OVERSEAS NURSES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19530, 13 July 1925, Page 5

OVERSEAS NURSES.

PROPOSED MEMORIAL, IADY JKI.I.ICOB'S TRIBUTE. (Feom Od.e Own Coerespondekt.) LONDON, June 2. At the Civic Hall, Wembley, on Saturday, a reception was held in connection with the proposed memorial to overseas nurses who fell in the war. Invitations were issued by the Dowager Machioncsa of Duflerin and Ava, the chairman and members of the Memorial Committee. In the unavoidable absence of Princess Louise Duchess of Argyll, Lady Patricia Ramsay attended. The Reception Committee included the Dowager Countess of Jersey, Dowager Lady Minto Countess Jellicoe, Countess Roberts, Lady Galway, Sir A. and Lady Wcigall, Lady Northcote, Dame Louisa Aldnch-Blake, Miss Bolton, M.D., Misa Hamilton, M.D., and other well-known people. , Among those present were Lord Jellicoe Lord and Lady Emmott, Lacy Cook, L;ord and Lady Whitburgh, Lord and Lady Xerrington, Six Bruce Bruce-i orter, Mrs A. r . Roberts, Dr and Mrs D. Colouhoun, Dr and Mrs Christie, Mrs de Vries, Miss K. Henry Sir Thomas and Lady Robinson, Admiral Sir E. Fremantle. _ _ . , The Dowager Marchioness of Dufferm and Ava claimed to have many family ties with the dominions of Canada, Australia, mvj Zealand, and with India. Her daughter, who had been the wife of a former Governor of New Zealand film late Lord Plunket) had many affectionate -membrances o£ the country and its people. ~ , La.iy Galway paid a very fine tribute to the overseas nurses, and drew a very graphic picture of the leaving the i.ominions with the complement of vodinteers for the war. Army nurses were volunteers like the liven, and they trained and disciplined themselves for it. Army training and discipline meant that once the great initial resolve had been taken they resigned their will, and they were ready to take whatever post was assigned to them, regardless of the risks. The names of 92 nurses would be inscribed. It was felt that those whose sacrifice was to be commemorated would desire to remain part of the living stream of continuous work, and th.lt was why the tribute to their memory was to take, the form of the house that is intended to bo a home which would afford the necessary rest to the women who carry on their work. WIDE SERVICE. Ladv Jellicoe said she left very proud at being asked to epeak for the Memorial tor Overseas Nurses, especially for the New Zealand nurses. She felt that no words of hers could ever do them justice. It was difficult to try and make a distinction between nurses who volunteered for the war* The only real distinction, perhaps, was that the New Zealand nurses came from the furthest part of the Empire to the warfields, and therefore they had not so many friends, and they suffered perhaps more from home-sickness which they never, never showed. The New Zealand nursing sisters served in every part of the war zone on their own hosnital ships, on hospital ships crossing the Channel, on transports carrying Indian troops and Serbian refugees; on the hospital trains in Egypt; some were stationed in East Africa; others served in the desert. They fought against everything—seasickness, extreme heat —once for three days they had to endure shade temperature of 125 deg. They never complained. They were always bright and cheery and ready to carry on as soon as possible. One of the greatest compliments was paid to a New Zealand matron by a matron in the Imperial army. She was asked to provide a field hospital, and she said she would do so if she were given Now Zealand nursing sisters. The English matron afterwards wrote that these nurses were the backbone of the hospital. . . . New Zealand had two hospital ships. Ihe Maheno arrived in Gallipoli the day after the first landing. The nurses saw the battleehips in action, and shells actually fell on their decks. In 24 hours the ship was full of wounded, and she had to return homo with these men. One of the greatest tragedies was the torpedoing of the Marquette, when 10 nursca lost their lives, and some of the rescued were for elx hours in the water. Five or eix of the nurses who were picked up had been in bad health ever since, especially their beloved matron, Miss Cameron, who had never been able to worn since. " Nothing," said Lady Jellicoe, in conclusion, "can be done to make the Nurses Memorial too beautiful, and to ensure that their memory shall remain in the hearts of the generations to come.” A MATINEE TEA. Many parties and other functions arc being arranged to raise the .£15,090 which is rsqiiired for the extension work to provide the Nurses’ Home. Mrs Leo M. Myers (late of Auckland) is organising a matinee tea, to take place at the American Women's Club in Juno. For this a very interesting programme has been arranged, and a sketch, written by Mrs Myers, entitled ' A Scrap of Silk,” will be performed, with Miss Nancy Atkin in the principal part. The name, of Lady Forbes Robertson appears among the artists. She will be heard in her Spirituals._ New Zealand professional artist helpers will include, Mr Shayle Gardner and Mr Robert. Gcddcs (both of Auckland). Among the distinguished patrons arc the Duchess of Atholl, Viscountess Rhondda, the Lady Islington, and the Lady Mayoress.