28. WW1 – Women at War
WW1
Women at War
Saluting their Service - Grahame Old
A Brief History of Women at War - WW1
Australian women served in the Great War as nurses, and as other medical workers. There were also a number of Red Cross volunteers who provided comforts to the troops. Nurses were expected to be single or widowed. Some married women got through the recruiting checks, and some married during their period of service. Of those who served overseas; seven were under 21 (though the official minimum age for enlistment was 25). Members of the Australian Army Nursing Service served overseas in many conflict zones including Egypt, Salonika, France, Belgium, Lemnos (off Gallipoli), Palestine, the Persian Gulf, Italy, Burma, Vladivostok and Abyssinia.
Seven women received the Military Medal for bravery under fire.
Some nurses and women doctors paid their own way to be involved in medical service during the war. Other women were instrumental in setting up the Red Cross Missing and Wounded Enquiry Bureau, which set about ascertaining information for families of the circumstances of those who were missing through death, wounding or capture. Red Cross nurses, known as ‘Blue Birds’, also served in French front line hospitals. In all, 2139 women served with the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS), and 130 worked with the British, Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS). 25 of these women died in service during the war.
RED CROSS NURSE
“On Service”
“Ever at Duty’s call, the Red Cross Nurse, an invaluable unit of the Army, is the personification of gentleness and unselfishness. All honour to her, whose skilful administrations have made her indispensable to our brave fighting men, easing pain with her timely care and devotion, and lightening their hearts with her tenderness and sympathy. Truly does the work of this noble Army of women, brought into being by the brave and devoted ‘Lady of the Lamp’ fill all hearts with reverent admiration”.
Collie Girls at War
There were three Collie Girls who enlisted as Nursing Sister’s and served overseas during WW1.
Senior Nurse AANS Mary Catherine CARSON.
Sister AANS Katherine Mary COLEMAN.
Senior Nurse WO 399/2340 QAIMNS Helen Grace (Nellie) DOYLE.
Mary Carson
Lived with her brother William and widowed mother Eliza in Wittenoom St Collie. In 1912 she trained at Fremantle public hospital and in 1915 at age 27 years she enlisted into the AANS. During the War she had extensive service in Egypt, France and England. Mary’s brother William, a Coal miner in Collie, also enlisted in 1915 and sadly died of wounds in September 1917 Belgium. It is not known whether the siblings managed to meet during their service. Sister Carson returned to Australia in 1918, she continued her career, working as a sister at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, from 1921 until her retirement in 1954.
Helen (Nellie) Doyle
Lived with her parents and brothers in Coombe St Collie. In 1915 at 28 years of age and wanting to do her bit for the war effort she sailed to England and enlisted into the British QAIMNS. Nurse Doyle had extensive service in France during the war. Helen’s brothers, Sidney and Henry, both carpenters in Collie, also enlisted in 1915. Sadly the younger brother Henry was Killed in Action in September 1917, Belgium. Helen Doyle returned to Australia in 1919 and remained in the nursing profession in WA until her retirement in 1959. She was Matron at a number of country hospitals, Margaret River, Kiama private Wembley, Sandstone District, Wiluna District, Northam Migrant, and Geraldton Maternity.
Katherine Coleman
Listed on the WW1 Collie High School Honour board as a past student of the high school. Katherine enlisted into the AANS in 1916, aged 32 Yrs. She had extensive service in casualty clearing stations in France and returned to Australia in 1919.
A Nurses Letter to a Mother waiting at home
Where possible, women serving as nurses during the Great War would write a letter of condolence to the next of kin of deceased soldiers they had nursed. The following short story highlights both the horror of war and the kindness of those nurses who worked tirelessly for the wounded and dying soldiers.
1038 Private William Anderson MAXWELL
11th Infantry Battalion
William MAXWELL was working as an engine driver in Worsley at the outbreak of WW1. He applied to enlist into the AIF in September 1914 in Collie, age 26yrs. William’s next of kin was listed as residing in Sandy Creek Vic. In March 1915 William embarked from Alexandria Egypt, with WA’s own 11th Infantry Battalion, for the Gallipoli Peninsula. Sadly, he was seriously wounded by shell explosion at Gaba Tepe, on the 1st of August. He suffered a compound fracture of the right thigh and was evacuated to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station, Gallipoli. Dangerously ill, William was then transferred by hospital ship to the British 21st General Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt. He died of wounds received on the 8th of August, the medical report listed death as caused by septic poison of the right leg. William was buried at the Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria, EGYPT
Nurse Nelly Littlewood
The nurse caring for William Maxwell at the British, 21st General Hospital, was Nelly Littlewood. The following is a copy of the letter sent by Nelly, to the mother of William.
Letter Written on 9th August, 1915 by Nurse Nelly Littlewood from Ramleh, Alexandria, Egypt to Soldier’s Mother
” Dear Mrs Maxwell, Your son Private William Maxwell was brought into No. 21 General Hospital, Alexandria, on Friday 6th. He had a severe wound in his thigh, and was unconscious. He did not suffer at all, and everything was done for him that could possibly be done. I was with him all Saturday morning, and again on Sunday morning until he died about 11 o’clock. He did not regain consciousness and died very peacefully. He is buried in the British Cemetery at Sidi Saber, near Alexandria, in the Soldier’s Corner, and was buried with all Military Honours. I am sending you his Pay Book, belt, watch, tobacco pouch, letters and one or two other small things that he brought into Hospital with him. As I know, they will be a little comfort to you in your great sorrow. Sergeant Wilson of the 11th Regiment told me that they went into action at Gabe Tepe the night of the 31st July, charged the Turkish Trenches, took them and held them in spite of heavy shell-fire. Your son must have been wounded then. They all did simply magnificently. It was a grand thing for your son to die fighting so bravely for his Country. Mrs Maxwell, please accept all my sympathy in your great loss. I wish to God we could have saved your son for you. We did our best. I am registering the parcel, so I hope it will arrive safely.
Your Sincere Friend
Nelly Littlewood “.
‘Lest We Forget’