Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service

Just a rather pointless aside from all that, perhaps? But, this has reminded me that the Queen Alexandra Hospital, just north above Portsmouth, was originally a dedicated, Military Hospital.

I think I have an image or two of it during that era. Bit pre WW2 though, I'd imagine?

 

Sister Catherine O'Loughlin
a young nurse from County Clare (I have a copy of her records)

 

Although a WW1 nurse, I took a photo of Nurse Dickson for Jim Strawbridge over at the GWF who collects these from all over the world.

She died in the Military Hospital St Kilda Road Melbourne after returning from overseas and is buried at Coburg Lone Pine Cemetery near me in Melbourne.

Nurse Dickson was the first Australian woman to be accorded full military honours.

AWM Collection Record: P05159.001 - Portrait of Sister May Dickson, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS), the first Australian woman to be buried in Australia with full military honours. Sister Dickson was a ...

 

Matron DOROTHY MILDRED SMITH

R R C

206468, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service
who died age 44
on 20 January 1945
Daughter of Alfred Arthur and Helen Frances Augusta Smith. Her brother Bombardier Robert Laurence Smith, R.F.A. (died 1st December, 1919), is also buried here.
Remembered with honour
BELLS HILL BURIAL GROUND

 

Matron DOROTHY MILDRED SMITH
206468, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service
who died age 44
on 20 January 1945
Daughter of Alfred Arthur and Helen Frances Augusta Smith.
BELLS HILL BURIAL GROUND

Dorothy Smith was born on September 11th 1900, her father a 'pianoforte finisher.' She went to school at Albert Street School, North Finchley, and then trained as a nurse at Wellhouse Hospital, Barnet between 1921 and 1924. After training as a midwife she joined Queen Alexandra's Military Families' Nursing Service (QAMFNS) in 1925, and then became a member of QAIMNS when the services amalgamated the following year.

Sue

 

Clive and Sue

Thanks

Tony

 

Sister In Charge Marjorie Birdstall OBE, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.

Previous Awards: ARRC - 11.6.42

Awarded OBE. (Possibly Changed to RRC)

Miss Mary Birdstall was Sister-in-Charge 11 (British) Mobile CCS when the unit replaced 84 General Hospital at Brindiai (sp) on 3 April 1944. She remained in the appointment until 25 Aug '44, a period of nearly five months.

The General Hospital had 22 Nursing Officers, the establishment of a CCS was 8 Nursing Officers including Sister-In-Charge. (This number was later increased to ten).

The daily number of patients during the first two months averaged 400, slowly reduced to 200 towards the end of this period. The Surgical Division was always particularly busy, including a number of DI and SI cases.

During this period Miss Birdstall carried out her duties in a most capable and untiring manner. The work required a great deal of skill and energy, which she supplied.

Apart from the shortage of Nursing Officers, the orderlies lacked nursing experience and the equipment of a CCS was poor compared to that of a General Hospital.

More Nursing Officers might have been obtained, but Miss Birdstall preferred to carry on, realising that the Nursing Services, would, at this particular time, be fully engaged.

Miss Birdstall overcame all difficulties with great diligence and resourcefulness, and all the patients had reason to be grateful for the treatment they had with this unit.

I, as Officer Commanding 11 (Br) Mobile CCS during this period, am of the opinion that her excellent work should be recognised.


Signed Lt. Col. W R Sprunt, RAMC.

LG 19.4.45

 

Sister Acting Matron Doreen Wilhamina Douglas RRC, 54 (BR) Hospital, QAIMNS

Awarded Royal Red Cross, 1st Class.

The above named Nursing Officer acted as a Matron of the Hospital during the period 1 May 44 - 31 August 44. The Hospital worked constantly at 300 bed level with a War Establishment of personnel for 200 beds. Movement took place from Trinitapoli to Rome Medical Area and then to Perugia. Acting Matron Miss Douglas set a constant example of cheerfulness and energy which was reflected throughout the work of her Junior Sisters and Nursing Orderlies.

Her internal administration was likewise excellent resulting in a high standard of care of many seriously and dangerously ill patients.



LG 19.4.45

 

Senior Matron Daisy Clemintine Tanny Roberts RRC, attached to 102 (SA) Combined General Hospital, QAIMNS.

Awarded RRC.

In the performance of her duty as Senior Matron, this lady has displayed zeal and ability considering the average. Nothing is too much for the ware and comfort of an average of 600 patients of all nationalities, and the many high praises bestowed on this hospital have, in no small measure, been due to constant devotion to duty, high standard of efficiency and administration and her careful supervisionof the Nursing Services.

26.6.45

 

from the Blair collection, Ulster Folk Museum

Nursing Sister working in Musgrave Park Hospital - in the Nissan Huts

 

Hi All,

For your possible interest, I have just finished reading 'Quiet Heroines' by Brenda McBryde. A simply written and touching account of the wonderful work that these women carried out in WW2.

Bamboo.

 

That's the second of two books that she wrote, the first being 'A Nurse's War,' which covers her training at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, from 1939, and then her service with QAIMNS Reserve from September 1943. She's a good writer, clear and interesting, without over-egging the dramatic.

 

Hi Sue,

I really enjoyed the book, as you say she gets her story across simply but effectively. The book was a bit of a diversion for me, although still with some relevance to my research.
I am interested in everything to do with the 1943 Chindit operation named 'Longcloth'.

When these men came back out of the Burmese jungle they were nursed back to some health by Matron Agnes McGeary at the 19th Casualty Clearing station, Imphal. She was a marvel for them and they all improved gradually as a consequence of her work.

She was awarded the MBE for her efforts. If you come across her on your research journey, then I would be grateful for any information on her, or any of her staff. I am searching for a photograph of her at the moment, but with little success.

Best wishes.

Bamboo

 

I'll file her name away in my brain for the future - it's often the case that people pop up when you're least expecting them.

Regards --- Sue