VETERAN NURSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 186, 7 August 1936, Page 11

VETERAN NURSE.

SISTER MARGARET BOYD.

; Sister Margaret Boyd, of the' Osew Zealand Expeditionary Force, celebrated her birthday yesteruay at her home, Hillsboro' Road, Mount Koskill. _ Living in retirement, with a housekeeper and trained nurse in attendance, she, leads so unobtrusive a life that it was only ; recently that the Onehunga Returned J Soldiers' Association realised that it had I in its midst one whose record for service may he equalled but not excelled. Sister I Boyd went into camp with the first I number of nurses and served overseas for the duration of the war without, missing | a day off duty. On returning home she was appointed nursing sister at. Hanm'er ! Springs and then to the Evelyn Firth Home at Pnrnell. The strain of so much .nursing claimed its toll, however, and. Sisier Boyd, once so radiant in health and service, is now a very fragile lady. Miss Boyd's whole life has been one of service and duty. Her mother died jat a very early age, leaving a family jof seven young children. Margaret, being the eldest, took care of the children and, with her father, reared and trained them. Now she spends most of her time in a sunny room, 100 years old, overlooking beautiful country. In recognition of her birthday yesterday the Onehunga Returned Soldiers' Association made her *a life member of ■the club and she was visited in' thfe morning by Ma jor F. C. Soar, patron of the club, and Mr. X. A. Ching, secretary. The club al«o. through Mr. F. Warrington, president, sent her a posy of spring flowers tied with red; white and blue ribbons. She was also visited by Mr. C. M. McCnllough, chairman of' the Mount Roskill Road Board, and Mrs. McCul,lough, the Rev. McMaster and m-erivbers of the Onehunga Presbyterian Church. Mrs. N. E. McComb and Mrs. R. Grieve, of the Xew Zealand Ex-servicewomen's Association, called, and on behalf of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association presented her with a sheaf of blue and gold irises and a book. Among other visitors were Mr. and Mrs. H. Murdoch, Mr. and Mrs. H. Stoupe, Mrs. R. W. Bissett, Miss May Gillman, Miss Carrie, Mrs. Alex Boyd and Sisters Evans and Gordon-Boyd. She also received birthday , greetings from the Mayor of Onehunga, Mr. j. Park, the Evelyn Firth Home and the New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association. Sister Boyd, although an invalid, always attends the service on Anzac Day at the Arch of Remembrance at Onehunga to pay her tribute. Never once has she missed paying this honour.