The bag was used by Nurse Emma Warburton (1863-1946), who provided assistance at the birth of a couples child, not only looking after the new mother but also the family and the house hold chores. Nurse Warburton lived in Bourke Street, Mentone. The contents of the bag were, five letters of recommendation, a sewing kit, a breast reliever, seven keys, Red Cross Emergency Service Badge and two notes re medication. Nurse Warburton was married to Joseph Warburton (1853-1947) who was a market gardener in the Shire of Moorabbin (City of Moorabbin).

The bag belonged to one of the pioneers of Moorabbin. and gives an insight into the birth of children and family life.

Brown leather Gladstone Bag and contents

nursing, midwife, emma warburton, cheltenham, moorabbin, city of moorabbin, mentone, child birth

Five hand written letters the earliest letter was dated 21 September 1905 and the latest the 12 December 1925.The letters were addressed to ‘whom it may concern’ or to Nurse Warburton. They were letters of recommendation written by grateful husbands or women who were very grateful for the assistance Nurse Warburton provided at the birth of their child, not only looking after the new mother but also the family and the house hold chores.

Hand written letters

nursing, midwife, emma warburton, cheltenham, moorabbin, city of moorabbin, mentone, child birth, breast feeding, medical equipment, breast pump, john botterill, david duncan alexander, augustus edward caines, mary gertrude naughton, john james lambert

This sewing kit was owned by Nurse Emma Warburton and was in her Gladstone Bag. A sewing kit made by Kirby Beard & Co. Ltd Kirby Beard Company was founded by William Cowther. He established this business in 1743. His son, Richard, succeeded his father and went into partnership with Robert Kirby. Mr Kirby was well connected & became the Sheriff of London in 1816. By 1820 two further partners George Beard and William Tovey joined the firm. By 1840 the firm was known as Kirby, Beard and Company. They were the longest established & most successful pin making concern in Gloucester.

Owned by Nurse Emma Warburton, one of the residents of the City of Moorabbin

Sewing Kit - sewing needles

Best Sewing needles - Kirby, Beard & Co. Ltd

nursing, midwife, emma warburton, cheltenham, moorabbin, city of moorabbin, mentone, child birth, sewing equipment

Prescription and medication notes that were inside the Gladstone bag that belonged to Nurse Emma Warburton. 1) a recipe and instructions for rheumatoid arthritis 2) medication for corns 3) a prescription from the Moorabbin Pharmacy, John Wilson, Cheltenham dated 22 October 1917.

Documents

nursing, midwife, emma warburton, cheltenham, moorabbin, city of moorabbin, mentone, child birth, rheumatoid arthritis, prescription, moorabbin pharmacy, silk corn cure