Fitzrovia in City of Westminster in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Sister Dorothy Louise Thomas GC
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 26, 2026
1. Sister Dorothy Louise Thomas GC Marker
Sister Dorothy Louise Thomas GC
1905-1989
Nursing sister awarded the George Cross for her brave actions following a main theatre explosion at the Middlesex Hospital on 26 January 1934
Erected 2012 by City of Westminster.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • Science & Medicine • Women. In addition, it is included in the City of Westminster Green Plaques, and the Victoria Cross and George Cross Recipients series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is January 26, 1934.
Location. 51° 31.198′ N, 0° 8.345′ W. Marker is in City of Westminster, England, in Greater London. It is in Fitzrovia. It is on Foley Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 Foley Street, City of Westminster, England W1W, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Olaudah Equiano (within shouting distance of this marker); Discovery of Aldosterone (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Fuseli (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Fitzroy Place (about 90 meters away); Charles Dickens (about 120 meters away); a different marker also named Olaudah Equiano (about 150 meters away); Sir Robert Smirke (about 150 meters away); Joseph Lister (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in City of Westminster.
Also see . . . Dorothy Louise Thomas (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
Dorothy Louise Thomas GC (11 August 1905 22 November 1989) was a British nurse awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM) for her actions preventing a major incident at the Middlesex Hospital in January 1934.(Submitted on April 26, 2026.)
On 26 January 1934, work commenced as normal and just prior to the first operation of the day the porter was preparing the oxygen cylinders in the anaesthetic room when an explosion occurred and the oxygen from the cylinder ignited sending flames up to 15 feet(4.6 m) into the main operating theatre. The theatre was immediately evacuated due to the risk of the cylinder exploding but Thomas remained behind and went into the anaesthetic room to remove the bottle of ether stored there. She then attempted to close the valve on the oxygen cylinder and found it would close so she did so thus preventing any explosion.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 26, 20262. Sister Dorothy Louise Thomas GC Marker - wide view
Later investigation concluded that the likely cause of the explosion was piece of grit in the valve which as the porter tightened the valve caused a spark.
Despite what could have been a disaster, normal working was resumed within minutes of Sister Thomas's actions.
Additional keywords. plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 26, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
