It was WB’s great good fortune that Margaret applied for the post of “Sick Bay Matron”. She had been Night Superintendent at Great Ormond St Hospital and Matron of Sheffield group of Children’s Hospitals and matron in Canada and Uganda, a true career nurse specialised in paediatrics.

She had been widowed and had returned to England to care for her elderly mother. The latter died just before Daphne Pike’s retirement so Margaret was at a loose end.

Margaret was very kind and extremely professional. No pupil could pull the wool over her eyes when trying to avoid a House Match or The Exmoor!

I had to spend sixteen nights in the Medical Centre with a virus and Margaret gave me as much care as I would have received in the North Devon District Hospital. I, and my family will never forget her great kindness.

Like me, many pupils have cause to be grateful to Margaret – a matron of “the old school”

She passed away peacefully  on 5^th August in the Bronte Residential Care Home, Ebford Nr Exeter well into her nineties.

Chris Ponder