Edith Smith (nurse)

Edith Smith OBE, ARRC (d. 1980) was a British nurse and matron for over thirty years of a central London teaching hospital, Westminster Hospital, and as such was prominent in the development of the nursing profession in the UK.

[1] Her name was included on the College of Nurses Ltd Register of nurses in 1917,[2] the precursor to that held by the General Nursing Council Edith Smith was appointed matron to Westminster Hospital London in 1915 and retired in 1947.

[3] She was notable for her leadership in the civil nursing service through the World War 1 and World War II, receiving in recognition the Royal Red Cross (second class) in 1918 [4] and Officer of the British Empire award in 1943.

[7] Smith, with other officials welcomed the Prince of Wales, later the Duke of Windsor to lay the foundation stone to the nurses' home,[3] and Queen Mary, mother of King George VI to open the new training school, named in her honour.

[12] Her retirement presentation event at the hospital was attended by King George VI and his consort Queen Elizabeth.