The following is from ' Report Stafford House Committee ; Zulu War 1879 ' Re Mary Armfield , Memorandum from Senior Medical Officer , Base Hospitals .
Durban July 25th , 1879
Sister Mary Armfield , of the Stafford House Committee, has been Nursing the sick at the Base Hospital for the past Fortnight ( on another report she started the 14th July) , and I have great pleasure in stating that she has given entire satisfaction to myself and the Medical Officers of the sick , and that she has been most attentive to those placed under her care .
C.S.Wills , Surgeon Major , A.M.D . Senior Medical Officer , Base Hospitals .
Memorandum from Senior Medical Officer , Fort Napier .
Pietermaritzburg ; Oct 21 1879
As the connection of the Stafford House Sisters with this Base Hospital has now come to a close , it affords me very great pleasure to state how fully I recognise the very valuable assistance Sister Mary has rendered to the sick and wounded . She has been most attentive and indefatigable in her exertions , and I am quite sure she will be greatly missed by everyone connected with the hospital . For myself , I can say that I very much regret her departure , and I trust her stay in Pietermaritzburg has been as pleasant to her as it has certainly been to myself and those in the hospital I have had charge of . I shall ever retain a very pleasant remembrance of her stay here , and she has my best wishes on her voyage to England .
H.Lamb Surgeon Major A.M.D.
Letter From Deputy Surgeon - General A.M.D. Pietermaritzburg ; Oct 21 , 1879
Dear Sister Mary ( Mrs Armfield ) - As I hear you leave the Base Hospital , Fort Napier , tomorrow , to accompany Surgeon - General Ross to England , I hasten to thank you for your kind and able attendance on the sick and wounded in that hospital . I have heard nothing but expressions of gratitude from the officers and men for your uniform attention to their wants .Latterly, owing to the sudden withdrawal of one of the sisters , and the large augmentation of the sick and wounded , raising the number to 169 , your good work has been very heavy , and I am glad to think you are about to enjoy the relaxation you have so well earned . Wishing you a pleasant voyage , I am ,
Yours very Sincerely
James. S. Holloway
Deputy Surgeon General
90th