Australian Nurses in World War 1
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NICHOLAS, Shirley Beatrice

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1895 in Caulfield, Melbourne, Vic.
Daughter of William NICHOLAS and Alice Flower nee ELLIOTT
Of South Hampton, Greenbushes, WA
Aged 22 years
Trained at Children's Hospital, Perth, WA
Enlisted 16 November 1917 at No 8 AGH,  Fremantle, WA
Embarked 23 November 1917 per 'Canberra'
Served in Egypt
Returned to Australia per 'Wahehe' 06 December 1919
Appointment terminated 07 January 1920
Married Perce Horton MOORE in 1920 in Vic
Resided in Benalla in 1938
Died 05 November, 1988 in Benalla, Vic.
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The engagement is announced between Shirley Beatrice Nicholas, late Nursing Staff, A.I.F., youngest daughter of Mrs Nicholas, Southampton, Balingup, and the late William Nicholas, F.G S. London, and sister of the late Major Clive Nicholas, A.I.F., and Mr. H. Percy Moore, of the National Bank, Melbourne, late Lieutenant, 3rd A.M.G.S. youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Moore. Linden, Benalla Victoria.

Western Mail Thursday 11 November 1920 page 27

NICHOLLS, Edna Clare

Sister
AANS
2nd Australian General Hospital

Born 18 April 1887 at Prospect, SA
Daughter of Josiah John NICHOLLS and Janet nee McFEAT
Of Main North Road, Prospect, SA
Aged 28 years
Embarked 26 August 1915
Enlisted 20 March 1916 in Cairo, Egypt
Served in France
Returned to Australia per 'Themistocles' to Melbourne 08 Aguust 1919
Appointment terminated 27 October 1919
Edna Clare Nicholls was Matron at Naracoorte Hospital for 17 years to 1942.  
She died Kensington Park, South Australia 19 April 1960.  
Cremated at Centennial Park on  20 April 1960.

NICHOLLS, Florence Annie

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Sister
AANS
1st Australian General Hospital

Born 1884 in Richmond, Vic.
Daughter of James Hampton NICHOLLS and Anne nee SILSBEY
Resided Kalgoorlie, WA
Enlisted 13 January 1915
Aged 30 years
Embarked 26 August 1915
Served in England and France
Returned to Australia 07 March 1919 per 'Kanowna'
Appointment terminated 08 June 1919
Married Walter Broomfield BLYTH
Died in 1954 in Ballarat, Vic.
Interred Creswick New Cemetery

Of this State, who has been awarded the Royal Red Cross for meritorious work in Egypt.  She is at Harefield Hospital.

Sunday Times (Perth) 
Sunday 20 August 1916 page 1S

www.awm.gov.au
P00379.001

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Awarded Royal Red Cross (2nd Class)
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 21 September 1916
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Page 2622, position 63
Date of London Gazette: 3 June 1916
Location in London Gazette: Page 5602, position 5

RED CROSS HEROINE
SISTER F. A. NICHOLLS

Among those who figured in the Birthday Honor list as having secured a Royal Red Cross (Second Class) was
Sister F. A. Nicholls, of Richmond. She trained in West Australia, and went to Egypt with the first nursing unit. 
Sister F. A. Nicholls is now at the Harefield Park Hospital, England.

WEEKLY TIMES Saturday 17 March 1917 page 10

NICHOLLS, Ruby

Staff Nurse
AANS

2nd Australian General Hospital

Born 1885 in Brisbane, Qld.
Daughter of Charles Henry NICHOLLS and Maria nee BURNETT
Of 'Trelawney' Stuart St., Toowoomba, Qld.
Aged 28 years
Enlisted 12 July 1915 in Cairo, Egypt
Embarked 14 July 1915
Served in France
Invalided to England with Enteritis 06 April 1917
Returned to Australia per 'Karoola' 29 August 1917
Discharged as medically unfit 18 August 1918
Did not marry
Died 29 November 1961 in Qld.
Aged 76 years
Buried Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens Columbarium 12 Section 9

Queenslanders who fought in the Great War
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OUR NURSES IN FRANCE. INTERESTING EXPERIENCES. BY A TOOWOOMBA NURSE.
Sister Ruby Nicholls, writing from Marseilles under date June 18th., says: 'We heard on Friday that we were to get Australian letters that after-noon, but did not. Then we expected them Saturday morning, then in the afternoon, but imagine our disgust when we heard we would not get them till Monday. Fancy home letters in on Friday and not to get them till Monday. The Postal Corp have arrived from Egypt and refused to work Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Our indignation knew no bounds. We wished them all kinds of bad things, such as getting sick and having to come into hospital, and into our line of tents, etc. Anyhow I don't know if a little bird whispered to them the awful things they might expect if ever they fell into our hands, or if consciences prompted them, but at 4 p.m. word came that the letters were sorted and in our box. Oh! the wild rush to don cap and cape (those of us who were off duty for the afternoon) and fly over. Such pushing, exclaiming and scrambling to reach our own pigeon-hole there always is, but to the time we are as happy as possible, and forget every thing and everybody. I only got seven, but expect more, as I believe they are not all sorted. Yes, dear, I got your photo. It stands on a kerosene box (in a frame) along with my wash dish, spirit lamp, billy can, and about two dozen other things. Oh, and there is a big bottle with 'Stout' printed on it near you, but it's quite alright dear, it's only methy-lated spirits in it. We expect to be on the move shortly. I think Bou-logne will be our next stop for a while." A week later Sister Nicholls writes "There is much to tell since last Sunday. So much is often crowded into a few days here. Last Monday we were working as usual when orders went up at 6 p.m. that 50 of us were to leave next day for ten different Imperial Hospitals. For the present our unit is split up and only about twenty left in Marseilles. Our luggage had to be packed and labelled by 8 a.m. next morning. Some of the Sisters had to be on duty all night, others till 9.30, but my luck was in, I was off at 8 p.m. We had to provide our own conveyances to take us to the station, so engaged ten motors. One patient said he didn't know which it looked most like, a wedding or funeral. We reaehed the station at 5 p.m. and boarded the Paris express. We could scarcely realise that we were really and truly in a train bound for Paris. We had bully beef, biscuits, cheese, bread and marmalade put on by the military, but most of us had got something ourselves. And breathe it not, I took my spirit lamp, tin lid, and billy, and we made tea and hot buttered toast on the train. The meals at the dining car on the train were too expensive for me. Well, from Marseilles to Paris is about 400 miles and the train only stopped once during the whole journey— at Lyons at 12.30 for about five minutes. That was the only town we saw the whole way. It is all beautiful green country, with millions of wild flowers everywhere. As one goes further north it gets prettier. Although we thought Marseilles lovely, but here, I never saw such beautiful green slopes and long stretches of lovely cultivated fields. Much of it is fruit-growing country. It was very cold travelling at night, and although we wore our heavy dresses, coats and rugs, at times we were half frozen. But we at last reached Paris. Never in my wildest dreams had a visit to Paris entered my head till I joined the A.A.N.S. It is a tremendous station, but not so busy as you would expect. We were divided into tens for the different places. My friend and I were very glad to be sent to Boulogne (No. 13 Stationary Hospital). It is a sort of clearing station. Cases are just dressed and passed on to other places. Every day there are hospital ships loaded sent to England. It is only two hours' journey by boat, then two in the train to London—only as long as you would take to go to Brisbane. We get our meat and milk over from there (England) every day, and great baskets of flowers from the wealthy people. We reached Paris early in the morning and stayed till 7 p.m. After fixing our luggage we had breakfast, took a taxi and went for a drive all round the suburban parts fro one hour, and back through the most beautiful parks to the fashion able part of the city. There were so many things we wanted to know about, and neither of us knew much about French history (I have been reading it up since I came to the country). I suggested we go to Cook's Tourist Bureau and get a guide, which we did, and it was worth more than we paid him. It is a beautiful city. There are many fine and very old buildings. We only visited one Church (R.C.). It is 800 years old and took 150 years to build. It is really wonderful. The pictures and stained glass windows are exquisite. We also saw the two cushions on which Napoleon and his bride knelt when they were married, and the hats of two old Cardinals which are said to be over 600 years old, and the palace in which Louis XIV. used to live.The Museum and Art Gallery are closed on account of the war. They are lovely buildings, as is also the Grand Opera House. After dismissing our guide we had lunch and wandered round the city. We went to two big business places and looked at things. No one troubled about us so we looked to our heart's content. They were seven stories high ; we went up five stories, but oh! you could spend days looking, and hundreds of pounds in a few minutes. We spent a very happy day and were glad of the chance, as we may never get another. Left for our destination at 7 p.m. At one place we passed a big camp of soldiers. We took off our looslet capes (the badge of the Australian Sister) and waved them. I guess they were 'our boys' for they waved madly and their cheers could be heard above all the din of the train. We are now at our new station. The patients are in tents and we live in an old-fashioned two-story place, where Napoleon slept for two nights, and on the lovely green outside he is said to have massed his troops for Waterloo. I believe our own hospital is to soon be let up close to the firing line. I hope so. When our boys were leaving Egypt they were told they were in for a hot time, but were promised they would be nursed by their 'own Sisters.' That is as it should be. No one understands our boys as we do, and when they are sick or wounded, they feel we are just their very own, and no matter how they are suffering they always have a smile for we Sisters, and say 'I'm O.K. Sister, don't you worry.' Oh, the people at home don't know how brave their boys are. God bless them for their courage and patience. Remember me to all old friends, and say I will do my best for the boys, especially the boys from dear old Toowoomba. I still belong to No. 2 A.G.H. ; we are only loaned here." 

Darling Downs Gazette Saturday 12 August 1916 page 5

NICHOLSON, Kathleen Wallfield

Sister
AANS
1st Australian General Hospital

Born 1881 in Bairnsdale, Vic.
Daughter of Antony Mann NICHOLSON and Clara Annie nee SANSOM
Enlisted 20 April 1915 in Egypt
Aged 29 years
Served in Egypt
Invalided to Australia 15 January 1916 per 'Wandilla'
Appointment terminated 19 April 1916
Married George Christopher Frederick SPREADBURY 02 September 1920 in Melbourne, Vic.
She and her husband lived in Canada for some years but returned to Australia
Died 10 August 1950 in Hobart, Tas.
Aged 69 years
Resided Bellerive, Tas.
Cremated Cornelian Bay Cemetery- no burial details
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SPREADBURY.-On August 10, 1950, at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Kathleen Wallfield, beloved wife of George F. Spreadbury, of High St., Bellerive.  (Sister Nicholson, A.A.N.S., 1st A.I.F.)

SPREADBURY.-Friends of the late Mrs. George F. Spreadbury are respectfully invited to attend her funeral, which will move from the funeral chapel of the undersigned on Saturday (Tomorrow), at 10 a.m., arriving at the Crematorium Chapel, Cornelian Bay, at 10.20 a.m.

Courtesy of David Milne

NICHOLSON, May

Among the very first nurses to leave London for the front was a Hawthorn girl of Melbourne Hospital fame and distinction, in the person of Nurse May Nicholson, who was travelling abroad with Dr. and Mrs. Evalt at the outbreak of the war. Immediately Nurse Nicholson made for London, handed in her name, and was eventually accepted for field service in an Australian Hospital unit. She is by now in the midst of things in the North of France

Punch Thursday 15 October 1914 page 32

NICHOLSON,  Mary Eveline

Sister
AANS

Born 21 April 1871 at Hawthorn, Vic.
Daughter of Robert NICHOLSON and Dorothy Jane nee NEASOM
Of 'Sunny Nook' Wade St., Golden Square, Vic.
Aged 44 years
Trained at Castlemaine Hospital
Enlisted 24 June 1915
Embarked 17 July 1915
Suffered Tonsilites in Australian Hospital Wimereux
Served in Egypt
Returned to Australia 18 March 1918 per 'Ulysses'
Enlisted 14 October 1918
Re-Embarked 16 October 1918 from Sydney for Bombay India per 'Malta'
Posted to 34th Welsh General Hospital Deolali, for duty 14 November 1918
Transferred to Hospital Ship 'Vita' 13 March 1919
Returned to Australia per 'Medic'
Appointment terminated 25 April 1920
Did not marry
Died 14 March 1939 at Melbourne
Private Funeral - cremated Fawkner Cemetery
Late of 8 Rochester Road, Canterbury, Melbourne, Vic.

Table Talk Thursday 29 July 1915 page 21
Punch Thursday 29 July 1915 page 21
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Sister Mary Eveline Nicholson, A.R.R.C., has had a varied career in the military service. She has done duty at Harefield Hospital, London; Abbrassia, Egypt, and Macleod Military Hospital. She has also been a sister in charge on an Australian troopship. Now she Is matron of the hospital ship Vita on the route from Bombay up the Persian Gulf and on to Suez. Sister Nicholson. returned to Australia last year, but left for Bombay in November in charge of a contingent of Australian nurses, and later was appointed head sister and acting matron to the hospital at Deolali, a large camp in the hills. She trained at the Castlemaine Hospital, and is a daughter of Mr Robert Nicholson. Golden Square, Bendigo.
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Awarded Royal Red Cross (2nd Class)
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 23 May 1919
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Page 890, position 46
Date of London Gazette: 1 January 1919
Location in London Gazette: Page 58, position 4

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NICHOLSON, Robina Maude

Sister
AANS


Born 1889 in Hawthorn, Vic.
Daughter of William Hunter NICHOLSON and Helen nee NELSON
Of Morning Gully, Bookton, WA
Aged 27 years
Trained at Perth Public Hospital
Enlisted 11 December 1916
Embarked 12 December 1916 from Fremantle per 'Kaiser-I-Hind'
Served in Egypt
Returned to Australia 15 November 1917 per 'Wiltshire'
Enlisted 25 January 1918 at No 8 AG Hospital, Frematle, WA
Embarked 13 March 1918 pre 'Ormonde'
Served in Bombay
Returned to Australia 03 November 1919 per 'Mahana'
Appointment terminated 04 December 1919
Did not marry
Died 15 September 1978 in WA
Aged 90 years
Resided Rowethorpe Bentley
Buried Karrakatta Cemetery Congregational BA 0196A - site expired

NICKELS, Gertrude Evelyn

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 25 July 1893 at Taylors Gap, near Kapunda, SA
Daughter of Hubert NICKELS and Elizabeth Marion Christina nee FINLAYSON
Of 'Willow Glen' Gumeracha, SA
Enlisted 07 June 1917 at Keswick, SA
Aged 23 years
Trained at Adelaide Hospital
Embarked 14 June 1917 from Adelaide per 'Mooltan'
Served in Salonika
Returned to Australia per 'Wiltshire' 05 October 1918
Appointment terminated 24 June 1919
Married Alexander Wallace COUSTON 24 July 1920 in Woollahra, NSW
Lived in South Australia after marriage.
Died 20 July 1984
Aged 90 years
Buried Naracoorte Cemetery
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NICKOLL, Emily Mary

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1895 in Carlton, Melbourne, Vic.
Daughter of Henry NICKOLL and Elizabeth Harriett nee BOOKER
Of Paynesville, WA
Aged 22 years
Trained at Children's Hospital, Perth
Enlisted at 21 December 1917 at No 8 AG Hospital, Fremantle, WA
Embarked 25 October 1918 per 'Malta' for Bombay
Posted to Colaba War Hospital, Bombay 14 November 1918
Transferred to GFT Hospital, Bombay 14 February 1919
Admitted with Lobar Pneumonia to Sisters Hospital Colaba 03 May 1919
Returned to Australia from Bombay per 'Hungaria' 12 July  1919
Appointment terminated 07 November 1919
Did not marry
She died at the Repat General Hospital in Perth, WA on 19 April 1979.
Aged 83 years
Buried Karrakatta Cemetery Lawn 5 W6 0107
​
Nursing experience in a Bombay hospital and at No. 8 Base Hospital in Western Australia during the last war has made Matron E. M. Nicholl well suited for her position as matron of the new 110 Military Hospital.
She is at present matron of Lucknow Military Hospital, and will move into her new quarters when the new hospital is ready. Matron Nicholl spent two years at the Jeraid ' Freeman Thomas Hospital in Bombay, attached to an Australian army unit, during the last war. After a term at No. 8 Base Hospital she went to the Eastern States and later returned to spend three years as a Sister at Lemnos Hospital. Before being made matron of the military hospital, she was for ten years on the staff of, the Children's Hospital, where she first did her training, and was acting-matron there. She was released from that position to take up her present duties. Matron Nicholl is generous in her praise of the V.A.Ds. of this war. 'They are doing a very good job of work,' she said. 'They are very interested in the work, and take a great interest in the hospital altogether.'

The Daily News (Perth) Wednesday 22 October 1941 page 20

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NICOL, Fanny Isabella

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 01 June 1884 at Ballarat, Vic.
Daughter of John NICOL and Flora nee McFARLANE
Of Tower Farm, Rochester, Vic.
Aged 30 years
Trained at Gippsland Hospital, Sale, Vic.
Enlisted 11 July 1917
Embarked 31 August 1917 from Melbourne per 'Wiltshire'
Served in Abbassia, Egypt
Returned to Australia per 'Kildonian Castle' 04 April 1919
Discharged as medically unfit 13 June 1919
Did not marry
Died 1956 in Sale, Vic.
Cremated 23 May 1956 at Springvale Botanical Cemetery and remains scattered

Courtesy of Janette Davis
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NIELSEN, Mary Margaretta

Sister
AANS

Born 1885 in Rushworth, Vic.
Daughter of iels Jorgen NIELSEN and Mara nee HAGEMAN
Of Moora St., Rushworth, Vic.
Formerly on staff of the Maroopna Hospital
Aged 30 years
Enlisted 16 August 1916
Embarked 19 August 1916
Nursing duties aboard 'Nestor' in Suez 09 February 1916
Served in Egypt and France
Returned to Australia per 'Ormonde' 29 December 1919
Appointment terminated 21 March 1920
Married Percy Cecil THOMSON in 1920
Died 1940 in Brighton, Vic.

Photograph Table Talk Thursday 16 September 1915 page 26
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NILSON, Norma Mabel

Sister
AANS

Born 20 September 1879 at St. Leonards, NSW
Daughter of Arvid NILSON and Jane nee BEST
Sister of Mrs LIOLEY
Of 'Exelli Terrace' Madderin St., Redfern, NSW
Aged 35 years
Enlisted 11 November 1914 at Brisbane, Qld.
Embarked 21 November 1914
Served in France
Returned to Australia with Pulmonary Tuberculosis per 'Karoola' 04 November 1915
Discharged 02 June 1916
Re-enlisted for Home Service in Brisbane April 1917
Appointment terminated 19 November 1919
Did not marry
Died 29 December 1961 in Qld.
Aged 82 years
Buried Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens
Columbarium 12 Section 17
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NISBET, Margaret

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1891 in Armadale, Melbourne, Vic.
Daughter of James NISBET and Isabella Hope nee AITKEN
Of 14 Chatsworth Road, Prahan, Vic.
Aged 25 years
Trained at Melbourne Hospital
Enlisted 01 May 1917
Embarked 09 May 1917 at Sydney per 'A38'
Served in England and France
Returned to Australia 03 January 1920 per 'Orsova'
Appointment terminated 24 April 1920
Married Percival Alec SHEPARD in 1924
Died 31 December 1962 in Forbes, NSW

www.awm.gov.au
P09258.005
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NOBBS, Evelyn  (Eva) Jane

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 08 December 1889 on Norfolk Island, NSW
Daughter of Rev. George Rawdon French NOBBS and Emily Harriet nee CAPRON
Of Ferry Road, Norfolk Island
Worked at the Wellington Hospital
Aged 25 years
Enlisted 16 June 1915
Embarked 16 June 1915
Served in Egypt, England and France
Returned to Australia 12 March 1920 per 'Fredrickshruh'
Appointment terminated 11 June 1920
Resided at 'Aghostos' Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, NSW in 1921
Married Frederick Sidney DALRYMPLE
Died 04 November 1972 in NSW
​Late of Pymble, NSW

Read more here
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Awarded Royal Red Cross (2nd Class)
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 20 November 1919
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Page 1726, position 7
Date of London Gazette: 31 July 1919
Location in London Gazette: Page 9829, position 2


NOBLE, Frances Elizabeth

Sister
AANS
50th General Hospital

Born 1891 in Robertson, NSW
Daughter of William Henry NOBLE and Frances Clara nee KENNEDY
Of Norfolk Road, Epping, NSW
Aged 26 years
Educated Ladies College, Manly
Enlisted 10 May 1917
Embarked 09 June 1917 from Melbourne per 'Mooltan'
Served in Salonica
Returned to Australia per 'Ceramic' 03 October 1919
Discharged as medically unfit 11 April 1920
Married Arthur LYDDALL MC in 1928 in San Francisco, USA
They returned to Australia and Arthur became Superintendent of Legacy Park, Narrabeen with Frances assisting him.  It was a war veteran's home. 
She died 19 July 1962 in NSW.
​Late of Cremorne, NSW

All Australia Memorial NSW Editon 
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NOLAN, Josephine

Sister
AANS
British India Service

Born Gaffneys Creek, Vic.
Sister of Vincent NOLAN
Of Chancery Lane, Melbourne Vic.
Resided 'St. Comans' Lisson Grove, Hawthorn, Vic.
Aged 32 years
Enlisted 07 December 1916
Embarked 26 December 1916 from Melbourne per 'Mooltan'
Served in Bombay India
Retured to Australia per 'Shropshire' 22 January 1920
Appointment terminated 01 April 1920

NORMAN, Olive H

Sister
Australian Red Cross

Embarked for France per 'Kanowna' from NSW 04 July 1916
Returning to Australia per 'Anchises' embarked 28 February 1919

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Embarked for France per 'Kanowna' 04 July 1916 from NSW

Part of a party of twenty Australian Red Cross nurses, sponsored by the NSW Jockey Club, and know as the 'Bluebirds' because of their blue uniforms.
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NORRIS, Matilda

Sister
AANS

Born Hartley Vale, NSW
Sister of Angelina Harriett NORRIS
Of 9 Marine View off Wolfe Street, Newcastle, NSW
Aged 37 years
Enlisted 30 August 1916
Embarked 08 December 1916 from Sydney per 'Kaiser-I-Hind'
Served in Egypt
Embarked at Port Said for UK for Non Military Employment per 'Nile' 26 June 1919
Returned to Australia 02 February 1920 per 'Borda'
Appointment terminated 18 March 1920

SOMEWHERE in South America are Sister Norris and Sister Behrens, who bought a hospital in Goulburn after  their return from the war, and did so well that they booked on an American liner for a world's tour, but upon reaching Honolulu happened on Sister Bassetti with a hospital of her own, and looking for two trained assistants.

The temptation was too great, the two left the ship, cancelled their passages and settled in the tropics with their  old companion for a twelve-month, and beat it for Valparaiso, and, crossing the Andes, ended up somewhere in Buenos Aires, where they were caught up in the vortex of the life of the Argentines and where they disappeared for a little while only, let us hope.

Norris, Behrens, Simpson, and"Tommy" Thomson—all of the Fourteenth—were affectionately known to the soldiery as the "Charlie Chaplin Family," and they left for the war together from Sydney Hospital.

The Australian Women's Weekly Saturday 27 January 1934 page 24

NORTHCOTE aka TAYLOR, Doris

Staff Nurse
AANS
Convalescnet Depot England
2nd AGH

Born Sydney, NSW
Daughter of Edward NORTHCOTE
Of 'Highfield', Wallace Avenue, Toorak, Melbourne, Vic.
Enlisted 10 May 1915
Aged 27 years
Embarked 18 May 1915
Served in England
Served in France 05 May 1917 - 31 December 1917
Returned to Australia per 'Somali' 08 February 1919
Appointment terminated 12 April 1919

Mentioned in despatches
Promulgated in Military Order No 290 
14 July 1917

Resided St. Johnstone, Campbell Town, Tas. in August 1960

NORTON, Annie

Sister
AANS


Born Snagg Farm, Somerset, England
Daughter of Richard NORTON and Mary nee LONGMAN
Of Capella Claremont Line, Qld.
Occupation prior to enlistment Nurse
Enlisted 03 November 1915 at 1st Military District
Aged 37 years
Embarked 04 November 1915
Embarked for France from London 08 February 1917
Served at 7th Stationary Hospital France 11 February 1917
Served at 25th General Hospital France 11 July 1917
Served at 29th General Hospital France 21 November 1917
Served at 25th General Hospital France 24 January 1918
Returned to Australia per 'Zealandic' 23 August 1919
Appointment terminated 19 November 1919
Died 1920 in Emerald, Queensland.

Queenslanders who fought in the Great War
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Matron Norton, of the Emerald Hospital, died yesterday morning at Emerald following on an operation the previous night. She was matron at Emerald prior to going abroad, where she served in hospitals in England and France, and only returned to take up her old position two months ago. Her parents are very old and respected residents of Capella.

The Brisbane Courier Tuesday 23 March 1920 page 9

NORTON, Ellen Agnes

Staff Nurse
AANS


Born 1889 at Capella, Qld.
Daughter of Richard NORTON and Mary nee LONGMAN
Of Capella Claremont Line, Qld.
Occupation prior to enlistment Nurse
Enlisted 03 November 1915 1st Military District
Embarked 09 December 1915 per 'Orsova'
Served in France
Returned to Australia 23 August 1919 per 'Zealandic'
Appointment terminated 19 October 1919
Married Charles Victor JARROT 
Died 1982 in Qld.

Queenslanders who fought in the Great War
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NURSE E. A. NORTON.

The following are extracts from letters received by Mrs M. Hansen, of Capella,
from Nurse E. A. Norton:-
"When I tell you that both Annie and I are in France, I guess that you will think that we have reached the height of our ambition. But our ideas have changed with the cold weather, and now we feel as if we would love to have a good hot day in Capella. " We have seen a good deal since we left; but if we had taken this trip for pleasure, we would have been home long ago. Still, if we find the cold awful, we have to remember the boys in the trenches. Their sufferings must be too cruel for words to express. Since our arrival we have been broken up and scattered about in all directions. Annie, three others, and I are working at the same hospital. It is for officers only and is fixed up very comfortably. The matron and sisters are very nice. Of course, we felt a bit strange at first. I learned what chillblains were like in London and was driven nearly frantic with the itching of my hands; but they have not worried me much here. " It is not so cold now. "I have received three letters from my relatives in England, and I am feeling as if I like France a little better. We find our patients very nice, but do not keep them long enough 
to be interested in them. At present we have four Australians in our ward. You may be sure that I soon find them out and set out to discover what part they come from.

It is rather unfortunate that I cannot give you a description of the place. It is very grey looking just now; but we have had some sunlight. Since last writing I and two other Australians have been lent to another hospital. It is war nursing all right. We go as hard as we can, and yet can never be done. Most of the cases are terribly bad. Such a lot of the poor lads are gassed as well as wounded. Sometimes when we were in Egypt we wondered if it was worth while leaving Australia, as we did not seem to be really needed; but we do not think the same here. What worries us most here is that we cannot give the lads more attention; but it is impossible with so many. The 'blue boys,' as we call the convalescents, are very good and wait on the helpless ones as best they can. Annie and I have a room at the same hotel, so we are able to compare notes at night. I went out yesterday to a dear little town with its funny houses and quaint shops, and lovely carnations in the flower shops.

I had tea and hot soda cakes, which were rather nice. Yesterday there was a fall of snow, a bitterly cold wind following. This morning when we went on duty it looked very pretty ; but by midday everything was dirty and slushy. There are no shops in this place, and things are frightfully dear. We are lucky enough to get sugar in the hotel. For two days in the week no cake is allowed to be sold, which prevents us from having afternoon tea in town on either Tuesday or Wednesday. 

The streets are mostly paved with cobble stones, which makes one tired walking. Most of the girls wear goloshes as well as gaiters. We are all well provided for in footwear. I have a pair of gun boots, snow boots, leather gaiters, and ordinary long kid ones, as well as heavy lace-up boots. Annie and I have both had measles; but, thank goodness, my ten days' isolation are up today and then I go back to duty. These German measles are not much. You get a sore throat and cold, but do not feel really sick. This hospital is a dreary-looking place right on the sea coast. The hospital accommodation consists of a series of bathing boxes which must be very awkward for the nurses as it is generally snowing or raining. We hear that Australian nurses are still arriving in France. Nurse Toth, who was with me at Dr. Buchanan's, has just come down and was going to Rouen. I would have liked to see her. I am at present on light duties. I had only ten days sick leave, so now I am doing half- time-six hours a day. 

Yesterday afternoon I had a long drive right out in the country. I cannot say that I was in raptures over the scenery; but it should look pretty in the spring. It gave us quite a shock when roaming through the woods to hear the booming of the guns. At first we thought that it was thunder,  but soon found that it was something more exciting. The sea is quite pretty with the sun shining on it. For the first few weeks I hated it; it was so cold and green  looking. I feel sure that I will love it in the summer. Of course, we cannot be certain of staying here, as we are lent to the British. At the hospital there are crowds of V.A.D's. One is an earl's daughter and another is the daughter of a knight; but they dust and polish the same as the others. The majority of them are splendid girls. I do not know how they stick at the work so well when they have not been trained. In one way I am very pleased that I came to France, as we would have hated to go back without coming here. So far we do not find the French people very interesting. The peasant women are just like fishermen's wives that we have  seen in pictures. The French military uniform is rather a pretty grey blue and the helmet is of a darker shade. We do not see many Australians; but find it easy to pick them out as they   wear their hats turned up at the side. At present I have three Australians in my ward, but none of them are Queenslanders. There is not the same amount of work here as there was when we came over first, and I hope that there will not be so again for the sake of the poor lads. Our meals are very good except breakfast, which does not appeal to us at all. At the last-named meal we have bread and butter and jam, with either tea or coffee. At lunch we get either two kinds of meat or an omelette (which they know how to make) and stew. Then we have fruit, bread, and cheese, and   lastly coffee. In Egypt we learned to drink coffee very black and sweet; but here we have milk in it. At dinner we have soup and meat (generally one hot course and another cold). Then sometimes we have pudding, if not fruit. There are only about a dozen sisters here now. All of them are Australians. There are an equal number of officers. We pay sixty francs a-week for our board. The Australian Imperial Force gives us eight francs a-day, which leaves us little to pay out of our own pockets. Annie and I are trying to keep together and, though working in different hospitals, we have the same time off. Annie   and I are both keeping in very good health. Though it is either raining or snowing, the weather is much warmer than when we came over. The hospital is getting very busy now, and our wish to be in the thick of things has been realised. 
 
From to-day's papers it seems as if the great push has commenced. So far we have no idea what the casualties are, but guess that they are fairly heavy. At times we hate France, but none of us would go back to Egypt if we had the chance. Just at present there is a lull in the operations, and we are breathing freely again.
Of course there is plenty to do even now. Annie and I have moved out of the hotel at which we were staying  and are now in with the English sisters' mess. The rooms are unfurnished. That is where our camp kits come in handy. I cannot say that our camp beds are very comfortable to sleep on. The mattresses are wet; but you soon get used to them.  We use canvas wash basins and a chair, so you can almost imagine that we are camping out. Spring, surely, is very late in coming. It is near the end of April and there are no leaves on the trees, yet we are able to buy nice flowers down at the market. I would love to see the wild flowers. A few days ago we were asked if we were good sailors. Annie told the matron that both she and I were. As very few girls seem to be, we thought it was probable that we would be sent on a hospital ship, but lately we heard that all nurses are coming off and no more going on. The trees are just bursting into flower. We are having beautifully fine weather. The flowers are all coming out. Our present attire is appalling. Annie has temporary charge of a floor at present and is having a rather exciting time. Our floor has lightened a bit; but as another convoy has just came in, we can expect some work tomorrow. We are not now using the radiators in the hospital, and our backs do not get so tired bed-making as the patients have only two blankets instead of four. At present there is only one Australian on my floor. He is a typical
bushman. It is nice to see someone who knows 'The man from Snowy River.'I had a letter from Nurse Chataway. She is in Birmingham, and is very disappointed in not getting to France. When I am dressing the wounds I generally ask the patient where he was when he was injured. I seldom read the papers unless there are very big
headlines. We get some awfully nice lads, and  I do think that this war is bringing out some of their best qualities. One soldier, who is suffering from concussion, talks incessantly to himself, and the gist of his conversation is 'I must get better; I must get better to kill more Germans.

Morning Bulletin Friday 3 August 1917 page 8
Sisters Annie and Ellen Agnes Norton, third and sixth daughters respectively of Mr and Mrs R. Norton, Helmbush, Capella, are due in Melbourne to-morrow by the steamer Zealandic, after nearly four years absence on active service in Egypt and France. Sister Annie Norton was trained at the Mount Morgan Hospital  and was subsequently Matron of the  Proserpine Hospital for several years,  which position she resigned, to the regret  of the Committee and people, owing to ill-health. After six months' rest she took of the duties of Matron of the Emerald Hospital and was there when called to active service. Sister Ellen Agnes Norton was trained at the Rockhampton General
Hospital, and was nursing for Drs S Stuart and E A Buchanan at their private hospitals when called to the front.

The Capricornian Saturday 16 August 1919 page 14

NORTON, Veronica Kathleen

Sister
AANS
British Indian Service

Born 1890 at Sale, Vic.
Daughter of Thomas NORTON and Catherine (Kate) nee HAYES
Next of kin F E BENNETT
Of Raymond Street, Sale, Vic.
Aged 26 years
Enlisted 16 August 1916
Embarked 22 August 1916 from Melbourne for Bombay per 'Mooltan'
Served in Bombay
Returned to Australia per 'Lucie Woermann' 20 January 1920
Appointment terminated 21 May 1920
Married Arthur MACE in 1921 in England
Died 09 Setpember 1959 in England

Punch Thursday 31 August 1916 page 21

Punch Thursday 17 February 1916 page 17
Picture
Picture
LETTER FROM STAFF NURSE NORTON.

Staff-nurse Vera Norton, A.A.N.S., daughter of Mrs F. E. Benussi, Sale, writes to her mother under date Grand Oriental Hotel, Columbo, Ceylon, September 10.- A few lines to let you see I've arrived safely. I would like to be able to describe this beautiful place to you, but it is really all too wonderful. Coming into port the place looks beautiful, after not having seen land for ten days. We steamed in at  about half-past 4 in the afternoon, and to see all the palms and wonderful tropical vegetation in the distance made us think we were in fairyland. We anchored a little way out, and were brought to the pier by a ferry, and, of course, tranship here for Bombay: and as we were leaving the boat at dusk the dear old boys whom we were leaving for good cheered us out of sight. We couldn't help feeling  sad leaving them all, as perhaps we might never see them again: but I only hope they will be spared. They were such grand boys. Their principal entertainment on board is boxing, and they had a tournament, and one day when they were boxing in the heat of the day- it was very hot- one little chap from W.A. collapsed half an hour after he had finished his bout, and died an hour afterwards from heat apoplexy. It was so very sad, and cast a terrible gloom over the ship that day. He was buried at sea next morning at 8 o'clock; and really, it is too sad for words, a burial at sea.  Poor little chap, he was a great favourite with the boys. Anyhow, perhaps he was spared a worse fate. Well, this place surpasses all my expectations. and I would not like to have missed it for worlds, as far as we have gone now. We are staying at this hotel, and Sister Bennett and have a  beautiful room, with a tiled bathroom just off it. We will be suffering from swollen heads when we return. We arrived here just in time for dinner on  Wednesday night. It was a beautiful sight to see the dining-Hall, which is of white marble, and has standing electric lights with pale pink shades and candelabra all around, and the string band was playing most beautifully. Four of us had dinner as the guests of two lady passengers by the boat, after which we all went out in   rickshaws: and the 
drive was great. We had supper at the Galle Face Hotel (one of the best hotels in the world, 
they say), and is situated right on the beach. It was just a mass of light, and we had supper 
on the lawn, and then left for home. The palms growing all around the lawn were so lovely, 
and it was moonlight to add to the charm. I'll never forget my first night in the East. All I was 
wishing for was you to be with me to see it  all: it is so hard to describe. Yesterday morning 
we caught the train to Kandy at 7.30. It is right up in the hills, and really cool. We arrived the
reat 11.30, Gladys Bennett, Moroney and self were together. We went all round Kandy in a 
car that was lent to us: so the cost of this trip was nil. The palm groves and drives we went 
along made us think we were in Heaven. Rice fields in all their different stages, with bungalows 
dotted here and there on one side, and on the other great gullies of palms of all descriptions and the red soil and different colours the natives wear around them all add to the picture . The natives are fearful cheats, and would fleece us if they could. Only wish you were with me. We feel like tourists, and will find it hard to settle down to work again.

Gippsland Mercury Tuesday 10 October 1916 page 2


NOTT, Emma Susan

Sister
AANS

Born Coreen Qld.
Sister of William NOTT
Of Greycliffe, Banana, Qld.
Aged 26 years
Enlisted 17 July 1916
Embarked 12 June 1915
Served in London
Nursing duties per 'Aeneas'
Nursing duties per 'Argyllshire' 
Returned to Australia per 'Pt. Macquarie' 25 January 1920
Appointment terminated 20 March 1920

NOWLAND, Ione Grace Evelyn

Staff Nurse
AANS
No 3 Unit Mediteranian Expeditionary Force Salonika

Born 10 November 1887 at Penrith, NSW
Daughter of Edward Joseph Byrnes Clare NOWLAND and Marie Louisa nee MAGUIRE
Of Ashfield, NSW
Aged 29 years
Enlisted 24 May 1917
Embarked from Melbourne per 'Mooltan' 12 June 1917
Served in Salonika
Returned to Australia per 'Leicestershire' 23 January 1919
Appointment terminated 31 May 1919
Married in 1920 Lt. William Charles O'TOOLE
Divorced 20 June 1923 - returned to using her maiden name
Resided at 'Guveshe' Challis Avenue, Turramurra in 1928
Died 04 November 1974

Read more here
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At St. Phillip's, Church Hill, on 27th ult., Miss Evelyn Grace lone Nowland (late A.A.N.S., A.I.F. Salonica), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Nowland, of Ashfield, was married to Lieut. William C. O'Toole, M.C. (late 2nd Pioneer Battalion, A.I.F.), son of Mr. and Mrs. William O 'Toole, of Ryde. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Alfred Yarnold, M.A. The bride was given away by her cousin, Colonel F. A. Maguire, D.S.O. (late A.D.M.S., 3rd Division, A.I.F.) Mr. O 'Toole is on the staff of the Grafton Lands Office.

The Richmond River Herald and Northern District Advertiser Friday 21 May 1920 page 2

​

NOWLAND, Kathleen Regina

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 16 November 1889 at Bathurst, NSW
Daughter of Martin Joseph NOWLAND and Emma Regina nee HALL
Of Ashleigh, Moonbie Street, Summer Hill, NSW
Aged 26 years
Matron at Liverpool Camp Hospital for about 17 months to May 1915
Enlisted 15 June 1916
Embarked at Sydney per 'Nestor' attached to No 2 Sea Transport 17 November 1916
Served in England
Served as Nursing staff aboard Troop ships
Returned to Australia 23 April 1919 per 'Kashmir'
Appointment terminated 06 June 1919
Did not marry
Died 16 November 1981 in NSW
Aged 92 years
​Formerly of Earlwood, NSW

Miss Kathleen Nowland has been appointed matron of the Edward Millen Sanatorium at Victoria Park by the Repatriation Department, in succession to Miss R. L. Rushton, who was recently transierred to Queensland.  Miss Nowland, who, like her predecessor, served with the A.F, has been stationed at the Repatriation Hospital, Brisbane.

The West Australian Wednesday 02 November 1938 page 18


NOWLAND, Pearl Hilda

Sister
AANS

Born 07 April 1887 at Coonamble, NSW
Daughter of Edward Paul NOWLAND and Ester Mary nee ROCHESTER
Of Crrok St., Muswellbrook, NSW
Aged 29 years
Enlisted 02 December 1916
Embarked 09 May 1917 from Sydney per 'A38'
Served in England and France
Returned to Australia 07 September 1919 per 'Takada'
Appointment terminated 16 October 1919
Married Charles SMITH in 1921
Died 06 December 1968 at Homebush, NSW
​Aged 81 years

NUGENT, Lily Elizabeth

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1881 in Wagga Wagga, NSW
Daughter of William NUGENT and Honora nee MALLOY
Step Sister of Michael CURTIN
Of Wagga, NSW
Niece of Patrick NUGENT
Of 'Bloomfield', Wagga, NSW
Did not proceed overseas
Attached to Staff of Camp Clearing Hospital, Enoggera
Died at St. Vincent's Private Hospital, Sydney 21 February 1918 of Phthisis
Buried Rookwood Cemetery R C L 962

ACCORDED, MILITARY FUNERAL.
Staff Nurse's Death. SYDNEY. Friday. 

Miss Lilie Nugent, staff nurse attached to the Base Hospital at Brisbane, died at St. Vincent's Hospital, yesterday, and was buried at Rookwood this afternoon with full military honours.
She was the first woman to be accorded a military funeral in the State.

Daily Observer Saturday 23 February 1918 page 2


NUZUM, Mary Lillian/Lillas Helen

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1892 at Ballarat, Vic.
Daughter of Edward NUZUM and Agnes nee STAPLES
Of 85 Wright Street, Middle Park, Melbourne, Vic.
Aged 24 years
Enlisted 27 November 1916
Embarked 06 December 1916 from Melbourne per 'Orsova'
Served in France
Returned to Australia per 'Kanowna' 11 September 1917
Appointment terminated 15 February 1918
Married William Trew STEWART 
Died 19 December 1973 in Heidelberg, Vic.
​Resided Elwood, Vic.

NYE, Gertrude Ada

Staff Nurse
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve


Born 1888 in Rockhampton, Qld.
Daughter of William Thomas NYE and Elizabeth Martha nee SWAIN
'Clermont' Merthyn Road, New Farm, Brisbane, Qld.
Resided Buderim Mountains, North Coast Line, Qld.
NOK E W NYE (Aunt)
Of 72 Melody Road, Wandsworth, London
Embarked from Australia 04 April 915
Arrived in K 25 May 1915
Joined QAIMNSR 26 June 1915
Embarked for France 26 June 1915
Posted to No 3 General Hospital 26 June 1915
'During the time, 3 months Miss Nye had been on duty in this hospital, she has proved herself a very capable, reliable, punctual and conscientious Nurse.  She has not had charge of award except during the Sisters off duty time, then she arranged her work well and kept good discipline.'
Transferred to No 4 Casualty Clearing Station 08 December 1915
'Miss Nye is a very capable and conscientious nurse.'
No 3 General Hospital 13 September 1916
Transferred to Italy for duty 14 November 1917
Transferred to Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield 27 April 1919 pending repatriation
Embarked for Australia 21 May 1919 per 'Osterley
Demobilized 26 June 1919
Resided Buderim Mountains, North Coast Line Qld. October 1919

Four years later Gertrude returned to England and married Alexander Edmund Knox from Wandsworth, Surrey in the months between January and March. The couple married in India and had two children, Bruce and Diana. Six years after marrying Gertrude, Alexander fell of a horse, got a thrombosis and died on the 27th of April, 1929 in England. Gertrude then returned to Australia with her two children and moved to 183 Gregory Terrace, Paddington, Brisbane. Her son Bruce lived with her from 1947 to 1949 as he was a student studying engineering at a university in Brisbane. In 1945 Gertrude was still alone in Paddington, Brisbane.
Gertrude Knox died whilst living in Auchenflower in Brisbane in the late 1960s, early 1970s.
​
http://adoptadigger.org/search-for-a-ww1-digger/search-for-a-ww1-digger/item/3-diggers-database/1093-nye-gertrude-ada

Return of Sister Nye.  

Sister Nye, sister of Dr. Nye, of Atherton, arrived in Cairns last week, on a visit to her brother, and left yesterday morning for Atherton. Sister Nye was a member of the Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing  Reserve and saw service in France from the earliest days of the war. She was also attached to British medical units in Italy. Sister Nye will remain in the'-district a short while, and will then return, to her home, at Buderim, on the Brisbane-Gympie line. In company with her brother she paid a visit to the Rest-Home, Cairns on Sunday.

Cairns Post Tuesday 30 September 1919 page 4  
Picture
http://adoptadigger.org/search-for-a-ww1-digger/search-for-a-ww1-digger/item/3-diggers-database/1093-nye-gertrude-ada

NYE, Hilda Esther

Picture
Nurse
​Repatriation Hosptial Home Service


Born 1890 in Qld.
Daughter of William Thomas NYE and Elizabeth Martha nee SWAIN
Enlisted 03 February 1918
Hilda was a nurse at the General Hospital for four years and after completing her training in general nursing, she joined the Australian Army Nursing Service and tried her hardest to get overseas to nurse as the War was still in progress. She was sent to the Repatriation Hospital to help look after our wounded returned soldiers. There, she got the nickname of the “angel” at the hospital. Gentle and kind to all patients and a very good nurse, they all loved Hilda. Much to her great disappointment, Hilda was never able to go on active service.
The war ended while she was nursing at the Repatriation Hospital. After the hospital closed she went to Melbourne and New Zealand to do private nursing.
By 1931 Hilda had moved to Victoria and taken up nursing duties at 5 Kensington Road, South Yarra, Melbourne.
She returned to Queensland and the Electoral Roll of 1936 - 1972 shows Hilda living at Dixon Street, Buderim Mountain with her parents and brother.
In 1977 Hilda moved to Nyes Avenue, Buderim with brother William Stanley Hubert Nye.
Hilda died in Buderim in the late 1970s unmarried.
Died 1978 in Qld.

Courtesy of Brettonthebay 
State Library of Queensland

 



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