Australian Nurses in World War 1
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McPHAIL, Bessie

Sister
AANS

Born c1880 in Inverness, Scotland
Daughter of Alexander and Marjory McPHAIL
Of 27 Park St, Moonie Ponds, Melbourne, Victoria
Occupation prior to enlisting Nurse
Enlisted 23 August 1916
Embarked 10 February 1917 from Sydney per ‘Osterley’
Aged 36 years
Served no 4 Sea transport section, England & France
Returned to Australia 1 February 1919 per ‘Nestor’
Appointment Terminated 3 May 1919
Did not marry
Resided 15 Glen Iris Road, Camberwell, Vic.
Died 09 January 1948 in Royal Melbourne Hospital, Vic.

Courtesy of Meryl Naismith and Faye Threlfall
Picture
New Eye and Ear Hospital Matron

Miss B. McPhail, who has just been appointed matron of the Eye and Ear Hospital in succession to Miss E. Jones, was assistant matron for 13 years.

Born in Scotland, Miss Mcphail came to Victoria as a child and began her training as a nurse at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 1911. In the last war she spent four years with the Australian Army Nursing Service in Egypt and  France. After the war she was for seven years at Anzac Hostel, Brighton, where totally incapacitated soldiers are patients.

Knowing how eager she was to enlist for service in the last war, Miss McPhail is in agreement with nurses who are joining up today, but she admits that enlistments have led to a definite shortage of nurses for hospitals in Australia. So far the Eye and Ear Hospital has not been seriously affected by the shortage.

Miss McPhail thoroughly approves the pre-nurslng course which has been established in some of the girls' colleges of Melbourne.

Declining to commit herself to any theories on nursing, Miss McPhall said that she thought a fair amount of common sense was the most important attribute for a girl wishing to take nursing as a career.

Miss E. M. Jerome, formerly sister tutor at the hospital, has been appointed assistant matron.

The Argus Tuesday 17 December 1940 page 8


McPHAIL, Irene

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 24 January 1893 at Echuca, Vic.
Daughter of James Junius McPHAIL and Alice Maud nee UPTON
Next of kin Josephine McNEECE (Aunt)
Of South Yarra, Victoria
Occupation prior to enlisting Nurse
Trained 3 years Alfred Hospital
Enlisted 8 November 1917
Embarked 16 November 1917 from Sydney per ‘Canberra’
Aged 24 years
Served in Bombay, India
King George War Hospital Poona
Returned to Australia 1 September 1918 per ‘Kanowna’
Discharged as medically unfit 09 April 1920
Died 04 August 1920 of Pulmonary Tuberculosis at 11th Australian General Hospital (Caulfield Military Hospital) of Heart Failure after a long illness contracted abroad whilst serving in India.
Buried Brighton General Cemetery C of E Compt Z a 1689

The Graphic of Australia Friday 30 November 1917 page 3

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Picture

MacPHERSON, Ada Isobel

Sister
AANS

Born 10 August 1886 at Toowoomba, Qld
Daughter of Lachlan John MacPHERSON and Helen Mary nee SMITH
Address “Glendell” Boronia Ave,Burwood, NSW
Age 27 years
Enlisted 11 November 1914
Embarked 21 November 1914 in Brisbane per “Kyarra”
Service in Egypt, on the field in France and England
Promoted to Sister 01 December 1915
Suffered a Nervous Breakdown July and October 1916 in France followed by Influenza 1917
Returned to Australia per “Borda” 26 September 1917
Appointment Terminated 10 December 1917
Re-embarked 22 November 1917 in Sydney per “Malta”
Service in India
Promoted to Temp/Charge Sister 25 November 1918
Returned to Australia per “Plassy” 01 October 1919
Appointment Terminated 29 December 1919
Married Ottiwell Hope BREMNER in Sydney NSW in 1923
Died 21 July 1975 in New Zealand
Buried Taupo Services Cemetery, Taupo, Waikato, New Zealand
Picture
Picture

McPHERSON, Ella Eliza

Sister
AANS

Born 1884 in Wycheproof, Vic.
Daughter of Alexander McPHERSON and Christina nee McPHERSON
Of The Gums, Wycheproof, Victoria
Occupation prior to enlisting Nurse
Enlisted 16 August 1916
Embarked 22 August 1916 from Melbourne per ‘Mooltan’
Aged 32 years
Served in Bombay & England
Returned to Australia 23 October 1919 per ‘Kanowna’
Appointment Terminated 8 January 1920
Married Dr. Benjamin Benko ARMSTRONG in Melbourne in 1921
In 1933 was living in New Zealand
Died 08 August 1944 in New Zealand

Punch Thursday 31 August 1916 page 21
Picture

MacPHERSON, Harriet Margaret

Sister
AANS

Born 1888 in Roma, Qld.
Daughter of Angus McPHERSON and Harriett Dickson nee TURNER
Of 'Innes Craig' Roma, Qld.
Aged 29 years
Enlisted 13 December 1915
Embarked 'Kanowna' on staff 22 December 1915
Arrived in England 26 August 1916
Returned to Australia 07 September 1916
Embarked 22 March 1917
Served in London and France
Returned to Australia 16 January 1919 per 'Demosthenes'
Appointment terminated 10 July 1919
Did not marry
Died 09 April 1957 in Ashfield, NSW

MacPHERSON, Lorna

Nurse
British Red Cross

Born 1888 in Qld.
Daughter of Angus MacPHERSON and Harriett Dickson nee TURNER
Sister to Harriet Margaret MacPHERSON (AANS)
Educated at "Duporth" Oxley
Trained at Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic.
Nursed at Coulter Hospital, 6 Grovenor Square, London since 1915
Returning to Australia per 'Berrima'
Embarked 02 January 1919 free passage in return for services
The next letter is from a Queensland girl, Miss Lorna Macpherson, of Roma, who is taking her place in the Coulter Hospital, formerly the town residence of the Duke of Manchester, which has been handed over to the Hon. Mrs. Cyril Ward and Lady Juliet Duff for wounded soldiers. It is staffed mainly by Australians. Nurse Macpherson says :--I like my work immensely, and find the  work not at all hard. When Christmas morning dawned most of us felt rather homesick; we seemed to realise more keenly the distance that separated as from our dear ones. However, we soon pulled ourselves together, remembering what an awful time the men had had in the trenches, and that we most make it a happy day for them, and We succeeded, for they nearly all said it was one of the happiest they had spent. The wards were beautifully decorated, there was a Christmas tree laden with gifts, a most generous dinner with everything nice as could be, the plum puddings were lighted in the kitchen, and carried in by, the V.A.D.'s in procession, while the men cheered. Nor were the nurses forgotten. It was kind and sweet of Lady Duff and Mrs. Ward to think of them. We each got a silver chain bag purse and silver pencil, with "Coulter Hospital. Christmas. 1915 on it. Isn't it a nice memento to have. I'm on day duty again, on the first floor, with Sister L (from Fiji). I have the Australia ward, and you will be interested to hear that the elder downs on the beds were given by the"Brisbane Courier" Patriotic Fund. The Brisbane Y.M.C.A. has sent hundreds of pillow slips. The first floor ward is the show one ; it used to be the reception-room, and the walls and ceilings are most gorgeous in white and gold, but of course unsuitable for a hospital. We got a fresh convoy in from France last night but none very seriously wounded, mostly suffering from trench feet. Doesn't it seem awful to think it is so cold and wet that it actually burns the flesh off.  It is interesting to know that another sister is on a hospital ship " some where at sea," and still another who was in England when war was declared took up Red Cross work, joining the V.A.D. The latter has received an appointment at King George's Hospital, London. A trio of brave Queensland girls and a braver Queensland mother who owns them !

The Queenslander Saturday 08 April 1916 page 5

Saturday afternoon a similar welcome as extended to Sisters Lorna and Margaret Macpherson, daughters of Mr.
Mrs. MacPherson, of "Inniscraig,''of whom recently returned to after four years nursing service.

Sister Lorna Macpherson served  continuously in a British Red Cross  in London, and her sister was on hospital ships sailing between Australia and Egypt and England in which she made four voyages, and was then transferred to land serve at Harefield hospital (England), subsequently to a hospital at Hardelot, near Boulogne, in France. Then she contracted Spanish influenza, returned to England, and was invalided to Australia, but having recovered her health she has  now reported for duty a Randwick hospital, Sydney.  The sisters were entertained at afternoon tea on Saturday by Mrs. Flower, President of the Roma branch of the Red Cross Society, a large number of ladies being present, and a most enjoyable afternoon was spent.

Western Star and Roma Advertiser Saturday 12 July 1919 page 3


McRAE, Annie Fry

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1893 at Clear Lake, Vic.
Daughter of Kenneth McRAE and Mary Jane nee FRY
Of 297 Dandenong Rd, Windson, Victoria
Occupation prior to enlisting Trained Nurse
Enlisted 5 June 1917
Embarked 12 June 1917 from Melbourne per ‘Mooltan’
Aged 23 years
Served in Salonika & Nursing duty on board Pt Darwin for Australia
Returned  to Australia 23 March 1919 per ‘Ceramic’
Appointment Terminated 2 May 1919
Married Stanley Morcom ALLEN  in 1921 in Melbourne, Vic.
Died 12 July 1974 in Melbourne, Vic.
​Resided Toorak, Vic.
Aged 80 years
Cremated Springvale Botanical Cemetery Brind, Wall  AE, Niche 21

Picture

McRAE, Catherine Evelyn

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1886 at Clear Lake, Vic. 
Daughter of Kenneth McRAE and Mary Jane nee FRY
Enlisted 28 May 1917
Embarked 12 June 1917 per 'Mooltan'
Appointment terminated 30 March 1919
Did not marry
Buried Horsham Cemetery
Picture

McRAE, Elizabeth

 Sister
No 1 AGH
AANS


Born Cootamundra, NSW
Daughter of John McRAE
Of "Ben Lomond', Minto, NSW
Occupation prior to enlistment Nurse
Trained 4 years at Orange Hospital, Orange, NSW 1903 - 1907
Aged 37 years
Dark Complexion with Blue Eyes and Dark Brown Hair
5 feet 7 inches 
Religion Presbyterian
Enlisted 26 April 1915 at Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW
Nursing duties per Hospital Ship 'Nestor' to Australia from Suez 09 February 1916
​Embarked at Melbourne 02 April 1916 per 'Euripides'
Detached for duty at 2nd Aust. Aux Hosptial, Southall 03 January 1917
Proceeded to  France 11 April 1917
Returned to London 19 March 1917
Proceeded to France 01 September 1917
Returning to Australia from England per 'Takada' 
Disembarking at Columbo - granted 2 months leave in India 15 August 1919
Returned to Australia 29 December 1919 per 'Ormonde'
Discharged 27 February 1920

MacRAE, Helen Alexandra

Staff Nurse/Masseuse
AANS

Born 1881 in Goulburn, NSW
Daughter of Alexander MacRAE and Ann nee STEEL
Of City Bank, Redfern, Sydney, NSW
Occupation prior to enlisting: Masseuse
Enlisted 18 August 1915 at Sydney, NSW
Embarked 21 August 1915 from Sydney per ‘Morea’
Aged 27 years
Served in England & France
Returned to Australia per No 2 Hospital Ship 13 July 1917
Struck off strength on No 2 Hospital Ship 25 September 1917
Remained in Australia
Married Dr. Alfred ALCORN  in 1918
Died 24 June 1970 in Katoomba, NSW
​Late of Echo Point, Katoomba, NSW

McRAE, Kate (Catherine) Evelyn

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1888 at Horsham, Vic.
Daughter of Mary J McRAE
Of 297 Daudenough Rd, Windsor, Melbourne, Victoria
Occupation prior to enlisting Nurse
Enlisted 7 November 1918
Embarked 9 November 1918 from Sydney per ‘Wiltshire’
Aged 30 years
Served in Egypt & Salonika
Returned to Australia 2 March 1919 per ‘Demosthenes’
Appointment Terminated 30 March 1919
​Did not marry
Died 24 October 1966 in Vic.
Resided Hawksburn, Vic.

MacROW, N

Nurse
VAD


Embarked for Australia from Liverpool per 'Megnatic' 09 January 1920

McSPEDDEN, Catherine Christina

Sister
AANS

Born 1880 in Bathurst, NSW
Daughter of Samuel McSPEDDEN and Mary Ann nee McCOLL
Of Bathurst, NSW
Occupation prior to enlisting Nurse
Enlisted 19 June 1915
Embarked 14 July 1915 from Sydney per ‘Orsova’
Aged 34 years
Served in England & France
Returned to Australia 8 July 1919 per ‘Osterley’
Appointment Terminated 6 September 1919
Married Henry Simpson WARK in 1928
Widowed - late of Bathurst, NSW
Died 11 May 1944
Resided 11 Bromborough Road, Rosville, NSW
​Late of Roseville, formerly of Bathurst, NSW
Privately Cremated

Picture

McVEIGH, Frances Agnes

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1892 in Heathcote, Vic.
Daughter of David McVEIGH and Bridget nee DONOVAN
Of 101 Neale St Bendigo, Victoria
Occupation prior to enlisting Trained Nurse
Trained at Bendigo Hospital, Victoria
Enlisted 28 August 1916
Embarked 29 May 1917 from Melbourne per ‘Kniva’
Aged 25 years
Served Victoria War Hospital, Bombay, India
Temporary Duty on board hospital ship Sililia
Gerard Freeman Thomas Hospital, Bombay, India
Returned to Australia 31 March 1919 per ‘City of Cairo’
Appointment Terminated 8 June 1919
Married Frank Frederick COFFEY in 1929
Died 03 February 1974 in NSW
​Late of Berala, NSW

McWATERS, Lily Victoria

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 22 September 1888 at Leighton, Burra, SA
Daughter of William James McWATERS and Fanny nee CHIRGWIN
NOK: Grandmother: S. MCWATERS
Of Leighton, near Burra South Australia
Occupation prior to enlisting Nurse
Trained 4 years Burra Public Hospital
Enlisted 7 June 1917 in Adelaide, SA
Embarked 14 June 1917 from Adelaide per ‘Mooltan’
Aged 28 years
Served in Salonika
Returned to Australia 18 February 1919 per ‘Morvada’
Appointment Terminated 7 June 1919
Married Francis Clifford HUMPHRIS in 1920
In 1943, Francis Clifford Humphris was granted a divorce against Lily Victoria Humphris of Northfield Mental Hospital on the confinement for mental disease without likelihood of recovery.
Family of 3 boys and 1 girl
She died 20 November 1957 at Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide.
Cause of death Myocardial Infarction
Aged 70 years
Resided 51 Clifton Street, Prospect, SA
Cremated 22 November 1957. 
Her cremated remains were interred at Centennial Park South Est, Rose Bed S10, Position 016

Our Boys at the front

Staff-Nurse Lil McWaters, writing from Salonika; states that the cold there is intense, in fact the  climate altogether is abominable. The nurse was feeling particularly lonely when writing, and says. like the soldiers. Letters from home and friends, are the best things they get. and she would like to hear from any of her friends. Food stuffs and comforts are a frightful price, eggs being 10d each, and there is always a special price made for Australians. Their work is very strenuous, and the hours long. She was so too well when writing, suffering from rheumatism, a common complaint in those parts with the nurses, several of whom were also suffering very much from frost-bitten hands and feet.

Burra Records Wednesday 8th May 1918 page 3

Humphris— McWaters

A quiet but pretty wedding was solemnised in the Baptist Church, Mile End, when Mr F. Clifford Humphris, of Leighton (late Artillery A.I.F. ), youngest son of Mrs M. Humphris, Henley Beach, was united in marriage to Miss Lily McWaters (late Staff Nurse, A I F ), grand-daughter of the late Mr and Mrs S. McWaters, 'Myoli ' Leighton. The church was very prettily decorated with foliage and wedding bells. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. T. Vigis, and only the immediate members of the respective families were present. The bride, who was given away by her uncle, Mr A. E McWaters, Leighton. wore her travelling costume, a modish creme coat and skirt, and a smart black hat.  She was attended by Miss Alma Hill (cousin) as bridesmaid,who wore a dainty putty coloured costume. The happy couple left the church to the strains of the Wedding March, then per motor for a brief honeymoon in the hills.. A number of very beautiful presents, including several cheques were received.

Burra Record Wednesday 18 August 1920 page 5

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