Unsung Heroes- Sister Margaret Kerr MBE

Margaret, was born in Bellingham, Northumberland, in February 1925, but lived much of her life north of the border and considered herself a proud Borderer. Her father, the Reverend Robert Kerr, was minister at Longformacus in Berwickshire and later at Kelso North and Smailholm.

Margaret decided on a nursing career and volunteered as a Red Cross VAD attached to the Royal Navy in Caithness. She recalled VE Day in a ward full of cheering sailors. By 1950, Margaret was training at Chalmers Hospital in Edinburgh. She became a ward sister in the City Hospital where, during the 1970s, a serious hepatitis outbreak occurred. In his book, Dr James Gray, a consultant at the hospital, wrote: “Miss Margaret Kerr was in charge of Ward 16A where most of the patients with hepatitis were nursed. She bravely led a devoted team of nurses who coped in inadequate accommodation with this distressing and politically-sensitive outbreak. In 1973 Sister Kerr was justly recognised for her services during this difficult time by being awarded the MBE.”

Margaret bequeathed money to be invested in a palliative care unit within the Scottish Borders and along with other donations and fundraising this was realised on 6 Jan 2013 with the opening of the Margaret Kerr Unit at the Borders General Hospital.

Margaret never sought the limelight; she is the embodiment of our unsung heroes who quietly strive to make people’s lives better. Just like the gritters out in atrocious weather to ensure our communities stay connected, the bin men, the postal service and delivery drivers, our transport and shop workers, the 999 services. The teachers who lay down the building blocks of lifelong learning for our young folk. Al the volunteers freely giving time and enthusiasm to a multitude of worthy causes, fundraisers be it £1 or £1000’s. Our community carers, a compassionate team dedicated to helping others.