Ms Elaine Humphrey (née Williams)
Jamaican-British Nurse and Trailblazer in Brighton’s Healthcare History
Early Life and Journey to Brighton
Born in 1938 into a farming family in Jamaica, Elaine Humphrey arrived in Brighton as a teenager after being accepted to train as a nurse at Brighton General Hospital. At the time, she knew little of the town, even mispronouncing it as “Bridgetown,” but she embraced the opportunity with courage and curiosity.
Her first impressions of Britain were marked by cultural surprises. On her train journey from the airport, she was startled to see a white man digging in the road, which challenged her expectations of social roles. Upon arrival, she asked a taxi driver to take her to “Brighton’s Hospital,” unaware that there were several in the city.
Reflecting on this chapter of her life, Elaine describes it as a bold step. She is not sure she would have let her own daughter take such a leap at that age.
Training and Challenges at Brighton General
At Brighton General, Elaine faced a strict professional hierarchy and demanding daily routines. Her room in the nurses’ home was small and cold, with a view only of nearby rooftops. Training involved more than medical skills. Nurses were expected to carry out cleaning tasks, maintain a precise appearance, and observe formal etiquette when speaking to senior staff.
She encountered both kindness and discrimination. Some patients and staff were warm and supportive, but there were also moments of racism. An elderly patient once refused her care, and a senior nurse insisted that black nurses should always remain on their feet.
Building Friendships and Finding Resilience
Despite these challenges, Elaine quickly adapted to life in Brighton. She formed close bonds with fellow trainees, many of whom offered her treats or lent her coats during the harsh winters. She recalls stepping into snow wearing only a summer dress, a testament to her determination and good humour.
Her first Christmas away from home was difficult. She often cried behind the hospital food trolley, overwhelmed by homesickness. Yet even then, she found comfort in festive ward traditions, with surgeons carving the turkey and patients and staff singing carols together. Decorations, however, disappeared the very next day.
A Social Life in a New City
Outside work, Elaine embraced Brighton’s vibrant social life. She enjoyed evenings on the Palace Pier, dancing at the Regent, and attending parties. Strict curfews at the nurses’ home meant that she and her friends sometimes had to sneak back late at night, risking the matron’s displeasure.
Her early experiences with British cuisine were memorable too. She once mistook Welsh rarebit for rabbit and found English food rather bland compared to the bold flavours of her Jamaican upbringing.
Legacy and Reflections
Elaine qualified as a nurse and worked at both Brighton General and Hove General Hospitals. Though her career later took her to other parts of England, her years in Brighton were formative. They opened doors and shaped her outlook on life.
Elaine reflects on her time in Brighton with warmth and pride. She remembers not only the hardships but also the friendships and small joys that defined her early years in Britain.
“Brighton was the place where my journey began. It wasn’t always easy, but it made me who I am.”
