Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Betty Allender was the Strathcona Girls Grammar School Captain (Head of School) in 1928 and 1929. She was a foundation student when the school began in 1924. She wrote school notes for the 1928 Strathconian (School magazine), gained honours in the Church Missionary Examination in 1928. In form notes it was recorded “Betty is learning to count to 10 before she speaks!”
Miss Dora Featherstone (Former Strathcona Principal 1943-1953) wrote in 1948 Strathconian (school magazine)
Many of Strathcona’s former pupils joined the various branches of war service- W.A.A.F., W.R.A.N., A.W.A.S., W.A.A.F., Nurses etc. Betty Allender volunteered with the first nurses to leave Australia, and worked with our men in Palestine, Syria, Egypt and Northern Africa including Tobruk. Afterwards on the entry of Japan into the war she served in one of the main general hospitals in the Northern Territory. Betty rose to the rank of Captain. Strathcona Principal Ms Lorna Beegan spoke to the school assembly about Betty for Anzac 2024 (Centenary of Strathcona)
Many of Strathcona’s “little boys” paid the supreme sacrifice .
Submitted by Diana Little - Strathcona Archives Dept 2024