NURSE ROSE SHAPPERE.

The following excerpt from the " Sydney Mail," will doubtless be read with some interest in South Canterbury, where Miss Shappere's family resided for some time before settling in Sydney : — .Nursing-sister Rose Shappere, one of our most distinguished nurses who have been to the front in South Africa, returned to Sydney on July 16. Nurse Shappere was the first English nurse to reach the scene of battle, and has spent more than two and a half years tending the sick and wcunded soldiers, English and Boer alike. Before the war broke out she was engaged on the staff of the Adelaide Hospital, but hearing from a private source of the coming trouble she went to Johannesburg, where she joined the St John Ambulance Association. Nurse Shappere understood that the camp was a neutral one, but on discovering that she was called upon to nurse Boers only, she left and organised the hospitals at Standerton, where the nurses had to make all the bedding necessary, sheets, etc. Her experiences have been truly wonderful. Having finished her work at Standerton, she left by train for Delagoa Bay, the train in which she was travelling being shelled by Boers. . She was the only Australian nurse who went through the entire siege of Ladysmith, and for a portion of the time -was stationed at Intombi, five miles from the town, where about 12,000 sick and wounded were attended. She has many a sad tale to tell of those dreadful days, when the camps were flooded with water, and the nurses bravely went from tent to tent in the pouring and blinding rain. r The experiences and adventures of Nurse Shappere in South Africa would fill a volume, and she has returned to her home laden with honours. She has been several times mentioned in despatches, and was gazetted by Sir George Grey to receive the Royal Red Cross honour, which medal she now wears. She also received a command to appear before his Majesty the King to receive a second medal in (recognition of her services. Four clasps are. also due to her for her labours in four different States in South Africa. Nurse Shappere visited England on three occasions as superintending nurse in charge of invalids, and has also visited Melbourne, returning to the front with the Fifth Contingent. During her stay in Africa she met many celebrated officers, including Lord Roberts, General Knox, General Cleary, General Sir George Grey, General BadenPowell and also many of the noted Boei leaders. Her collection of autographs and photographs is a most interesting one, and each tells its own story.