, Miss Littleboy referred to the badge in her letter in the League Review number 2, as being criticised for its size and weight. It was made smaller and the cost was reduced. By the 3rd Annual Meeting (in July 1934) 115 had been ordered. When Miss Clare Alexander became Matron in 1941 she asked the House Committee that each nurse who became State Registered and received The London Hospital Certificate should be presented with the badge. This request was granted and the badge became the recognised emblem of the London Hopital Training School. In 1951 when she married Sir John Mann, Chairman, the hospital staff presented her with a small replica of the badge in the form of a brooch, in white gold, rubies and diamonds. The badge was modified in 1990 when the School of Nursing merged with Newham School of Nursing to create the Princess Alexandra and Newham College of Nursing and Midwifery. It continued in use until 1993 when St Bartholomew School of Nursing joined to create the St Bartholomew and Princess Alexandra and Newham Schollo of Nursing and Midwifery when a new badge was designed. In 1995 it became part of the St Bartholomew School of Nursing and Midwifery of City University. The Princess Alexandra School of Nursing building had a very large copy of the original badge on the outside of the Lecture Theatre. This was put into store when the name was changed to St Bartholomew School of Nursing and Midwifery. The badge reverted to The Royal London Hospital League of Nurses which continues to use it on stationery. This brief history is based on a paper compiled by Margaret E Job from the contributions of League members and others, with additional material. Anyone who looses her/his Training School badge or has it stolen can buy a replacement after a year has elapsed from first notification. Write to: Deputy Manager, Course and Student Services Department, St Bartholomew School of Nursing and Midwifery, 20 St Bartholomew Close, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7QN This page last updated by DEB on 17/03/04 |
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