Australian Nurses in World War 1
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LACEY, Mary Gertrude

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1887 at Westmorland, Tasmania
Daughter of Mr. William LACEY and  Margaret nee HAGERTY
Age 29 years
Enlisted 16 November 1917 in Perth
Embarked 20 November 1917 in Fremantle per “Canberra”
Service in India and Burma
Promoted to Sister on 20 November 1919
Returned to Australia per “Medic” 12December 1919
Medical Discharge 18 February 1920 (Gastritis)
Left Australia in 1922 and arrived in Hawaii
Married BARR
Arrived in Sydney 04 October 1950 - may have just been visiting?

LACKEY, Ethel Janet

Sister
AANS

Born 1885 at Maitland, NSW
Daughter of James Percival and Annie M LACKEY
Address Emerald St. East Maitland, NSW
Age 31 years
Training 4 years Maitland Hospital
Enlisted 24 July 1915 in Egypt
Extensive service in the field in France plus Egypt and England
Promoted to Sister 01 October 1918
Returned to Australia per “Euripides” 06 September 1919 On Duty
Attended a course of Lectures on Sanitation 10 May 1919 – 12 March 1919
Appointment Terminated 23 December 1919
Died 07 December 1939 at a private hospital, Mosman, NSW
Privately cremated

LADE, Zulu Alathea Carmel

Sister
AANS

Born 24 October 1881 in Fingal, Tasmania
Daughter of Mr. John LADE and Susannah Rose nee BELLENGER
Address Penguin, Tasmania
Aged 33 years
Enlisted 12 September 1916
Embarked 16 September 1916 per 'Karmala' from Melbourne
Served in India, Egypt and England
Promoted to Sister 16 December 1918
Returned to Australia 21 August 1919 per 'Dunvegan Castle'
Appointment terminated 18 October 1919
Married Alfred Benjamin Cartledge
Died 1976 in Tas.
Buried Penguin Cemetery

“At the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 – a number of the nurses volunteered for active service for the Empire. The name of those who volunteered are Edith TWELVETREES, Zulu LADE, Rhoda McKENDRICK, Grace TREBILCO, Margaret McKENDRICK, Linda WATSON, Kathleen TURVEY, Laura WHITFIELD, Evelyn SALE, Rose HEATHORN, Kate GRASBY, Nellie GILL.
Their names are shown on the Roll of Honour hanging in the waiting-room of the hospital at the present time.”

History of Devon Hospital, Tasmania 
Advocate Friday 12 September 1930 page 4

LAIDLAW, Annie Ina

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 23 January 1889 at Lake Wallace near Edenhope, Vic.
Daughter of John Adam LAIDLAW and Annie nee GILCHRIST
Did not marry
Died 13 September 1978 at McKinnon, Vic.
Formerly of Hamilton, Vic.
Aged 89 years

www.awm.gov.au
ART22219

The Royal Australian Navy Nursing Service will be represented in the guard of honor by Miss Ina Laidlaw who
first saw active service in the 1914-18 war as a member of the A.A.N.S. in India. During the last war, from 1939-45, she was matron in chief of the R.A.N. Nursing Service, and is at present matron of the Freemasons' Hospital.

Gippsland Times Thursday 4 March 1954 page 7s
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Annie Ina Laidlaw (1889-1978), navy matron, was born on 23 January 1889 at Lake Wallace, near Edenhope, Victoria, second of three daughters of native-born parents James Adam Laidlaw, grazier, and his wife Annie, née Gilchrist. Ina was educated at Alexandra Ladies' College, Hamilton. On 11 November 1913 she started training at the (Royal) Children's Hospital, Melbourne; three years later she was retained as a staff nurse.

Appointed to the Australian Army Nursing Service on 30 June 1917, Laidlaw was immediately sent to India where she served in military hospitals at Bombay and Poona. She returned to Melbourne in March 1919 and her A.A.N.S. appointment terminated on 21 May. Back at the Children's Hospital, she worked as a ward sister until 1925 when she was granted leave to undertake midwifery training at the Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney. She resumed her post at the Children's Hospital and in January 1926 became assistant lady superintendent (assistant-matron). In 1930 she was promoted to lady superintendent of the hospital's orthopaedic section at Frankston, where she worked under the medical superintendent Dr John Colquhoun.

The Royal Australian Naval Nursing Service was formed in 1942. Surgeon Captain William Carr, who knew Miss Laidlaw socially, nominated her to head the new service; on 20 April she was appointed superintending sister, with the equivalent rank of lieutenant commander. She assisted in the selection of qualified nurses suitable for recruitment as R.A.N.N.S. officers. Initially, twelve were chosen in Melbourne and twelve in Sydney. Their numbers rose to sixty before World War II ended. They served in naval hospitals in Sydney and Darwin, at Milne Bay, Papua, and at Flinders Naval Depot, Westernport, Victoria; they staffed naval sick-quarters in Brisbane and Canberra, at Townsville and Cairns, Queensland, and at Fremantle, Western Australia; some of them were attached to army and air force hospitals. Laidlaw visited her staff at their various postings.

Based at Flinders Naval Depot, she had charge of the establishment's hospital in addition to her responsibilities for the whole of the R.A.N.N.S. In March 1943 she was promoted matron. Laidlaw and her colleagues shared their living-quarters with officers of the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service, but had their own officers' mess where meals and services were provided by W.R.A.N.S. cooks and stewards. The nurses' duties included training men as sick-berth attendants to prepare them for employment at sea. There was some resentment among male members of the Medical Branch who felt that their positions were being usurped. Laidlaw overcame the difficulty. One nursing officer recalled that she 'was of sterling worth . . . a born leader—a woman of tremendous courage'.

After Laidlaw's R.A.N.N.S. appointment ended on 15 March 1946, she returned to her position at the orthopaedic division of the Children's Hospital and remained there until 1950. She had a large circle of friends, belonged to the Peninsula Country Golf Club, Frankston, enjoyed a game of cards and drove a baby Austin motorcar.

In 1951-52 Laidlaw was home sister at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, London. She then worked in Melbourne as resident matron at the Freemasons' Homes of Victoria, Prahran. Following her retirement in 1957, she lived in the Returned Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia's home for nurses at R.S.L. (St Kilda) House. She died on 13 September 1978 at McKinnon and was cremated with the forms of the Uniting Church. Nora Heysen's portrait of Laidlaw is held by the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

by Patricia C. Vines
This article was published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 15, (MUP), 2000



LAIRD, Frances Catherine

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1888 in Ballarat, Vic.
Daughter of John LAIRD and Ada Louisa nee QUINAN
Age 27 years
Training Mount Gambier Hospital
Enlisted 07 November 1915 at Cairo, Egypt
Embarked 12 November 1915 per “Orsova”
Service in India and England
Returned to Australia 06 June 1918 per “Baramah” On Duty
Resigned Appointment 16 August 1918 due to marriage
Upon return continued to nurse in Influenza Hospitals in Adelaide
Married Clarence Peterson De La MOTTE in 1921 who was with the Mawson and Shackleton Antartic Expedition
Died 02 June 1984
Cremated Centennial Park Cemetery (Delamotte)


LAITY, Florence May

Sister
AANS

Born 20 May 1888 at Northcote, Vic.
Daughter of John Henry LAITY and Susan Lamont nee DOUGLAS
Of Godfrey Terrace, Leabrook, SA
Occupation prior to enlistment Nurse
Aged 28 years
Enlisted 26 June 1916 at Keswick, SA
Served in France
Returned to Australia 06 August 1917 per 'Konig Frederich August'
Demobilised 05 October 1919
Did not marry
Died 17 June 1947 at Repat Hospital, Daw Park, SA
Buried Payneham Cemetery
Picture
Picture

LAITY, Kate

Sister
AANS

Born 1888 at Korong, Vic
Daughter to George Henry LAITY and Catherine nee GORDON
Age 27 years
Training Bendigo Hospital
Enlisted 22 July 1915
Embarked 04 August 1915
Service in England and France
Promoted to Sister 01 October 1918
Returned to Australia 04 July 1919 per “Norman” On Duty
Appointment Terminated 28 March 1920
Did not marry
Died 13 May 1983 in Vic.
Aged 95 years
​Resided Mt. Martha, Vic.
Buried Springvale Botanical Cemetery Cassia Wall AA Niche 370


LAMB, Mary Catherine

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 16 May 1880in Brisbane, Qld
Daughter of Frederick Albert LAMB and Bridget nee HART
Sister to Mrs Amelia HUNTER and Alfred F LAMB
Age 29 years
Enlisted 01 September 1917
Embarked 15 September 1917 per “Ayreshire”
Service in Egypt
Resigned Appointment due to marriage
Married name de GERSIGNY and living in South Africa after demobilisation


LAMBERT, Doris Fanny

Staff Nurse
AANS


Born 1894 at Dubbo, NSW
Daughter of Henry and Adeline Marion LAMBERT
Age 23 years
Enlisted 22 May 1917 at Sydney, NSW
Embarked 9 June 1917 in Sydney per “Mooltan”
Service in Salonika
Diagnosed with Hernia and Appendicitis with operation required
Nurse requested to be invalided home as she did not want the operation in Egypt
Invalided to Australia 26 December 1917 per “Tofu”
Discharged as medically unfit 19 June 1918
Died 28 March 1978 at Gordon, NSW
​Aged 87 years
Picture
Nurse Doris Lambert who has seen service in Egypt and Salonica and who has been invalided home is at present visiting her parents Mr. and Mrs. H. Lambert, of Nulgarra. Although six months furlough has been granted her, Nurse Lambert, who now feels that she has regained her health has offered her services for active service and expects to be called upon for medical examination in the near future.

Western Champion Thursday 31 October 1918 page 28

LANE, Nellie Jane

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 18 September 1986 in Newford, England
Daughter of John Evans LANE and Sarah Ann nee WALTERS
Age 32 years
Enlisted 06 July 1918 at Launceston, Tas.
Embarked 09 November 1918 in Sydney per “Wiltshire”
Service in India
Invalided to Australia (unknown reason) 17 November 1919 per “Charon”
Medical Discharge 26 March 1920
Married Arthur Fawkner LOVETT 19 January 1922 in Tasmania
Died 17 June 1941 in Hobart, Tas.
Resided cnr of Wellington and Talune Streets, Lindisfarne
Cremated Cornelian Bay Cemetery Derwent Gardens Section AIF Forces Arch, North 2 E

Picture

LANE, Reta/Rita Constance

Staff Nurse/Sister
AANS

Born 1892 at Waterloo, Sydney, NSW
Daughter of James Frankis LANE and Constance nee EAGLE
Age 24 years
Training at Perth Public Hospital
Embarked 30 March 1917 in Fremantle per “Kanowna”
Service in Egypt
Promoted to Sister 23 March 1919
Returned to Australia 22 December 1919 per “Themistocles” On Duty
Appointment Terminated 14 February 1920
Married Alexander Roderick Vincent MACKAY in 1928
Died 14 April 1962 in Perth, WA
Resided Claremont, WA
Aged 70 years
Buried Fremantle Cemetery Presbyterian Mon E 0087 - lease expired

LANE, Una

Staff Nurse and Sister
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve


Born 1884 in Orange, NSW
Daughter of W G LANE (Sheep Farmer)
Of Edward Street, East Orange, NSW.
Educated Methodist Ladies College, Stanmore, Sydney, NSW
Trained at Armidale General Hospital 1906 - 1910
Private Nursing in NSW 1910 - 1911
New York 1911 - 1914
Arrived in UK 25 December 1914 per 'Lapland'
Signed papers on 10 March 1915 to enlist with QAIMNSR
Appointed in France 08 July 1915
Returned from BEF 10 November 1915
Transferred to 20 & 21 Station Hospital, Salonika 02 December 1915
Unit 29 General Hospital, Salonika
Sick leave from 11 July 1916 - 21 August 1916
Demobilised 09 August 1919 on embarkation to USA
Sailed for USA on S.S. 'Caronia' 08 August 1919
Resided 242 5th Avenue South, St Petersburg, Florida, USA in August 1939

Armidale Nurses' Letter.
WRITTEN FROM SALONICA.


The following are extracts rrom a letter written by Nurse Una Lane, who was trained in the Armidale Hospital- She writes from No. 29 General Hospital, Salonica, to Mrs, Hickson:--

"We were sent from Alexandria here on the 1st, and a  good, warm reception we got at sea. The first time I was really frightened. We are both nursing and living under canvas, and it is very cold. We have marquees, and nurses sleep in each, and 10 to 12 patients are nursed in similar sized tents. I am on night duty. We have a staff of 75. The highest number of patients so far is 454, nearly all being medical cases. It is most dread-fully cold, far worse than New York ever was. I had chilblains on my ears and nose, and a frosted face, . After a week's night duty, so you can imagine I was some sight. We are in amongst the mountains; they are all snow clad. We have terrific rain storms.

"There is only one way to dress— tuck up your frock, gum boots, a sou'wester, and mac. and gloves, and in that rig-out you go from tent to tent with a dark lantern and a walking stick—the latter because some dogs have been seen in the camp. Then if you have a few spare minutes you sit in your duty tent by an oil stove and get cold. However, it is not as bad as our men are suffering, so we don't grumble. We are seven miles out of Salonica, and are only allowed in on special passes. - I was in last week—it is n most interesting place. All nationalities are represented—Turks, Greeks, Serbs, French, English, and negroes; plenty of uniform, too. The place is full of Serbian refugees. The women are very quaint in their pretty coloured coats and aprons, and such dear sunny kiddies in rags, but all so clean. The men are fine, manly-looking soldiers. We saw several old churches, and the old Turkish Prison,"The Great White Tower," where they kept their prisoners, and when there were too many they used a grating floor over the sea, and they were disposed of.

"The pavements are narrow and dirty—you have to walk Chinaman way. All the streets are cobble stones. It's nice to see old oxen waggons and queer carts with straw matting for a cover, and women and children inside. The Censor won't permit  me to say the many things I would."

Nurse Lane has been eleven, months in France nursing in Paris, at Wimercux and Havre.


The Armidale Chronicle Saturday 20 May 1916 page 9

LANG, Ethel Florence

Nurse
AANS

Born London, England
Daughter of A LANG
Age 31 years
Training at Adelaide General Hospital
Enlisted 12 December 1916 at Keswick, SA
Embarked 29 December 1916 in Sydney per “Themistocles”
Service in England and France
Found to have evidence of organic heart disease and unfit for further service
Returned to Australia 24 December 1918 per “Takada”
Discharged as medically unfit 26 April 1919
Died 22 December 1956 or 18 February 1957

LANG, Margaret Irene

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 23 May 1893 at Oxley, Vic.
Enlisted 25 May 1917
Embarked 12 June 1917
Appointment terminated 17 January 1920
​Did not marry
Died 14 February 1983 at Canterbury, Vic.
Resided Canterbury, Vic.
Aged 89 years
Buried Springvale Botanical Cemetery Garden of No Distant Place, April Date 2

www.awm.gov.au
ART27682

Another nurse who has served in two world wars will be the R.A.A.F Nursing Service representative. She is Miss Margaret Lang, present matron of Mason Meadows,the Talbot Colony at Clayton. Miss Lang, who was with the army nurses in Salonika in the first world war, was matron in chief of the R.A.A.F. Nursing Service from 1939-45.  She was awarded an O.B.E. for her services to the nursing profession.

Gippsland Times Thursday 04 March 1954 page 7s
Picture
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R.A.A.F. Matron Glad To Serve Again

Active war service is no new experience for Matron M. I. Lang, who was yesterday appointed matron in-chief of the new Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service, she served at Salonika in the last year, and yesterday she said:-"I am very glad to be serving my country again."

Matron Lang, however, is looking forward with interest to working with this entirely new branch of war nursing, which is modelled on Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service, working in England.

Starting her training very early-too early to be admitted to a city hospital Miss Lang began at Wangaratta Hospital, where she was when the Great War broke out. After returning from war service Miss Lang nursed in country districts for 16 years until her appointment as matron of the Police Hospital, which she held for two and a half years.

When asked if she would like to serve abroad again. Matron Lang said she was prepared to do whatever was necessary,though she felt it was a Job for the youthful. "I would like to go as a sister again," she laughingly said.

An attractive outdoor uniform of Air Force blue will bd worn by R.A.A.F. nurses, with an indoor white uniform with Air Force blue capes.

On the delicate question of make-up for nurses, Matron Lang said that though she did not approve of nurses wearing heavy make-up while on duty, she had "no objection to a little powder,"

The Argus Friday 23 August 1940 page 8
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CHIEF OF RAAF NURSING SERVICE DISCHARGED

Miss Margaret I. Lang, matron in chief of the RAAF Nursing Service, was discharged from the RAAF yesterday.

She served with the Australian Army Nursing Service during the first world war, and founded the RAAF nursing service in 1940.

The Argus Saturday 09 November 1946 page 9
Picture
Margaret Lang was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 8 June 1950 for service with the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service. Lang was the founder and Matron-in-Chief of the Service during World War II. She had completed her training at Wangaratta District Hospital and the Women's Hospital (later Royal), Melbourne. During World War I Lang served in Salonika with the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS). Other positions she held included being a Matron of a number of Victorian country hospitals, the Police Hospital and the Talbot Epileptics Colony in Clayton, Victoria.

http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0572b.htm


LANGAN, Mary Agnes

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 19 March 1881 in Violet Town, Vic
Daughter of Thomas LANGAN and Agnes Ann nee DAVIS
Age 35 years
Training in Dunolly Hospital, Vic
Enlisted 07 November 1917
Embarked 16 November 1917 in Sydney per “Canberra”
Service in India
Returned to Australia 13 April 1919 per “Eastern” On Duty
Appointment Terminated 27 February 1920
Did not marry
Died 1963 in Ascot Vale, Vic.
Picture











www.awm.gov.au

A01179



LANGFORD, Rose Jane

Sister
AANS
No 1 AAH

Born Hull or Devonshire, England
Daughter William LANGFORD and Sarah Jane nee FOLEY
Address 54 Terrace St, Brisbane Qld
Age 36 years
Enlisted 11 November 1914 in Brisbane
Service record from Egypt missing
Service in Egypt and on the field in France
Promoted to Sister 01 August 1915
Returned to Australia per “Baranbah” 14 April 1917
Appointment Terminated 13 August 1917
Married Randle Jams WALKER in 1926 in Qld.
Died  09 March 1935 in Qld.
Aged 57 years
Late Matron of Rosemount Hospital
Resided 28 Tower Street, Albion Heights, Qld.
Buried Toowong Cemetery 5-25-1/2
Picture
Picture
Mentioned in despatches of Brigadier General FHG Cunliffe CMG, 16 March 1916
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 21 September 1916
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Page 2624, position 45
Date of London Gazette: 21 June 1916
Location in London Gazette: Page 6184, position 37

Mrs. R. J. Walker

Following a short illness, the death occurred on Saturday morning of  Mrs. Rose Jane Walker, who, as Matron Langford, was for several years associated with Rosemount Hospital.The late Mrs. Walker, who was 56 years of age, was born in Hull, England, and came to Australia with her parents at an early age. She received her training as a nurse at the Ipswich General Hospital, after which she was matron at Mt. Perry, Mt. Morgan, and Mackay hospitals, and head sister at the Bundaberg Hospital. When the war broke out, she went with the first hospital ship that left Australia, and for three years did hospital work in Egypt and France.  In 1917 she returned to Australia as matron of a hospital ship, but owing to ill-health was unable to return to the front. The late Mrs. Walker was made matron of the sanatorium at Stanthorpe in 1919 and in the following year sub-matron at Rosemount Hospital. Three years later she was appointed matron of the hospital, but resigned that position in 1927, when she married Mr. R. J. Walker, who survives her.  

The Courier Mail Tuesday 12 March 1935 page 9


LANGSFORD, Lilian Eleanor Victoria

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 02 February 1888 at Willunga, SA
Daughter of John Dyer LANGSFORD and Hume nee HARDY
Of 86 Kenilworth Road, Parkside, SA
Occupation prior to enlistment Nurse
Aged 29 years
Enlisted 13 November 1917 at Keswick, SA
Served in Bombay
Returned to Australia per 'Yrpinga'  05 January 1920
Married Percy W BULL and lived in England after the war
There is a record of her arriving in Adelaide in 1959.  
A Lilian Eleanor Bull died 23 July 1975 in Adelaide 
Buried at Enfield Cemetery 
Aged 87 years 

LANGWORTHY, Gertrude Henderson

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1883 at Mudgee, NSW
Daughter of Mr. William Thomas LANGWORTHY and Eliza Jane nee KERR
Age 28 years
Enlisted 02 September 1916
Embarked 03 September 1916 in Sydney peer “Kashgar”
Service in India
Promoted to Sister 03 September 1918
Resigned Appointment 09 April 1919 due to Marriage
Married Oliver Edward LUKE of Mt. Gloious, Cedar Creek, Qld
Died 13 April 1970 in NSW
​Late of Carlingford, NSW

LANSER, Ethel

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1891 in Sydney, NSW
Daughter of Edward Nicholas  and Berthe J LANSER
Enlisted 27 August 1917 in Sydney, NSW
Embarked 15 September 1917 in Sydney per “Ayreshire”
Service in Egypt and Salonika
Returned to Australia 04 March 1919 per “Port Sydney” On Duty
Appointment terminated 14 May 1919
Repatriation contact 06 February 1959
Did not marry
Died 09 September 1976 at Condord Hospital,  NSW
Late of Cammeray
​
Miss Lanser is one of the outstanding personalities on the league staff. She completed a training in general nursing In 1919 and while still on the staff of her training school, she was called up to Join toe A.A.N.S. and go abroad with the Australian Imperial Forces to serve in Egypt and Salonika.  A few months after demobilising from the A I F in 1919 she and two other nurses went To San Francisco and the United States of America. Since then she has trained at the Tressilian Mothercraft Training School, and for seven years she was in the charge of the Canberra Mothercraft Baby Health Centres.  Two years ago she qualified as a teacher of the Women's League of Health, and she was first put in charge of the Newcastle centre from which she opened Cessnock, Mailtland, and Mayfield branches. Goulburn and Canberra were put in her charge early last year, and this week she transferred to the Melbourne centre.

The Advertiser Friday 24 March 1939 page 30

LAPIDGE, Elfrida Jane May

Staff Nurse 
A A N S  AIF

Born 17 May 1882 at Unley, SA
Daughter of John Thomas LAPIDGE & Mary Jane May nee OPIE 
Of 108 King William Road, Hyde Park
Occupation prior to enlistment Nurse at Adelaide Children’s Hospital
Enlisted 20 September 1916 at Keswick, SA
Served Rouen, France
Embarked from Sydney 29 December 1916 per 'Themistocles'
Returned to Australia per ‘Kanowna’ 06 September 1917 with Bullar Paralysis
Discharged as medically unfit 28 November 1917
In 1922 was Inspector of the State Children's Department
Wife of Thomas William Archer BREYNARD
Died 14 August 1958 at Eastwood, SA
Aged 76 years
Resided Eastwood, SA
Buried St. Mary's Anglican Cemetery, St. Marys
Picture
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LAPIDGE, Hilda Augusta Ivey

Staff Nurse 
A A N S   AIF

Born 08 August 1884 at Unley, SA
Daughter of John Thomas LAPIDGE & Mary Jane Ivey nee OPEY 
Of 108 King William Rod, Hyde Park
Occupation prior to enlistment Nurse at Adelaide Children’s Hospital
Enlisted 03 October 1917 at Keswick
Served in Bombay, Bangalore and Gharial
Returned to Australia via Caluctta per ‘Janus’ 05 January 1920
Worked in Child Welfare Department
Died 10 March 1970 at Daw Park, SA
Aged 84 years
Resided Eastwood, SA
Buried St. Mary's Anglican Cemetery, St. Marys
Picture

After 24 years's service in the Child Welfare Department, Miss Hilda Lapidge, who has charge of foster mothers and arranges all adoptions, will retire on August 8.  She will begin her long leave today and will return to her home at Mylor.
Miss Lapidge, who is a returned Army nurse, joined the department as an inspector in 1920, and hundreds of mothers throughout the State are grateful for her advice and sympathy during their adoption probationary periods.  For more than four and a half years Miss Lapidge has been in charge of foster mothers, and in that time has arranged for more than 1,000 adoptions.
Baby girls were more popular for adoption than boys, Miss Lapidge said yesterday, but there were never enough children to meet the demand, and frequently the adopting parents would decide to take a boy if no girls were available.  Requests for a baby with the same colouring as the new parents were often made, and were encouraged by Miss Lapidge, who said she thought the children often grew like them.  Miss Lapidge was entertained at afternoon tea yesterday by members of the department, and said that the harmony of her staff had contributed considerably in making her job a very enjoyable one.

The Advertiser Wednesday 31 May 1944 page 3

LARARD, Isabella Ritchie

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 07 January 1891 in Hawthorn, Vic
Daughter of John LARARD and Rebecca (Ruby) nee McTAGGART
Address 94 Westbury Sy, St Kilda Melbourne
Age 27 years
Training 4 years Melbourne Hospital
Enlisted 28 June 1918
Embarked 09 November 1918 in Sydney per “Wiltshire”
Service in India
Returned to Australia per “Charon” 23 January 1920
Appointment Terminated 31 March 1920
Did not marry
Died 13 September 1969 in Glen Iris, Vic.
​Resided Glen Iris, Vic.

LARDI, Annie

Sister
AANS

Born 1889 in Wandiligong, Vic
Daughter of Charles (Carlos) LARDI and Mary nee TULLY
Sister to Mary LARDI
Age 27 years
Enlisted 15 December 1916
Embarked 26 December 1916 per “Mooltan”
Service in India and England
Promoted to Sister 29 December 1918
Returned to Australia 28 August 1919 per “Kanowna” On Duty
Appointment terminated 08 January 1920
Did not marry
Died 31 December 1982 in Vic.
​Resided Northcote, Vic.

LARKAN, Gladys Muriel

Sister
AANS

Born 1892 in Bright, Victoria
Daughter of Edward LARKAN and Elizabeth Anna nee DAVED
NOK Aunt, Mrs J P WILSON
Age 25 years
Enlisted 07 December 1916
Embarked 26 December 1916 per “Mooltan”
Service in India and England
Promoted to Sister 29 December 1918
Invalided to Australia (reason unknown) 18 July 1919 per “Orsova”
Appointment terminated 28 February 1920
Married John Henry GALE in 1946
Died at Heidelberg Vic. in 1958
Buried 18 September 1958 Springvale Botanical Cemetery Agonis Bed 26 Rose 01
Punch Thursday 17 February 1916 page 17

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LARKINS, Beatrice Genevieve

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born Sydney, NSW
Daughter of Nicholas and Mary Teresa LARKINS
Age 32 years
Enlisted 08 October 1915
Service in Egypt
Transport duty per “Borda” from Suez to Australia
Embarked “Benalla” in Sydney for England
Service in England
Invalided to Australia 16 July 1917 per “Kanowna”
Discharged medically unfit (gastric ulcer) 30 January 1918
Did not marry
Died 28 June 1963 at North Sydney, NSW
Late of Neutral Bay, NSW

LARSEN, Flora Maud

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born Melbourne, Vic.
Daughter of Anders Olaf LARSEN and Caroline Rosalie Johanne Catherine UNKNOWN
Next of kin C LARSEN (friend)
Age 29 years
Training Perth Public Hospital
Enlisted 16 November 1917 at Fremantle, WA
Embarked 23 November 1917 in Fremantle per “Canberra”
Service in Egypt
Returned to Australia 17 July 1919 per “Dunluce Castle” On Duty
Appointment terminated 07 November 1919
Did not marry
Died 1964 in Perth WA
Aged 78 years

LAURITZ, Grace Lauritta

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 188 in Wentworth, NSW
Daughter of John LAURITZ and Rose nee LEIGH
Age 28 years
Training Perth Public Hospital
Enlisted 16 November 1917 at Fremantle, WA
Embarked 23 November 1917 in Fremantle per “Canberra”
Dangerously ill with Cholera within a month of arriving in India
Invalided to Australia 24 April 1918 per “Tofu”
Medically discharged 05 August 1918
Married Mr. D’Arcy LACEY
Died 1962 in NSW


LAW, Winifred

Sister
AANS

Born 1885 in Sydney, NSW
Daughter of Sydney James and Mary LAW
Age 29 years
Training Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Enlisted 31 July 1915
Embarked 31 July 1915
Service in Egypt, India, France and England
Ill with Influenza November 1918
Promoted to Sister 01 October 1918
Returned to Australia 06 September 1919 per “Berrima” On Duty
Appointment Terminated 07 January 1920
Did not marry
Died 14 April 1978 in NSW


LAWLER, Gertrude Frances

Born 01 October 1879 in Grantham, England
NOK Stepbrother Lieutenant JA UNDERWOOD 
Age 29 years – (Widow) 
Trained in Dublin as a nurse at Rotunda Hospital and qualified in Pharmacy at Dublin University. She worked for 4 years at the Richmond Royal Hospital in London.  She arrived in Victoria, Australia about 1912.  She worked in Sunbury Asylum, was Matron of the Bush Nursing Association in Edenhope and later on worked in  Deniliquin as a Matron and Dispenser. she resigned as Matron of Canberra Hospital she continued as a sister for Canberra Mothercraft Society. She was a sister at the East Lake Clinic until 1936
Enlisted 05 November 1917 
Embarked 26 November 1917 in Melbourne per “Indarra” 
Brief service in India 
Returned to Australia 04 September 1918 per “Karoola” 
Matron of Canberra Hospital by 1921

Canberra's Lady Pharmacist.

The following excerpt is from editorial notes in ''The Chemist and Druggist of Australasia," 6th April, 1921 :
"The first registered pharmacist in the Federal City, Miss Gertrude F. Lawler, Ph.C., who recently returned from Nauru, Central Pacific, and taken over her former position as dispenser and Sister in Charge of the Canberra Hospital, was born in Grantham, England, is the daughter of the late Captain Michael Lawler, R.E., sister of the late Major Jim Lawler, R.E., and the late Capt. Michael Lawler, I.N., cousin of the late Capt. Harry Linford,A.I.F., 3rd Coy. Imp. Camel Corps (killed in action). 
Miss Lawler is a graduate of Dublin  University, and was the only qualified lady pharmacist to enlist as a staff nurse in the A.I.F.  She has written many prize essays on diseases for "Una," the journal of the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses' Association, and is the author of the "Nursing Treatment for Infectious Diseases." Miss Lawler also has the distinction of being the first pharmaceutical chemist in the Federal City, Canberra,"'

Queanbeyan Age and Queanbeyan Observer Tuesday 26 April 1921 page 2

LAWRENCE, Helen Ruth

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 21 August 1883 in Melbourne, Vic
Sister to George Douglas LAWRENCE
Age 32 years
Training at Launceston Hospital
Enlisted 21 August 1915
Embarked 24 August 1915 per “Morea”
Transport duty from Suez and return per “Nestor”
Service Egypt, England and on the field in France
Returned to Australia 12 May 1918 per “Ruahine”
Medically Discharged (mastoiditis) 05 May 1919

LAWRENCE aka HETHERINGTON, Lydia May

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1880 in Clarence Town, NSW
Daughter of William LAURENCE and Sarah Ann nee CORREY
Sister of M J NUGENT
Age 37 years
Enlisted 07 September 1917 at Fremantle, WA
Embarked 25 October 1918 in Sydney per “Malta”
Service in India
Returned to Australia 09 November 1919 per “Charon”
Appointment Terminated 10 January 1920
Married Edwin William HETHERINGTON
Died 28 June 1951 in Perth, WA
Aged 69 years
Resided Victoria Park, WA
Buried Karrakatta Cemetery Presbyterian FA 696 - site expired


LAWRENCE, Mildred Ellen

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1884 at Cow Flat, NSW
Daughter of Richard Bryant LAWRENCE and Mary Ann nee WOODCOCK
Trained at the Salvation Army's Bethesda Hospital in Melbourne
Age 32 years
Enlisted 13 July 1917 in Queensland
Embarked 31 August 1917 in Sydney per “Wiltshire”
Service in Salonika
Ill with Malaria August 1918 and Influenza October 1918
Developed a Goitre by 1918 and reoccurring Malaria attacks
Returned to Australia 06 September 1919 per “Euripides”
Operated for goitre upon arrival in Australia, unfit for continued service
Discharged as medically unfit 22 April 1920
Did not marry
Resided 59 Oaks Avenue, Deewhy.
Died 12 October 1948 at RGH Condord, NSW
Aged 64 years
Buried French's Forest Cemetery, NSW
Picture
Mildred Lawrence entered the Melbourne Training Home on 20 September 1910 aged 26 from the South Melbourne Corps, and appointed to Bethesda 11 January 1912. Just how Mildred finally came to South Melbourne I have yet to ascertain. Mildred was born on 20 February 1885 at Cow Flat, just south of Bathurst NSW. If there was ever a town there it has now vanished, and all that remains is an old School House (now converted to a house) a derelict school residence and a small farming property. She grew up in Narrandera and when she died in Sydney. Her obituary was notified in the local Narrandera paper where she was described, amongst other things as a model scholar. Mildred enlisted on 13 July 1917. She along with Isabel Henderson was sent to the British Army Hospital at Salonica. Later she was posted to England where she receives, along with Isabel Henderson, a mention in Eva Eggleston’s diary. She was discharged from the AANS on 24 February 1920. Following furlough she was appointed to Bethesda and some three years later transferred to the Australia Eastern Territory holding various nursing managerial positions and retired with the rank of Brigadier as Matron of Bethesda Maternity Hospital, Sydney in 1945. She died some three years later at the Repatriation Hospital, Concord, Sydney. On her return to the Army she continued her service at various Maternity hospitals throughout the Salvation Army's Australia Eastern Territory till her retirement in 1945.

Courtesy of Dennis Garland and The Salvation Army
Matron Mildred Lawrence

Matron Mildred Lawrence, late at Marrickvllle Hospital, whose death took place at 113th A.G.H., Concord,on 12th October, was a nursing Sister in the first World War, having been loaned to the British Army for Service in Salonika. She also had 12  months' service after the war at Dartford England. On her return to Australia after a period in  hospital in Victoria, she was at a number of hospitals, and as matron of Bethesda, Marrickville. She was also on the Board of Examiners, many nurses from Narandera as well as other hospitals, having passed through her hands. Her school days were spent at the Narandera Public School.  She was well known here, having visited relatives  from time to time.  She is survived by her sister, Mrs. R. R. Wilson of Dee Why, and two brothers, Mr. George Lawrence, of Narandera. and Mr. William Lawrence, of Griffith. She was a cousin of Mrs. W. Casburn, of Dee Why, and a niece of Mrs. C. Lucas, of Coolamon.

Naranera Argus and Riverina Advertiser Tuesday 02 November 1948 page 2


LAWSON, Helen (Nellie)

Picture
Matron in Chief
AANS

Born 1882 at Rockhampton, Qld.
Daughter of Walter Adam LAWSON and Margaret nee EDGAR
Of Bolsover Street, Rockhampton, Qld.
Occupation prior to enlistment
Enlisted 07 September 1916 at Victoria Barracks, Qld
Aged 34 years
Embarked 14 September 1916 per 'Karmala'
Served in India and England
Returned to Australia 24 March 1919 per 'Lancashire'
Appointment terminated 12 May 1919
Did not marry
Died 1965 in Qld.

Queenslanders who fought in the Great War


LAWSON, M

Sister

Photograph taken c 1914 in Sydney, NSW
Picture

LAYCOCK, Olive Isabel

Nurse
AANS

Born 05 January 1893 in Beechworth, Vic.
Daughter of Henry Rowley LAYCOCK and Annie nee JONES
Age 25 years
Training Bendigo Hospital
Enlisted 06 January 1918
Embarked 28 January 1918 in Sydney per “Themistocles”
Transport duty England to Australia June 1918 per “Suevic”
Return to England September 1918 per Kanowna”
Returned to Australia per “Kanowna”
Appointment terminated 30 March
Married Oswald Welsgott DAHLENBURG
Died 12 May 1972 in Horsham, Vic.
​Resided Tarranginnie, Vic.

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