Local historians, female students and medical professionals have worked to revive the name of Amelia Le Pelley.
The island’s 20th blue plaque was unveiled by Deputy Bailiff, Jessica Roland on Saturday afternoon at Queens Road Medical Practice.
The site used to be home to The Ladies’ College, where Amelia attended school in the 1880s.
Five current students at the college played a pivotal role in securing the plaque. Digging through the archives of their former history teacher, Bronwyn Henderson’s research – the Year 9 girls spent the last couple of years studying Amelia’s story, and raised funds for her memorial by selling home-baked blue plaque cakes, and hosting mufti days.
‘It’s wonderful that we can talk about her now with everyone – that they’ll know who she is because of what we’ve done,’ said 14-year-old Jeannie Little.
‘When you think how hard it was for a woman to be a doctor back then, it shows integrity and bravery – which are some of our school mottos. We feel very proud that she went to Ladies’ College, and excited that she’ll now be recognised and credited for what she’s done.’
Fellow project campaigner Lily Ward said their teacher Tom McGovern sparked the idea, and they all felt it was an important pursuit.
‘Even today there are still issues with women’s rights,’ she said.
‘The fact that she managed to go into a place of work that had no women recognition whatsoever, especially in Guernsey, and came out the other side as the first practising female doctor is so inspiring, and very impressive.’
Amelia was the first woman from the Channel Islands who went to study at the London School of Medicine for Women, graduating in 1896. She returned to Guernsey in 1899, when she became the local trailblazer.
Rob Jordan, practice manager for Queens Road Medical Practice, said records from 1901 described her as a ‘physician and surgeon’.
‘Women have helped shape medicine massively,’ he said. ‘But it’s only recently that Amelia’s contribution has been rediscovered and recognised. Today is about putting that right. For us as a working surgery, this moment feels especially significant.’
Amelia developed a successful career in Nottingham – where she was known as an ‘exceedingly popular’ doctor and a respected contributor to advancements in women’s health and anaesthesia.
Mrs Henderson, whose research inspired the plaque, flew back from New Zealand to attend the local unveiling.
‘I’m genuinely so thrilled,’ she said.
‘I was head of history at Ladies’ College for 19 years. I can absolutely remember when I first started searching for Amelia. It was winter 2021, and if you had looked up then who was the first female doctor, it would’ve said another doctor from about 1905. But I realised that a link didn’t quite work, so thought there must be a way to find the missing person. Because Amelia never married, and never had children, she didn’t have direct descendants to tell her story. It was lost. So to recover it is amazing.’
The Guernsey Blue Plaques scheme is administered by Guernsey Museums, recognising islanders who have made a significant contribution to the Bailiwick and beyond. Nominations are accepted throughout the year.
GHA development named Courtil Le Pelley
Guernsey’s first female doctor is enjoying further acknowledgement of her trend-setting career, having the new Guernsey Housing Association development at the Oberlands named Courtil Le Pelley.
The name reflects Amelia Le Pelley’s contribution to medical history and the close proximity of the development, which will feature 15 one-bedroom apartments for healthcare key workers, to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
‘Amelia Le Pelley was an important figure in Guernsey’s medical history, so Courtil Le Pelley is a fitting name for a development with such a clear connection to supporting Guernsey’s healthcare provision,’ said Lisa de Kooker, chief operating officer at the GHA.
Infinity Construction is delivering the development, with completion expected in late summer.
‘This has been a meaningful project to be part of, everyone involved understands why it matters,’ said managing director Paul Nobes.
‘These are not just apartments in a convenient location – they are homes that will support people working in essential roles at the hospital.’
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