Margaret Eliot was born in Castleton, Roxburghshire on 22nd May 1879, the daughter of William and Jane Eliot (nee Graham). William was an agricultural labourer.
Margaret trained from 1903 to 1907 at The Middlesex Hospital. Then from 1907 to 1908 at the District Hospital, Walsall, Staffs. In 1908 she was at the London Ophthalmic Hospital. Also in 1908 Margaret had district training at Metropolitan N. Association – recorded as “A careful and trustworthy nurse much interested in her patients and liked by them.”
Margaret was appointed as a Queen’s Nurse on 1st October 1908.
She became District Nurse in Stockton-on-Tees (14th October 1908 to 11th December 1913) and then at Willington.
Margaret died of heart failure on 27th November 1918 during the influenza outbreak.
The Auckland Chronicle 05/12/1918 reports:-Local Obituary
Considerable regret has been expressed in Willington, Oakenshaw and Sunnybrow at the death from influenza of Nurse Margaret Elliott of Willington and district Nursing Association. Owing to the military authorities having need of the services of one of the district nurses, Nurse Elliott had for some time sole charge of the work. She was a patient, most capable nurse and her many good qualities endeared her to the people amongst whom she laboured. Her death is a sad blow to the district and the officials of Willington Nursing Association particularly held her in high esteem. Nurse Elliott was 38 years of age. The body was taken by the 8.14 train from Willington on Friday to Newcastleton, Roxburghshire Scotland for internment.
Auckland Chronicle 20/02/1919 reports:-
The Late Nurse Elliott
There is a movement in influential circles in favour of providing a memorial to the late Nurse Elliott who contracted influenza and pneumonia during the discharge of her duties at the time of the recent epidemic. The matter is to be discussed at the annual meeting of Willington and District Nursing Association next Tuesday night.
Auckland Chronicle reports 13/03/1919 reports:-
Nurse Elliott Memorial Fund
Willington Nursing Association has decided that provided sufficient money be collected for the "Nurse Elliott Memorial Fund" it be invested and the interest thereon be devoted to helping to provide each year for the Association's nurses' holiday or convalescence in case of illness. The public are to be asked to contribute to this fund during the next few weeks.
Auckland Chronicle 15/05/1919 reports: -
Nurse Elliott Memorial Fund
A special meeting of the Willington Nursing Association was held last week to receive the report of the Hon. Secretary Mrs R.L. Leeks concerning the Nurse Elliott Memorial Fund. The public's response is far from being so good as have been expected for Mrs Weeks announced that only £66 11s had been subscribed. It was decided to invest the money in War Savings Certificates and that the interest be devoted to help the Association's nurses in case of illness or any other misfortune. The following gentlemen have been appointed trustees: - Mr Wallace, manager of the North Eastern Bank; and Mr Thomas Wilkinson of Brancepeth Colliery.
When St. Aidan's Presbyterian Church, Willington erected their War Memorial they included the name of Nurse M. Elliott (sic) on their memorial.
Margaret Elliott is remembered on W120.15
