Guernsey’s first female doctor to be honoured with a Blue Plaque

Friday, 26 June 2026 15:00

There is no known photos of Amelia Le Pelley.

Guernsey's 20th Blue Plaque will honour the island's first female doctor, Dr Amelia Le Pelley.

The Guernsey Blue Plaque Scheme celebrates people who have made a significant contribution to the Bailiwick and beyond.

A new one will be unveiled tomorrow (27 June), to honour the island's first female doctor.

Amelia Le Pelley was born in 1869. After being educated at The Ladies' College, she studied at the London School of Medicine for Women - the first woman from the Channel Islands to do so - and graduated in 1896.

She returned to Guernsey in 1899 and practised medicine locally.

Her plaque will be unveiled by the Deputy Bailiff Jessica Roland at 1pm at Queen’s Road Medical Practice, formerly the site of The Ladies’ College.

The school nominated Amelia for the plaque, and current students have helped raise funds to support the installation through a cake sale and a mufti day.

Vice Principal Morag Herring says Amelia is an inspiration:

“Amelia Le Pelley’s story is an important part of both Guernsey’s history and The Ladies’ College’s own story.

"At a time when opportunities for women in medicine were incredibly limited, Amelia Le Pelley pursued a career that few women could.

"Her determination and ambition remain highly relevant to our students today."

Rob Jordan, from Queen’s Road Medical Practice, hopes it gets Amelia more recognition.

“We are delighted to have this Blue Plaque placed on our building, recognising a woman whose story deserves to be far better known.

"Records from 1901 describe her simply as a ‘physician and surgeon. Those words may sound simple, but they represent something remarkable.

"They mark her as one of the earliest women from this island to enter and practise in the medical profession.

"For many years, her story was not widely known, but this plaque is about putting that right.

"As a working surgery, the care we provide every day is part of a long and evolving story of medicine - one that Amelia Le Pelley herself helped to shape.

"This plaque is a permanent reminder of her life, her determination and her contribution.”