ARMY NURSING SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25385, 17 November 1943, Page 2

ARMY NURSING SERVICE

CHIEF MATRON’S RETIREMENT PRESENTATIONS IN CAIRO (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) (Rec. 7 p.m.) CAIRO, Nov. 15. - Senior officers of the New Zealand Medical Corps and other units, matrons, nursing sisters, and members of the New Zealand Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps, attended a party tendered to the chief matron of the New Zealand

Army Nursing Service, Miss E. M. Nutsey, at No. 3 New Zealand Rest Home in Cairo. Presentations wers made to Miss Nutsey on behalf of the N.Z.A.N.S. and the N.Z.M.C. Brigadier H. Kenrick, D.M.S., said he had known Miss Nutsey for a long time. As matron of the Auckland Hospital she had had major responsibilities, and when this war started, remembering her nursing service in the last war, she could have said,, “There is no need to go.” Miss Nutsey instead had volunteered immediately and was appointed matron-in-chief in 1940. It was no exaggeration to say that the high standard of the N.Z.A.N.S. was known everwhere and there was no doubt that Miss Nutsey contributed largely to that standard. Brigadier Kenrick read the following message from General Sir Bernard Freyberg: “On the eve of your departure from Egypt I send you this message of appreciation from me personally and on behalf of all ranks of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. for your work as matron-in-chief. We are very proud of the high standard of our N.Z.A.N.S.. and I realise how much I owe to your, wise counsel as its head. Godspeed, and good wishes for a quick return to health.”

The matron. Miss E. C. Mackay, presented Miss Nutsey with a silver tray and a cheque, the gift of the sisters and medical officers of the N.Z.M.C. “With this gift go our best wishes,” said Miss Mackay. “On behalf of the N.Z.A.N.S. I can say we will endeavour to maintain the high standard you have set.”

Subaltern Miss H. King made a presentation of a silver muffin dish, the gift of the N.Z.W.A.A.C. (Hospital Division).

“I thank you very much for these gifts,” said Miss Nutsey. “I will have no need of anything to remind me of you and your work, and I know that often my thoughts will be with you.” Miss Nutsey, briefly traced the history of the N.Z.A.N.S., and stressed the close liaison which had always existed between the unit and the Allied nursing services. “ I am very sorry that I will not. be here for the armistice,” she added.