Updated on VWMA
BICKFORD, Ellen Mary
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Sister
AANS Born 19 May 1875 at Daylesford, Vic. Daughter of Edmund Sorrel BICKFORD and Emma nee LOWE Sister of Gertrude SALTER Aged 42 years Enlisted 11 July 1917 Embarked 31 August 1917 per “Wiltshire” Served in Abbassia and Salonika Returned to Australia per “Port Sydney” 17 April 1919 Appointment terminated 27 June 1919 Died 05 July 1963 at Heidelberg, Vic. Resided Mont Park, Vic. |
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BICKNELL, Louisa Annie
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Staff Nurse
AANS 1st General Hospital Born 1879 at Elmo, Vic. Daughter of John BICKNELL and Eliza nee BROOKS Of 205 Longridge Street, Abbotsford, Vic. Enlisted 10 April 1915 Died of 25 June 1915 Buried Cairo War Memorial Cemetery B 306 Nurse Bicknell died in Egypt last month through having contracted septic poisoning in the left arm while attending Australian wounded soldiers at Helipolis. The deceased nurse for some years carried on a private hospital at Bairnsdale before volunteering for service at the Front. She had a bright and inspiring personality and was a most capable nurse and beloved by a large circle of friends. Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle Wedneday 21 July 1915 page 2 |
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BIGGS, Ethel Maud
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Sister
AANS Born 1891 in St. Kilda, Vic. Daughter of James Arthur BIGGS and Mary Ann nee MOORE Of Newcombe Street, Portarlington, Vic. Trained at Geelong Hospital 3 years Enlisted 26 May 1917 Aged 26 years Embarked June 1917 Served in Salonika and England Returned to Australia 10 February 1920 per 'Port Napier' Appointment terminated 05 April 1920 Married Henry Francis ELVINS who was a Doctor and a Medical Officer in the army (Captain) in 1920 in NSW Ethel died 03 December 1988 in Geelong, Vic. Aged 97 years Photograph courtesy of Lorraine Stokes |
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Mentioned in despatches
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 6 October 1919 Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Page 1467, position 28 Date of London Gazette: 5 June 1919 Location in London Gazette: Page 7228, position 2 |
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BIGNELL, Marion Theresa
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Sister
AANS Born 1885 at Belfast, Vic. Daughter of John James Rai BIGNELL and Marion nee HENDERSON Enlisted 11 January 1916 Embarked 26 December 1916 Discharged as Medically unfit 25 November 1918 She was married to a Major John B Reid. She died 24 November 1944 at Heidelberg House, Kew, Victoria. Resided 115 Baker's Road, Kew, Vic. Loved mother of Patience Buried Springvale Botanical Cemetery Pittosporum Wall 2AA Niche 345 Punch Thursday 17 February 1916 page 17 |
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MRS MARION REID
Mrs Marion Theresa Reid, wife of Major J. B. Reid, of Barker's rd, Kew, died in a Melbourne hospital on Friday. She was a returned nurse of the last war and served in India, Africa, and Egypt. Before her marriage she was Miss Bignell. After her marriage she spent 20 years in India, where her husband was attached to the Army. They were in New Guinea and Rabaul for two years, leaving shortly before the Japanese occupation.
The Argus Monday 27 November 1944 page 4
Mrs Marion Theresa Reid, wife of Major J. B. Reid, of Barker's rd, Kew, died in a Melbourne hospital on Friday. She was a returned nurse of the last war and served in India, Africa, and Egypt. Before her marriage she was Miss Bignell. After her marriage she spent 20 years in India, where her husband was attached to the Army. They were in New Guinea and Rabaul for two years, leaving shortly before the Japanese occupation.
The Argus Monday 27 November 1944 page 4
BINDLEY, Agnes Ann
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Staff Nurse
AANS Born 1889 at Armidale, NSW Daughter of William and Ellen BINDLEY nee PICKHAM Enlisted 26 June 1917 at Sydney, NSW Embarked 13 September 1917 Appointment terminated 28 September 1919 In 1929 she married Dr Ernest M Steel. She died 12 April 1966 at Croydon, NSW www.awm.gov.au J05668 |
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BIRD, Edith Violet
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Staff Nurse
AANS Born 15 August 1884 at Cairns, Qld. Daughter of Jesse Theodore Curtis BIRD and Eliza Annie nee SEYMOUR Enlisted 06 June 1917 Embarked 03 September 1917 Mentioned in despatches Appointment terminated 27 August 1919 Married Henry Westbrook DAVIS Died 30 July 1961 in Sydney, NSW Late of Fairlight, NSW Buried Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens East Terrace Area 3 Wall 10 |
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Mrs A W Thynne Nambour has received a cablegram from her sister. Sister Edith Bird one of the staff nurses from the Randwick Military Hospital announcing her safe arrival in Egypt.
The Brisbane Courier Wednesday 17 October 1917 page 8
The Brisbane Courier Wednesday 17 October 1917 page 8
BIRKBECK, Ada Loelia Frances
Born 17 November 1871 in Woollahra, New South Wales.
Daughter of George Henry Fisher and Frances Maria nee Sainsbury.
She was married to Andrew Jameson Ogilvie in 1896. Her husband drowned in Western Australia in 1906. She married Thomas Brougham Birkbeck in 1908 in Victoria. Her only child, Maxwell Ogilvie was a Lieutenant with 3rd Gordon Highlanders was killed in action 5 November 1917. Ada died 16 October 1948 in Monte Carlo, France.
Daughter of George Henry Fisher and Frances Maria nee Sainsbury.
She was married to Andrew Jameson Ogilvie in 1896. Her husband drowned in Western Australia in 1906. She married Thomas Brougham Birkbeck in 1908 in Victoria. Her only child, Maxwell Ogilvie was a Lieutenant with 3rd Gordon Highlanders was killed in action 5 November 1917. Ada died 16 October 1948 in Monte Carlo, France.
News comes from England of Mrs. Tom Birkbeck of Melbourne Mansions, Melbourne having been spending a holiday at Monte Carlo. Mrs. Birkbeck went to England to see her son, Max Ogilvie, who was at Harrow and enlisted. During the last three, years Mrs. Birkbeck has been doing strenuous war work nursing in a London hospital. Her son made the supreme sacrifice about two years ago. He was certainly one of Westralia's most promising and very charming sons.
Western Mail Thursday 31 July 1919 page 35
Western Mail Thursday 31 July 1919 page 35
BIRKIN, Emily
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Sister
AANS No 2 General Hosptial Born 1882 at Urana, NSW Daughter of William and Mary BIRKIN Of 'Fairview' Coonong Station, NSW Enlisted 03 November 1915 Embarked 11 November 1915 per 'Orsova' Arrived at Ghezireh Palace in November 1915 and sent to No 1 Aust. Stationary Hospital at Ismailia, on the Suez Canal in January 1916. Went to England on duty by the H.S. 'Letitia' and sent to the Napsbury Military Hospital in Middlesex on arrival in England. In January 1917 was sent to No. 2 Australian General Hospital in France. Sent to No 1 Australian Auxillary Hospital Harefield Park in November 1918. Then to No 1 Australian General Hospital in Sutton Veny, Wiltshire in January 1919. Returned to Australia per 'Orsova' 06 September 1919. In charge from Melbourne to Brisbane Appointment terminated 14 November 1919 Did not marry Died 18 August 1966 at St. Leonards, NSW Late of Fairview, Coonong Siding Buried Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens East Terrace Area 3 Wall 18 |
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Permalink: http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E02113
BIRKS, Dora Hannah
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Sister
AANS Born 16 December 1887 at Gilberton, SA Daughter of Walter Richard BIRKS and Jemima Scott nee CROOKS Of 7 Kensington Road, Norwood, SA Occupation prior to enlistment Nurse Enlisted 17 August 1916 at Keswick, SA Embarked 29 December 1916 Served in France Returned to Australia 12 September 1919 per 'Demosthenes' Appointment terminated 27 November 1919 Married Robert Everett WOODS Died 15 September 1987 Buried Victor Harbor General Cemetery |
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BIRKS, Katherine Emily (Catherine)
Staff Nurse/Masseuse
AANS
Born 17 May 1881 at New Glenelg, SA
Daughter of Walter Richard BIRKS and Jemima Scott nee CROOKS
Of 7 Kensington Road, Norwood, SA
Aged 37 years
Trained at Adelaide University and Adelaide Hospital
Appointed 01 November 1915
Did not proceed overseas
AANS
Born 17 May 1881 at New Glenelg, SA
Daughter of Walter Richard BIRKS and Jemima Scott nee CROOKS
Of 7 Kensington Road, Norwood, SA
Aged 37 years
Trained at Adelaide University and Adelaide Hospital
Appointed 01 November 1915
Did not proceed overseas
BIRT, Margaret Coombe
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Born Wentworth, NSW
Daughter of George Howard and Ellen BIRT Was a State School Teacher in South Australia Appointed to Hundred of Joanna, SA in 1886 Appointed to Peak Vale, SA in 1889 Appointed to Joyce South Provincial School, SA in 1890 Appointed to Raglan, SA in 1892 Trained at Perth Public Hospital Served in the Boer War Appointed to staff of Wynberg Military Hospital, South Africa In charge of Boer Prisoner of War Camp at St. Helena When the European war broke you she, too, was holidaying in England. Throughout the war she was Matron of the Red Cross Hospital at Huntingdon, England. Awarded Royal Red Cross Returned to Australia per 'Katoomba' embarked 08 August 1919 Died 06 May 1927 in Albany, WA |
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Death of Nurse Birt, R.R.C.
Sister Margaret Coombe Birt, who died at her residence in Serpentine-road on Friday last, was possessed of a distinguished record of war service. She served in the Boer War and enlisting in August, 1914, served all through the Great War as matron of the Red Cross hospital at Huntingdon, terminating her appointment in July 1919. The authorities awarded her the much coveted Royal Red Cross. Her interest in the men never waned and she played a prominent part in establishing the Avenue of Honour to the local fallen soldiers, which is set on Middleton-road. All sections of the community assembled on Sunday afternoon to pay respect to the departed Sister. The remains were accorded a Military funeral in recognition of the years of service rendered to the Empire. The chief mourners were Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Birt (Tambeilup). Mr. A. T. Birt (Tambellup) Mrs. A. E. Bradshaw, Mr. and Mrs. F. Bradshaw. Miss Jean Birt (Perth), and Mr. and Mrs, H. E. Bilney. Many beautiful floral tokens of sympathy were sent and messages came from all parts of the State.
Western Mail Thursday 12 May 1927 page 11
Sister Margaret Coombe Birt, who died at her residence in Serpentine-road on Friday last, was possessed of a distinguished record of war service. She served in the Boer War and enlisting in August, 1914, served all through the Great War as matron of the Red Cross hospital at Huntingdon, terminating her appointment in July 1919. The authorities awarded her the much coveted Royal Red Cross. Her interest in the men never waned and she played a prominent part in establishing the Avenue of Honour to the local fallen soldiers, which is set on Middleton-road. All sections of the community assembled on Sunday afternoon to pay respect to the departed Sister. The remains were accorded a Military funeral in recognition of the years of service rendered to the Empire. The chief mourners were Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Birt (Tambeilup). Mr. A. T. Birt (Tambellup) Mrs. A. E. Bradshaw, Mr. and Mrs. F. Bradshaw. Miss Jean Birt (Perth), and Mr. and Mrs, H. E. Bilney. Many beautiful floral tokens of sympathy were sent and messages came from all parts of the State.
Western Mail Thursday 12 May 1927 page 11
BIRT, Mary Trevennen
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Staff Nurse
AANS Born 10 October 1878 at Kercoonda South East, SA Daughter of Peter Howard BIRT and Sarah nee DENBY Of Lillimur, Vic Sister of Mrs H M Powell, Milo Farm Kaniva, Vic Aged 38 years Enlisted 05 February 1916 Duty at 13th AGH at Enoggera Queensland till 22 December 1916 Embarked 29 December 1916 per “Themistocles” Served in France with the 10th General Hospital, 12 General Hospital and 25th General Hospital Promoted to Sister 29 December 1918 Returned to Australia per “Marathon” 01 April 1919 on duty Appointment Terminated 19 July 1919 Sister Birt enlisted for active duty in WW2 at Chelmer AIF Convalescent Hospital Qualified teacher in Qld. Died 28 January 1945 in Brisbane, Qld. whilst on leave Cremated and interred at AIF Memorial Hall at Mount Thompson Crematorium, Brisbane |
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A War Nurse
Nurse Birt, writing to her mother, Mrs. P. H. Birt, Lillimur, says:— "How the time slips by when the days are full-we have been in France four months! I do dread the the sight of that cold weather. We are not having any really hot weather- it just warms up for a couple of days, and then, we have a beastly cold change. This week, on 11th July, we had great excitement. Queen Mary called on us when I say us, I mean the No. 1 Australian General Hospital, etc. All the Australians from here were invited over to see her. Of course, we all put on our clean caps, aprons, etc., just out of the bandbox style. All the sisters were lined up in two rows, and Queen Mary stepped out of her motor car on the tick of 11.30 a.m. (the time arranged for her arrival), and walked up between the sisters after shaking hands with the matrons and O.C. As Queen Mary went along (followed by half a dozen officers) she bowed as she went, and as she passed we bobbed. The Duke of Connaught was with her, and also the Prince of Wales. The latter looks just a dear little boy, is very small, but looks healthy. He was pleasant and natural, and wore the uniform of a staff captain. The queen was most beautifully gowned and hatted. Her hair is going grey, and is not now the lovely golden hair it was when she visited Australia. She went into two huts where the most acute cases were, and briefly spoke to the wounded men. Her manner appeared somewhat abrupt, but I suppose the poor woman is bored to death. She visited the sisters' quarters, and said they were beautiful, then walked back to her motor car and left while the soldiers cheered her and the little heir. The Prince stood up in the motor to see something-a pretty sister, the M.0. said and his stately mother pulled him down by the coat. Three of us one afternoon went out to the boys' camp. There we saw the whole unit again, and two of our friends accompanied us into town where we had dinner. 'They said it was just "bonza" to chat with someone they knew. Australians are like the Scotch-very clannish. They talk about our soldiers being undisciplined, but one thing I always feel proud of them for is they never forget to salute a sister, even if they don't know her. The English sisters think it just lovely, as the Tommies never salute them. We are told we are leaving here on the 16th. All Australian sisters are being gathered up and sent to Australian hospitals.
The Horsham Times Friday 28 September 1917 page 2
Nurse Birt, writing to her mother, Mrs. P. H. Birt, Lillimur, says:— "How the time slips by when the days are full-we have been in France four months! I do dread the the sight of that cold weather. We are not having any really hot weather- it just warms up for a couple of days, and then, we have a beastly cold change. This week, on 11th July, we had great excitement. Queen Mary called on us when I say us, I mean the No. 1 Australian General Hospital, etc. All the Australians from here were invited over to see her. Of course, we all put on our clean caps, aprons, etc., just out of the bandbox style. All the sisters were lined up in two rows, and Queen Mary stepped out of her motor car on the tick of 11.30 a.m. (the time arranged for her arrival), and walked up between the sisters after shaking hands with the matrons and O.C. As Queen Mary went along (followed by half a dozen officers) she bowed as she went, and as she passed we bobbed. The Duke of Connaught was with her, and also the Prince of Wales. The latter looks just a dear little boy, is very small, but looks healthy. He was pleasant and natural, and wore the uniform of a staff captain. The queen was most beautifully gowned and hatted. Her hair is going grey, and is not now the lovely golden hair it was when she visited Australia. She went into two huts where the most acute cases were, and briefly spoke to the wounded men. Her manner appeared somewhat abrupt, but I suppose the poor woman is bored to death. She visited the sisters' quarters, and said they were beautiful, then walked back to her motor car and left while the soldiers cheered her and the little heir. The Prince stood up in the motor to see something-a pretty sister, the M.0. said and his stately mother pulled him down by the coat. Three of us one afternoon went out to the boys' camp. There we saw the whole unit again, and two of our friends accompanied us into town where we had dinner. 'They said it was just "bonza" to chat with someone they knew. Australians are like the Scotch-very clannish. They talk about our soldiers being undisciplined, but one thing I always feel proud of them for is they never forget to salute a sister, even if they don't know her. The English sisters think it just lovely, as the Tommies never salute them. We are told we are leaving here on the 16th. All Australian sisters are being gathered up and sent to Australian hospitals.
The Horsham Times Friday 28 September 1917 page 2
BISHOP, Emily Elizabeth
Matron
AANS
Depot - Home Service - Kangaroo Point Military Hospital
Born 1868 in Qld.
Daughter of William Francis BISHOP and Emily nee NOYES
Trained Brisbane General Hospital
Died March 1949 in Melbourne, Victoria.
Cremated 28 March 1949 Springvale Botanical Cemetery and remains scattered within the cemetery
AANS
Depot - Home Service - Kangaroo Point Military Hospital
Born 1868 in Qld.
Daughter of William Francis BISHOP and Emily nee NOYES
Trained Brisbane General Hospital
Died March 1949 in Melbourne, Victoria.
Cremated 28 March 1949 Springvale Botanical Cemetery and remains scattered within the cemetery
Awarded Royal Red Cross (2nd Class)
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 25 July 1917
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Page 1544, position 20
Date of London Gazette: 23 February 1917
Location in London Gazette: Page 1949, position 2
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 25 July 1917
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Page 1544, position 20
Date of London Gazette: 23 February 1917
Location in London Gazette: Page 1949, position 2
Matron Bishop Dies In Melb.
Miss Elizabeth E. Bishop, who was an original member of the Australian Army Nursing Service of the 1st Military District (Queensland), has died in
Melbourne. The late Miss Bishop, who trained at the Brisbane General Hospital, had a very distinguished career. At the completion of her training she became a sister on the staff. Later she went to Melbourne to do private nursing.
As there was a shortage of nurses at the outbreak of the 1914-1918 war, she returned to Brisbane and rejoined the staff of the Brisbane Hospital. After a short period there she was appointed Principal Matron of the 1st Military District (Queensland), and matron of the Kangaroo Point Military Hospital.
For her war work she was awarded the decoration of an Associate of the Royal Red Cross. At the end of the war Miss Bishop went to live in Melbourne, and later visited England with her sister. Miss Mabel Bishop, by whom she is survived.
Brisbane Telegraph Wednesday 30 March 1949 page 17
Miss Elizabeth E. Bishop, who was an original member of the Australian Army Nursing Service of the 1st Military District (Queensland), has died in
Melbourne. The late Miss Bishop, who trained at the Brisbane General Hospital, had a very distinguished career. At the completion of her training she became a sister on the staff. Later she went to Melbourne to do private nursing.
As there was a shortage of nurses at the outbreak of the 1914-1918 war, she returned to Brisbane and rejoined the staff of the Brisbane Hospital. After a short period there she was appointed Principal Matron of the 1st Military District (Queensland), and matron of the Kangaroo Point Military Hospital.
For her war work she was awarded the decoration of an Associate of the Royal Red Cross. At the end of the war Miss Bishop went to live in Melbourne, and later visited England with her sister. Miss Mabel Bishop, by whom she is survived.
Brisbane Telegraph Wednesday 30 March 1949 page 17
Presentation of Decorations by the Governor-General at the Albert Square Recruiting Depot on August 7.
The Queenslander Saturday 17 August 1918 page 26
BISHOP, F
Nurse
AANS
Embarked 21 March 1919 per 'Kursk'
AANS
Embarked 21 March 1919 per 'Kursk'
BISHOP, Gladys Patricia
Staff Nurse
AANS
Born 1888 at Bellarine, Vic.
Daughter of George Nickells BISHOP and Annie Mary nee KELLY
Enlisted 19 August 1916
Embarked 26 December 1916
Discharged as Medically unfit 09 August 1918
Did not marry
Died 27 December 1976
Aged 89 years
Buried St. Kilda Cemetery Church of England Compartment A Grave 305
AANS
Born 1888 at Bellarine, Vic.
Daughter of George Nickells BISHOP and Annie Mary nee KELLY
Enlisted 19 August 1916
Embarked 26 December 1916
Discharged as Medically unfit 09 August 1918
Did not marry
Died 27 December 1976
Aged 89 years
Buried St. Kilda Cemetery Church of England Compartment A Grave 305
BISHOP, Lily Mary
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Sister
AANS Born 1880 at Wilcannia, NSW Daughter of Thomas and Sophia BISHOP Of "Wurley" Grey Street, Mt. Gambier, SA Occupation prior to enlistment Nurse Enlisted 14 September 1916 at Victoria Barracks, Queensland Embarked 16 September 1916 Served in Alexandria Returned to Australia 29 June 1919 per 'Soudan' Appointment terminated 21 February 1920 Did not marry Died 10 June 1927 at Mount Gambier, SA Aged 47 years Buried Mount Gambier Lake Terrace Cemetery |
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SISTER LILY MARY COX.
Sister Lily Mary Cox (nee Bishop), who died on 10th June, 1927, was the second daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Bishop and Mrs. Bishop, of "Wurley," Grey Street, Mount Gambier. Born in Wilcannia, on the Darling River, N.S.W., in 1880, she was brought up in the South-East of South Australia. She trained for a nurse in 1903 at the Children's Hospital, North Adelaide. When she finished her training she undertook private nursing for some time, and afterwards went to the Woman's Hospital, Melbourne, where she went through a course of training in mid-wifery. She returned to Mount Gambier, and started the Mount Gambier private hospital, which she carried on for some time. She gave up the hospital work, and returned to private nursing throughout the South-East. In 1913 she went to Sydney 'or private nursing, and in 1915 went to Queensland, and was private nursing there until 1916. Sister Cox then went to Rosemount Military Hospital, and joined the Queensland A.I.F. nursing staff. In September, 1916, she left Brisbane for Sydney to join the hospital ship Karoola, and on 16th September left Sydney for overseas. On the 26th of September , the boat arrived at Fremantle, and reached Bombay on 10th October. She arrived at Poona on the 29th October, and went on duty at the station hospitals. From there on the
13th November she went on duty at the barracks hospital. After being there for some time she returned to Australia by the s.s. Dunera, and was at home from 29th June to August 3rd. On August 9th, Sister Cox went to the base hospital for orders, and on 23rd August left Melbourne for Adelaide by train in charge of wounded soldiers.
Later, she left Adelaide for Melbourne, and then on to Sydney, and on 31st August left Sydney by H.M.T. Willshire for Suez, where the boat arrived on October 5th. On the same day she left for Alexandria, and went on duty at the 17th General Hospital. Later she was transferred from Alexandria to Salonika, where she arrived on April 19th by the s.s. Gorgar. Sister Cox went from there to many other important stations, and finally to England, where she received orders to return to Australia. As soon as she arrived n Australia she got her discharge from the military authorities, and returned to her profession in a private capacity. Three years ago she was married to Mr. J. J. Cox, of Melbourne, and she resided with her husband and mother until her death.
Border Watch Saturday 18 June 1927 page 3
Sister Lily Mary Cox (nee Bishop), who died on 10th June, 1927, was the second daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Bishop and Mrs. Bishop, of "Wurley," Grey Street, Mount Gambier. Born in Wilcannia, on the Darling River, N.S.W., in 1880, she was brought up in the South-East of South Australia. She trained for a nurse in 1903 at the Children's Hospital, North Adelaide. When she finished her training she undertook private nursing for some time, and afterwards went to the Woman's Hospital, Melbourne, where she went through a course of training in mid-wifery. She returned to Mount Gambier, and started the Mount Gambier private hospital, which she carried on for some time. She gave up the hospital work, and returned to private nursing throughout the South-East. In 1913 she went to Sydney 'or private nursing, and in 1915 went to Queensland, and was private nursing there until 1916. Sister Cox then went to Rosemount Military Hospital, and joined the Queensland A.I.F. nursing staff. In September, 1916, she left Brisbane for Sydney to join the hospital ship Karoola, and on 16th September left Sydney for overseas. On the 26th of September , the boat arrived at Fremantle, and reached Bombay on 10th October. She arrived at Poona on the 29th October, and went on duty at the station hospitals. From there on the
13th November she went on duty at the barracks hospital. After being there for some time she returned to Australia by the s.s. Dunera, and was at home from 29th June to August 3rd. On August 9th, Sister Cox went to the base hospital for orders, and on 23rd August left Melbourne for Adelaide by train in charge of wounded soldiers.
Later, she left Adelaide for Melbourne, and then on to Sydney, and on 31st August left Sydney by H.M.T. Willshire for Suez, where the boat arrived on October 5th. On the same day she left for Alexandria, and went on duty at the 17th General Hospital. Later she was transferred from Alexandria to Salonika, where she arrived on April 19th by the s.s. Gorgar. Sister Cox went from there to many other important stations, and finally to England, where she received orders to return to Australia. As soon as she arrived n Australia she got her discharge from the military authorities, and returned to her profession in a private capacity. Three years ago she was married to Mr. J. J. Cox, of Melbourne, and she resided with her husband and mother until her death.
Border Watch Saturday 18 June 1927 page 3
BISSET/BISSETT, Jane Isabell (Jean)
Nurse
AANS
No 3 Australian General Hospital
Born 1885 in Bendigo, Vic.
Daughter of George Simpson BISSET and Malvina nee SINCLAIR
Of Golden Square, Vic.
Aged 28 years
Trained at Bendigo Hospital
Enlisted 19 May 1915
Embarked 24 May 1915
Served in Egypt and France
Returned to Australia 07 May 1919 per 'Kildonian Castle'
Discharged as Medically unfit 29 June 1919
Did not marry
Died 27 March 1945
Cremated Springvale Botanical Cemetery and remains scattered
LETTER FROM SISTER BISSET.
THRILLING EXPERIENCES.
Close to Field of Battle. The following interesting letter has been received from Sister Bisset, daughter of Mr. G. S. Bisset of Golden-square :-- ..I am going to write you some of my very thrilling experiences. I can only start it now, and will continue it when I have a little time to spare, which is only seldom; but I will hope to get it finished and posted when I get a chance. I really hardly know how to start, except that I am beginning to think that my luck has turned at last, for 'I am sure the six of us are the envy of every other nurse in our party who knows where we are. But, I must start and tell you things methodically. I wrote to you that we were lying out from our island on a ship, waiting till our hospital was ready to receive us. Well, on Friday we got word to be ready to disembark in a quarter of an hour. You can tell the scramble; but we did it, and went on to a small lighter which brought us, much to our disappointment, over to another ship. They had got orders to proceed elsewhere, and they had to get rid of us some how, so they bundled the eighty-two of us at a moment's notice on to another ship. Our luggage had gone ahead and was being piled sky high on the deck, when we reached the ship.
Five minutes' Notice. We were just standing about waiting fo rour cabins to be allotted to us, and had not been there three minutes when the order came for six of us, myself included, to be ready with uniforms, in suit case, to disembark in five minutes. You couldn't imagine the scramble. My big trunk, with uniforms in, was under about sixty others. It was a hot day, so, as I said before, you simply couldn't imagine the scramble. However, we managed it, and left our big trunks for our various friends to repack. Down the gangway we sailed to another lighter, in which was a colonel and he told us we were going on to a hospital ship; to put in time, whilst we were waiting for our own hospital to be fixed up. Of course we were delighted and away we went, but imagine our dismay to see the ship sailing away in the distance. We were too late. However, they put our boat at top speed, and we were sighted by the hospital ship, which slackened speed till we caught up. As we came alongside a small band of officers set up three hearty cheers-for us, the gangway was let down, and while the ship was still moving we tumbled up the steps. We thought, of course, that we had come to help other sisters, but found that we six were the only girls on board. They had thought they would have to sail with only orderlies, hence their cheers for us.
On Board Hospital Ship. It is a French-manned ship, taken over as a hospital ship by England. I am beginning to speak French like a native. Well, away went the ship with us on board, and as we were told we would probably receive wounded that night 6 p.m. then we set to work to get our wards in order. There are six wards of sixty beds each, and then the decks are also utilised. We reached our appointed place at 10 p.m., and we could hardly believe it when they told us that the few small lights we saw ahead were really the lights of the British lines half a mile away. Do you wonder that we could not believe our luck? We were told to go to bed when we were ready, and we would be called when necessary. Of course, we were all intensely excited, and did not sleep a wink when we eventually did get to bed at 2 a.m.
Amongst the Warships. The guns on shore were thundering away, and we watched the flashes of light caused by them, and by the flares being thrown into the air for observation purposes. There were warships, destroyers, and all kinds of vessels, with guns on each side of us, thundering away. It sounds almost like an overtall yarn. I suppose ,but it is quite true. We were called at 5.30 a.m., as word was received that patients would soon arrive. We jumped up on deck and there before our eves was land covered with khaki tents, men in khaki trousers, horses wagons, and ambulances looking just like a huge beehive. About 100 yards to our left was what looked like a huge whale. They jell us it is the keel of the Majestic. Another 300 yards away is the Clyde, with the great holes in her side. It all seemed too wonderful to be true, but we soon realised the truth of it whilst we were at breakfast, for along came four shells at us in the space of 20 minutes. One, they say, was only 15 yards from us, but of course, we were ordered below and could not see them. And now for four days we have had stray shots coming whizzing by. There are aeroplanes, biplanes, balloons, and all sorts of queer aircraft buzzing about, and we have seen two shots fired at an aeroplane. So if I am not living in stirring times my name is not what it is. Receiving the Wounded. 12th August.- Another try. I wrote yesterday's just as soon as my ward was
empty, and today we have not started to fill yet, though they may come any minute, so I have a litte respite. My head is aching with the noise of guns. On each side of us today they have been firing from ships. I have told you a bit of the interesting port, but now I feel don't want to write about the dreadful part, for it is the most ghastly business one could ever imagine. We load our ship full with patients, and then we get two hours' journey to a small harbor where, we wait till a larger hospital ship comes along. Then we trans-ship them, and they go to Mudros, Alexandria or Malta. It is very dreadful, for just as we get them comfortable and fixed up, it is time to send them off again, and they must suffer agonies, being craned up and down from and to the wards. When we get them they, have been mostly temporarily fixed lip at the dressing station on shore, but some have not even had that. They are sent straight to us from the firing line. And talk of the heartbreak! Very few nurses have seen them in their raw state as we have. We only have stray Australians, we are not quite far enough round for that, and we are all a bit sorry.
Patient Sufferers. I simply cannot write about the wounded. I never thought there were such patience and goodness left in the world. With their awful gaping wounds, and with nearly every bone in their body broken, every nerve gone to pieces, and perhaps having almost bled to death on the field, they will help themselves off the stretchers on to the beds, and they will thank you for any little thing you do for them. "Oh, sister, that is beautiful; my luck's in alright, isn't it ?" And their disappointment when they know they are to be moved to another ship is pitiful. So you see we are in the very thick of it all. As soon as ever they are lowered to the ward we give them hot coffee or bovril, and you should just see them enjoying it. Some of them have been lying unfed for two days. My there's a shell not the length of the ship away from us. This has been quite a long pause to watch the bursting of the shell on the water, and so I have lost the thread of my discourse.
The Awfulness of It All. 13th August.- I did not get any further with my letter yesterday, so will, try gain. We are going hard all day and at night sink into bed with throbbing head, and with feet stinging all over, and the color of raw tomatoes. My ward was full to overflowing yesterday we got them from the shore at 9 a.m., and each one as he came in seemed worse than the last. They were all young fellows with dreadful wounds, and were all so thankful to get into a bed and have something to drink. There is an orderly detailed to feed them the minute we got the men to the bed. He does nothing else but that, and it is pitiful to see how eager they are for it. We got the lot into bed, fed them, washed them, and dressed their wounds. Three died on the stretcher before we could get them into bed, so you can tell how bad they were. By 7 p.m they were more or less happy, when we found that we had reached the hospital ship to which we were to transfer them. By midnight all the other wards had been emptied, and they were ready to start on mine. I hated to have to tell them ,that they had to go; not one of them murmured, but the look in their eyes! It nearly broke me. They all tried to thank me as they were lifted from their beds, and I wondered how much longer I could stand it without screaming. By 2 a.mrn. they had started on the last row of six beds. I looked at the row, and I know that not one of the six was going to live, and the awfulness of it all came over me. The medical officer must have noticed, for he said, "Run away to your cabin, sister. you're tired." I fled, and broke down utterly in my, cabin; and now, I think I will not do so again, whatever happens, but for that day my ward had been by far the heaviest. It really did me good, and I feel I will never get so strung up again, but will go through anything.
Recognises an Australian. One boy had been in bed some time frightfully ill, when I noticed his hat was Australian. So I just gave him a smile as I passed, and said, "I see you've got an Australian hat. Are you from Australia?" He showed teeth from ear to ear, and said,"Yes, and I noticed your badge the minute I saw you." I thought I wanted to nurse Australians, but now I hope I never see anyone I know with these awful wounds. One could hardly bear it. 14th August.- We have been on the ship eight days now, and it seems centuries; and now we are on our way back to where we started from eight days ago. If our hospital is in working order, I suppose we will get off. This time my ward is not so ghastly as on the other trips, as most of them are fever patients, and though they are very weak and ill, poor fellows, I am sure not one of them is going to die, and I am quite cheerful.
A Bendigo Patient. 22nd August.-This has not been posted yet, but I hope to be able to send it ashore today. I am still on the boat, and have been having a most thrilling time watching the battle at Cape Helles. On our last two trips our patients have been mostly Australian -A. Cordingley, from Bendigo, was one. Actually I saw with my naked eye troops marching with fixed bayonets to charge. The Ghurkhas and Australians are the best patients. 1st September.-Am back at our island again, and working hard. All the beds have arrived, and everything is shipshape, and soon we will have bread instead of biscuits. I am awfully tired, but I would like to tell you how I spent my birthday. In the morning I asked them to wish me many happy returns, so that it would seem more home-like. One medico went and got me a tin of sardines, another a slab of chocolate, another a tin of peaches and another a tin of apricots, gave me some notepaper, and apologised for the lack of a box, while gave me some of her perfume. So you see was "'done proud." Good-bye. I wish I could ring up 553 and have a yarn to you all.
The Benidgonian Thursday 28 October 1915 page 31
AANS
No 3 Australian General Hospital
Born 1885 in Bendigo, Vic.
Daughter of George Simpson BISSET and Malvina nee SINCLAIR
Of Golden Square, Vic.
Aged 28 years
Trained at Bendigo Hospital
Enlisted 19 May 1915
Embarked 24 May 1915
Served in Egypt and France
Returned to Australia 07 May 1919 per 'Kildonian Castle'
Discharged as Medically unfit 29 June 1919
Did not marry
Died 27 March 1945
Cremated Springvale Botanical Cemetery and remains scattered
LETTER FROM SISTER BISSET.
THRILLING EXPERIENCES.
Close to Field of Battle. The following interesting letter has been received from Sister Bisset, daughter of Mr. G. S. Bisset of Golden-square :-- ..I am going to write you some of my very thrilling experiences. I can only start it now, and will continue it when I have a little time to spare, which is only seldom; but I will hope to get it finished and posted when I get a chance. I really hardly know how to start, except that I am beginning to think that my luck has turned at last, for 'I am sure the six of us are the envy of every other nurse in our party who knows where we are. But, I must start and tell you things methodically. I wrote to you that we were lying out from our island on a ship, waiting till our hospital was ready to receive us. Well, on Friday we got word to be ready to disembark in a quarter of an hour. You can tell the scramble; but we did it, and went on to a small lighter which brought us, much to our disappointment, over to another ship. They had got orders to proceed elsewhere, and they had to get rid of us some how, so they bundled the eighty-two of us at a moment's notice on to another ship. Our luggage had gone ahead and was being piled sky high on the deck, when we reached the ship.
Five minutes' Notice. We were just standing about waiting fo rour cabins to be allotted to us, and had not been there three minutes when the order came for six of us, myself included, to be ready with uniforms, in suit case, to disembark in five minutes. You couldn't imagine the scramble. My big trunk, with uniforms in, was under about sixty others. It was a hot day, so, as I said before, you simply couldn't imagine the scramble. However, we managed it, and left our big trunks for our various friends to repack. Down the gangway we sailed to another lighter, in which was a colonel and he told us we were going on to a hospital ship; to put in time, whilst we were waiting for our own hospital to be fixed up. Of course we were delighted and away we went, but imagine our dismay to see the ship sailing away in the distance. We were too late. However, they put our boat at top speed, and we were sighted by the hospital ship, which slackened speed till we caught up. As we came alongside a small band of officers set up three hearty cheers-for us, the gangway was let down, and while the ship was still moving we tumbled up the steps. We thought, of course, that we had come to help other sisters, but found that we six were the only girls on board. They had thought they would have to sail with only orderlies, hence their cheers for us.
On Board Hospital Ship. It is a French-manned ship, taken over as a hospital ship by England. I am beginning to speak French like a native. Well, away went the ship with us on board, and as we were told we would probably receive wounded that night 6 p.m. then we set to work to get our wards in order. There are six wards of sixty beds each, and then the decks are also utilised. We reached our appointed place at 10 p.m., and we could hardly believe it when they told us that the few small lights we saw ahead were really the lights of the British lines half a mile away. Do you wonder that we could not believe our luck? We were told to go to bed when we were ready, and we would be called when necessary. Of course, we were all intensely excited, and did not sleep a wink when we eventually did get to bed at 2 a.m.
Amongst the Warships. The guns on shore were thundering away, and we watched the flashes of light caused by them, and by the flares being thrown into the air for observation purposes. There were warships, destroyers, and all kinds of vessels, with guns on each side of us, thundering away. It sounds almost like an overtall yarn. I suppose ,but it is quite true. We were called at 5.30 a.m., as word was received that patients would soon arrive. We jumped up on deck and there before our eves was land covered with khaki tents, men in khaki trousers, horses wagons, and ambulances looking just like a huge beehive. About 100 yards to our left was what looked like a huge whale. They jell us it is the keel of the Majestic. Another 300 yards away is the Clyde, with the great holes in her side. It all seemed too wonderful to be true, but we soon realised the truth of it whilst we were at breakfast, for along came four shells at us in the space of 20 minutes. One, they say, was only 15 yards from us, but of course, we were ordered below and could not see them. And now for four days we have had stray shots coming whizzing by. There are aeroplanes, biplanes, balloons, and all sorts of queer aircraft buzzing about, and we have seen two shots fired at an aeroplane. So if I am not living in stirring times my name is not what it is. Receiving the Wounded. 12th August.- Another try. I wrote yesterday's just as soon as my ward was
empty, and today we have not started to fill yet, though they may come any minute, so I have a litte respite. My head is aching with the noise of guns. On each side of us today they have been firing from ships. I have told you a bit of the interesting port, but now I feel don't want to write about the dreadful part, for it is the most ghastly business one could ever imagine. We load our ship full with patients, and then we get two hours' journey to a small harbor where, we wait till a larger hospital ship comes along. Then we trans-ship them, and they go to Mudros, Alexandria or Malta. It is very dreadful, for just as we get them comfortable and fixed up, it is time to send them off again, and they must suffer agonies, being craned up and down from and to the wards. When we get them they, have been mostly temporarily fixed lip at the dressing station on shore, but some have not even had that. They are sent straight to us from the firing line. And talk of the heartbreak! Very few nurses have seen them in their raw state as we have. We only have stray Australians, we are not quite far enough round for that, and we are all a bit sorry.
Patient Sufferers. I simply cannot write about the wounded. I never thought there were such patience and goodness left in the world. With their awful gaping wounds, and with nearly every bone in their body broken, every nerve gone to pieces, and perhaps having almost bled to death on the field, they will help themselves off the stretchers on to the beds, and they will thank you for any little thing you do for them. "Oh, sister, that is beautiful; my luck's in alright, isn't it ?" And their disappointment when they know they are to be moved to another ship is pitiful. So you see we are in the very thick of it all. As soon as ever they are lowered to the ward we give them hot coffee or bovril, and you should just see them enjoying it. Some of them have been lying unfed for two days. My there's a shell not the length of the ship away from us. This has been quite a long pause to watch the bursting of the shell on the water, and so I have lost the thread of my discourse.
The Awfulness of It All. 13th August.- I did not get any further with my letter yesterday, so will, try gain. We are going hard all day and at night sink into bed with throbbing head, and with feet stinging all over, and the color of raw tomatoes. My ward was full to overflowing yesterday we got them from the shore at 9 a.m., and each one as he came in seemed worse than the last. They were all young fellows with dreadful wounds, and were all so thankful to get into a bed and have something to drink. There is an orderly detailed to feed them the minute we got the men to the bed. He does nothing else but that, and it is pitiful to see how eager they are for it. We got the lot into bed, fed them, washed them, and dressed their wounds. Three died on the stretcher before we could get them into bed, so you can tell how bad they were. By 7 p.m they were more or less happy, when we found that we had reached the hospital ship to which we were to transfer them. By midnight all the other wards had been emptied, and they were ready to start on mine. I hated to have to tell them ,that they had to go; not one of them murmured, but the look in their eyes! It nearly broke me. They all tried to thank me as they were lifted from their beds, and I wondered how much longer I could stand it without screaming. By 2 a.mrn. they had started on the last row of six beds. I looked at the row, and I know that not one of the six was going to live, and the awfulness of it all came over me. The medical officer must have noticed, for he said, "Run away to your cabin, sister. you're tired." I fled, and broke down utterly in my, cabin; and now, I think I will not do so again, whatever happens, but for that day my ward had been by far the heaviest. It really did me good, and I feel I will never get so strung up again, but will go through anything.
Recognises an Australian. One boy had been in bed some time frightfully ill, when I noticed his hat was Australian. So I just gave him a smile as I passed, and said, "I see you've got an Australian hat. Are you from Australia?" He showed teeth from ear to ear, and said,"Yes, and I noticed your badge the minute I saw you." I thought I wanted to nurse Australians, but now I hope I never see anyone I know with these awful wounds. One could hardly bear it. 14th August.- We have been on the ship eight days now, and it seems centuries; and now we are on our way back to where we started from eight days ago. If our hospital is in working order, I suppose we will get off. This time my ward is not so ghastly as on the other trips, as most of them are fever patients, and though they are very weak and ill, poor fellows, I am sure not one of them is going to die, and I am quite cheerful.
A Bendigo Patient. 22nd August.-This has not been posted yet, but I hope to be able to send it ashore today. I am still on the boat, and have been having a most thrilling time watching the battle at Cape Helles. On our last two trips our patients have been mostly Australian -A. Cordingley, from Bendigo, was one. Actually I saw with my naked eye troops marching with fixed bayonets to charge. The Ghurkhas and Australians are the best patients. 1st September.-Am back at our island again, and working hard. All the beds have arrived, and everything is shipshape, and soon we will have bread instead of biscuits. I am awfully tired, but I would like to tell you how I spent my birthday. In the morning I asked them to wish me many happy returns, so that it would seem more home-like. One medico went and got me a tin of sardines, another a slab of chocolate, another a tin of peaches and another a tin of apricots, gave me some notepaper, and apologised for the lack of a box, while gave me some of her perfume. So you see was "'done proud." Good-bye. I wish I could ring up 553 and have a yarn to you all.
The Benidgonian Thursday 28 October 1915 page 31
