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The London Clinic in World War 2

Jean Decima Jacomb 1894 - 1988 First Matron of the London Clinic
Early Years

Jean Decima was born into an affluent family who lived in Ewell Surrey.

Training

Jean Decima trained as a nurse between 1916 - 1919 at St. Bartholemew's Hospital and subsequently trained as a midwife. During WWI she nursed wounded service personnel. She appears on the UK Nursing Register on 21st July 1922 and on the Midwives Roll on 10th January 1920.

Early Career

After training between 1920 and 1921 she worked in South Africa and India.

Appointments

1923 Sister St. Bartholemew's Hospital Matron's Office

1929 Assistant Home Sister St. Bartholemew's Hospital

1930 Assistant Matron Ancoats Hospital Near Manchester

1931 Assistant Matron Cambridge House Nursing Home

1932 - 1933 Sister in Charge St. Bartholemew's District Midwives

1933 Matron The Cancer Hospital (now the Royal Marsden Hospital) **see BJN Appts July 1933.

1938 - 1949  Matron at The London Clinic

Wartime Service

The London Clinic remained functional during WW2., with *******

The Clinic is also notable for association with SOE ********

A number of military personnel including General Eisenhower were wartime patients.

Jean Decima received the highest tributes from the Executive and Trustees of the London Clinic on retirement for her excellent leadership during challenging wartime conditions.

She was noted for her calm authority and ability to encourage staff,  caring  for staff welfare.

Retirement

Jean Decima retired in 1949 and as an ardent traveller spent her retirement travelling the world.

Death

Jean Decima was admitted to a Kensington Nursing Home and passed away on 13th June 1988.