Miss L.A. Joliffe  

She was the Matron of Alexandra House, including both a maternity home and the Royal United Services Orphan Home for Girls, located in Devonport. A formidable figure and trained nurse, she became deeply involved with issues such as the high mortality rate of babies in Plymouth and worked tirelessly to improve the education of mothers, to try to lower the rate. A noted temperance supporter, she was was associated also with the Red Cross, as well as working with the maternity and day care nursery services promoted by the Astors, as well as taking an interest in their other local charities, particularly the Virginia House settlement.