Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ivy Florence McIntosh BARTLETT was born on the 26th of December 1884 at Hovelle St, Wodonga, Vic.  She was the youngest daughter of Sidney BARTLETT and Mary THORBURN, who married on the 17/3/1863 at Mary’s father’s home in McKillop St, Geelong.  All Ivy’s siblings were born in Williamstown, but by 1885 the family was living at Corryong where Ivy was raised.  Mary died at their home in Corryong on the 6/8/1898, aged 58; while Sidney, a former Accountant and Grazier, who had moved to Kew in 1920 to live with Ivy, died on the 8/6/1922, aged 85 – they are buried together in the Corryong Cemetery.

Siblings: Helen Susan b.24/9/1864 Williamstown (Music Teacher) – d.25/10/1928; William Henry b.25/9/1866 – d.11/7/1921; Anna Calvert b.22/7/1868 – marr SIMPSON – d.1939; Edith Mary b.8/3/1871 – marr VINCENT – d.1942; Walter Sidney b.18/9/1874;  *Albert Thorburn b.28/3/1876 Williamstown (Printer / Newspaper Proprietor) – WW1: Lieut, 57th Bn – d.17/9/1919 Caulfield Military Hospital (11th AGH) of stomach cancer – buried in Corryong Cemetery with his parents; Alice Winifred (Poppy) b.1880 Williamstown (Music Teacher) – marr B.C. GROVER 1910 – d.30/11/1959.

Religion: Presbyterian
Educated at Corryong State School
Growing up in a family surrounded by art, literature and music, Ivy was often involved in concerts and competitions as well as the local dramatic club. Her musical abilities included singing and playing the Cello.

Ivy trained in nursing at the Homeopathic Hospital, Melbourne from the 14/4/1910 to the 14/4/1913, holding the position of Acting Sister during the last 4 months.  She actually passed her final exam for the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses Association in November 1912, and held certificates in both General Nursing and Obstetrics.  She was a staff Nurse at the Women’s Hospital, Carlton for 6 months, and carried on Private Nursing for 12 months.

WW1 Service:
Ivy was living with her sister Alice in Hawthorn (Auburn) in June 1915 when she applied to join the Australian Army Nursing Service. She served first at the Base Hospital in St Kilda Rd, Melbourne before eventually embarking on the 4th of August on the RMS Orontes for Egypt.

Having reported for duty on the 4/9/1915, Ivy was posted to the 3rd Australian General Hospital (AGH), and joined the hospital at Lemnos Island on the 13/9/1915. One of the nurses who had embarked with her from Australia was Eileen Hughes, and they shared a bell tent together at Lemnos, before continuing to serve together throughout the war until their return home in1919.
In the middle of October Ivy wrote: “The mud is dreadful, and sticks like glue.” “There is plenty of work. Typhoid is running high. Several new wards have been added, and we have over 1,000 beds — all under canvas.” The weather was cold and windy and the tents were often blown down, their uniforms were also inadequate for the conditions and the food was of a poor quality. Ivy however, appears to have survived her time on Lemnos without succumbing to any serious illness, though she did mention suffering with bruises due to constantly tripping over guy-ropes in the dark.  She also commented that “The nurses had a very trying time, but she says she would not have missed the experiences for anything, and doesn’t think anything too much to do for the soldiers.”

Following the evacuation of Gallipoli the 3rd AGH returned to Egypt on the Oxfordshire, and disembarked at Alexandria 27/1/1916, where they were stationed at Abbassia.

On the 11th of April 1916 Ivy and Eileen were transferred to the No.1 Hospital Ship Karoola, serving under Matron Alice Cooper, and caring for the sick and wounded being returned to Australia, arriving 12/5/1916. During her few days of Leave while the ship was being restocked for the return to Egypt, Ivy spent some time at home in Corryong and was given a Welcome Home by the townspeople.
Further trips on the Karoola included Melbourne to Egypt and return, 27/5/1916 to 3/8/1916; Melbourne to UK and return, 19/8/1916 to 2/12/1916, arriving England 5/10/1916 and departing again 15/10/1916.

The Karoola also travelled from Melbourne to the UK and return from 9/12/1916 to the 10/4/1917.
However her records show that she was marched out for return to Australia on transport duty on No.2 HS Kanowna 19/2/1917 – but the Kanowna was at sea on this date, having sailed from Durban on the 12/2/1917 en-route for Australia so she may have still been serving on the Karoola up until September, or the date entered was incorrect [the nurses service records are always sketchy and often incorrect].

She is shown as re-enlisting on the 14/9/1917, and embarked in Sydney on HS Kanowna 25/9/1917 for England.  En-route they picked up a load of British invalids at Cape Town, who were mostly medical cases, suffering from Malaria, Black Water Fever and Dysentery.  Disembarking at Avonmouth on the 29/11/1917 the medical staff were given Leave while the ship underwent repairs.  They sailed again on the 18/12/1917 carrying Australian invalids, arriving back at Melbourne 13/2/1918 and Ivy was again granted a few days leave.

All staff were re-embarked again on the 26/2/1918 and arrived at Bombay on the 24/3/1918 where once again most of the invalids embarked were medical cases.  Disembarking these patients in Egypt they were replaced with Australian casualties who had been brought from England on the HS Wandilla.  The Kanowna returned to Melbourne on the 22/5/1918, and the following return trip also only took them as far as Egypt and return.

On their next trip they arrived at Port Said on the 25/10/1918 where they received orders to collect repatriated British POWs from Turkey.  Arriving back at Alexandria on the 6/11/1918, they then sailed for Malta 3 days later, receiving news of the Armistice whilst en-route.  From Malta they sailed to England, where Ivy was marched into Admin HQ, London, from HS Kanowna 25/11/1918 and suffering with Influenza was then admitted to Southwell Gardens, the hospital for sick Australian Sisters – being discharged on the 4/12/1918 and granted sick leave until the 8/12/1918.

She was then attached for temporary duty at the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford from the 23/12/1918 to the 3/1/1919.

Ivy returned to Australia for the final time on HS Kanowna, embarking 3/1/1919 and arriving into a week’s quarantine in Sydney on the 8/3/1919.  It’s stated that she had “made nine trips across the seas” since joining hospital ship duty.

In need of a good rest on her return home, Ivy spent some time with her sister Anna in the scenic Nariel Valley, Upper Murray. Back in Corryong on the 2nd of May she was given a huge Welcome Home by the local R.S.S.I.L. which was “attended by representatives from all over the district, about 450 being present.” On behalf of the returned men, she was presented with a gold bracelet suitably inscribed together with 3 bouquets of flowers.
She was eventually discharged from the AANS, AIF on the 17/5/1919.
However, it was noted in her brother Albert’s obituary that she nursed him through his last long sickness. He died on the 17/9/1919 at Caulfield Military Hospital.

In 1920 Ivy purchased “Lyntor” Private Hospital in A’Beckett St, Kew – her invalid sister Helen and their father also lived with her there. In 1922 she moved back with her sister Alice in Auburn.
She was the Housekeeper at Cricklewood Guest House, Frankston 1923/1924; and living in Camberwell 1925/1926.

Ivy married Percival Ferry THWAITES on the 28th of July 1926 at the Hawthorn Presbyterian Church.

Born on the 31/1/1875 at Newtown, Vic, Percival was a Clerk and Orchardist, living at “Fairholm”, Ahern Rd, Pakenham East – Percival’s mother Pauline lived with them until her death in 1942.

Ivy was associated with the Pakenham and District Bush Nursing Hospital from at least 1929, and was President of the hospital auxiliary in 1940.
Elected Female Superintendent of the newly established Voluntary Aid Detachment at Pakenham in April 1939.
Member of the Country Women’s Association

Percival died on the 19/5/1957 at their home in Pakenham East, aged 82.
Ivy applied for Repat in 1960

Ivy died on the 20th of December 1964 at the Heidelberg Repatriation General Hospital, and following a service held at St James’s Church of England, Pakenham East on the 22nd, was cremated at Springvale Cemetery and her ashes scattered.

********************

The Age (Vic), Tue 1 Jan 1884 (p.1):
Births
BARTLETT – On the 26th December, at Hovelle-street, Wodonga, Mrs Sidney Bartlett of a daughter.

1912: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/203324346

Corryong Courier (Vic), Thur 29 Jul 1915 (p.2):
CORRYONG NURSE FOR THE FRONT – Nurse Ivy Bartlett, of Corryong, who was one of the first Victorian nurses to volunteer for war service, will be leaving shortly for the front. Nurse Bartlett is at present at the St Kilda base hospital.

Corryong Courier (Vic), Thur 9 Dec 1915 (p.3):
FROM THE FRONT
Nurse Ivy Bartlett writes, from the Australian General Hospital, Lemnos, under date 16th October: —You would never think that on this island we were so near the firing line. I would like to get nearer, and wish they could get enough safe land on the Peninsula to have a hospital there, as it would be much handier than this place. Having to ship and unship everyone is such a work. A lot of the largest boats are turned into hospital ships. There were seven in the harbour last night, and tonight the --- is in. She is one of the largest boats in the world. They have a line of green lights along the side and a big red cross (lit up), and look very pretty.
It has been very cold the last few days and fearfully windy. The tents are in danger of breaking loose, and the boys are always hammering at the tent pegs. It is strange to think you must be well into spring, when we are just starting winter. The mud is dreadful, and sticks like glue. Colonel --- was here today, and suggested several improvements. Also he says skirts are quite unsuitable in such a place in such rough weather! There is plenty of work. Typhoid is running high. Several new wards have been added, and we have over 1,000 beds — all under canvas. There are very few surgical cases—they go to Alexandria. The food is our pet grievance. I am not fussy about what I have usually, but I hope there will soon be a change. Nurse Hughes and I share a bell tent. It is right on the sea, and we can see the boats buzzing about from our beds. We can hear the Gallipoli bombarding here. It sounds just like blasting. I went over to the Rest Camp one Sunday and found Mr. Say and Walter Cunningham. Walter has been in hospital in Malta.
[Nurse Eileen Hughes – they stayed together throughout their war service]
[Walter Tilston Cunningham, 505, 3rd Bn (Enl NSW) – born Cudgewa, from Corryong]

Wangaratta Chronicle (Vic), Wed 22 Dec 1915 (p.3):
LETTER FROM A NURSE
Nurse Bartlett, writes to her sister, Mrs. R. J. Vincent, of Corowa, from Lemnos Island, where she is on duty. During a terrible storm several of the hospital tents were blown down, but fortunately there were no patients in them. She had just attended church service in the open, Dean Talbot, of Sydney, officiating. The service was held in a space on the edge of the hill with the sea and battleships behind, and then there were nurses, soldiers in uniform, convalescents, and a naval band to play the hymns.
They have several nurses on the sick list and a crowd of orderlies. She has had some fearful spills at night over the guy ropes through turning the corners too quickly, and has several bruises in consequence. She does not know what they would do there if it were not for the Red Cross. It is wonderful the amount of stuff they send along. It is awful to think of the waste of life that is going on every day. One man from the front told her that to hear a girl laugh was worth all the medicine. Poor fellows she wondered that they ever laughed again after what they have gone through.

Corryong Courier (Vic), Thur 2 Mar 1916 (p.3):
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
Nurse Ivy Bartlett, of the Third Australian General Hospital, writes on 14th January: — We came off Lemnos on Friday (14th) on to a hospital boat. She carries over 600 cot cases. We don't know where we are going, but are hoping to strike Alexandria for a few days before we set up anywhere else.
We closed up pretty suddenly at the last. The last of the cases went on Saturday, and Sunday we spent cleaning up our wards. After that it was a question of waiting orders. We went up the highest hill on the island on Monday, four of us. We took lunch and got to the top at one p.m. It is about six miles, but not such a big climb as Mittamatite. It is a splendid view. You can see all around the island, and on one side the mountains of Greece show up with snow on them (Athos, I believe is the highest), and you can see the island of Imbros, and just the outline of Gallipoli on the horizon. It was a lovely day, but clouds were drifting about, and you had to watch out to see far. We had good glasses. We were very glad we went, as it was the last day we were allowed out of the lines for long, and it was the only place of note on the island I had not visited.
We were brought down to the pier on Thursday. I was ironing cap and collars at 1.30 p.m., and matron came and told me to be ready at 2.30 to leave the island. Of course I was mostly packed up, but it was a bit of a scramble. Anyhow, we were at the pier soon after three and waited till 6.30, when we were told there was no lighter available to take us off. We had to pick out what luggage we wanted and return to the hospital for the night. They were not ready for us, as we only left four sisters and some men packing up, so we had cocoa and bread and jam and cheese in the officers' mess. Our tents had been pulled down, and we just slept where we could find shelter— and, talk about cold, we didn't get warm till the next afternoon.
We had a cup of tea at 7.30 the next morning and marched off to the pier. They soon got the boat loaded up and we came on board about ten, and had a real decent breakfast about eleven. It was the best breakfast I've had since I left the ship I came over in. The hospital ship is a beautiful change from the muddy old Island. Fancy the difference between a table without a cloth, commonest of knives and forks, tablespoons (the only spoons), and large enamelled plates and mugs—and a nicely appointed table with a five-course meal and a steward to every six people. It's lovely to be out of the mud, on a nice clean boat.

Euroa Gazette (Vic), Tue 23 May 1916 (p.3):
PERSONAL
Among the newspaper proprietors who have offered their services for King an Country is Mr A.T. Bartlett of the “Corryong Courier,” who is now in camp. He was tendered a public farewell in his own district on the 11th inst. His sister – Nurse Bartlett, who has been at the front, and was one of the nurses in the No3 General Hospital, which was at Lemnos (and in recognition of whose services there, the matron was awarded the Red Cross), is now in Victoria, having arrived on a hospital ship on the 12th inst. She is re-embarking for the front again immediately. The nurses had a very trying time, but she says she would not have missed the experiences for anything, and doesn’t think anything too much to do for the soldiers.

Corryong Courier (Vic), Thur 25 May 1916 (p.2):
NURSE WELCOMED.
On Thursday evening last at an interval in the Scotch concert, opportunity was taken to extend a welcome to Nurse Ivy Bartlett, who had arrived the previous evening on a few days' leave of absence before rejoining her boat on the return to Egypt. Leaving Victoria in June of last year, Nurse Bartlett has passed through a very strenuous time on the nursing staff both on the Island of Lemnos and in Egypt. Early in April she was selected, amongst others, to come to Australia with one of the hospital ships, conveying returned sick and wounded soldiers, and landed in Melbourne on the 12th inst. She returns on the same ship which takes back hospital stores, etc.
Mr. T. C. Davis explained that they had intended a welcome home also to the two returned soldiers—Privates Jeffries and Sheather — but, as the notice had been rather short, they must have missed getting their invitations, as neither had put in an appearance. He extended a hearty welcome back to Nurse Bartlett, though only for a few days, and wished her a safe voyage and return.
Cr Cronin said it gave him great pleasure to welcome Nurse Bartlett after her work in Egypt. They (the fathers, mothers and sisters of our gallant lads) all recognised and appreciated the noble and unselfish work done by the nurses in attending and bringing back to health and strength our wounded soldiers. They always heard the lads praised, but he considered the nurses did as noble and brave a work in their own domain. They left home, friends and comfort, and had to endure many hardships and while we were peacefully asleep they were often keeping vigil night after night, tending the sick and wounded. He assured Nurse Bartlett the district appreciated her work, and trusted that she would soon be able to return permanently, when Corryong would suitably recognise what she had done.
Mr Playle said they had given so many farewells that it was pleasing to have the other side of the picture presented. He assured Nurse Bartlett that the Corryong people had never lost touch with her, as in many letters from the Upper Murray boys in Egypt she had been mentioned, and it gave a sort of homely feeling, a sense of satisfaction, to know that one of themselves was on the spot. If misfortune befell any of our boys and Nurse Bartlett were near and could do anything, they knew she would do all in her power. They felt a pride in knowing that a Corryong girl was working side by side with the noblest of women. It was hard, he considered, to thoroughly appreciate the work done by the nurses. The world seemed a bit out of joint. No matter what women did, there was not the mention made of it as if done by the men. It seemed a great pity that man could not be allowed to do his duty without hurting his fellow-man — it was hard to coincide matters. On behalf of the district he convoyed to her their sincerest wishes for a safe return, and trusted that it would not be far distant.
Nurse Bartlett, on responding, was loudly applauded. She thanked them sincerely for the welcome, but she considered that the nurses were fortunate in being amongst those allowed to go and do their bit. Their work had been hard, and, she might add, she was more used to working than public speaking. She thought Australia was to be congratulated on the boys sent to the front. She had heard English ……. officers speak of the Australian soldier as one of the best. He might be rowdy at times, but he was all right in the fighting line. She hoped in the near future that they would all come back, well and strong, and that she would be able to tell them more.

Corryong Courier (Vic), Thur 21 Feb 1918 (p.3):
Nurse Ivy Bartlett is at present in Corryong on a few days leave from her boat at Sydney. She leaves on Saturday to rejoin it.

Euroa Gazette (Vic), Tue 10 Sept 1918 (p.3):
Personal
Sister I. Bartlett (another of that noble band of women who daily risk lives in succoring our soldiers) spent some hours with her friends in Euroa last week. Sister Bartlett spent some time nursing in Egypt and on Lemnos Island, and has made about six trips, helping to bring wounded men home. She expects to remain in England or France on hospital duty at the end of her next trip. She carried away a number of floral tributes from her Euroa friends.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/269102230

Table Talk (Vic), Thur 15 May 1919 (p.32):
SOCIAL
A successful function was held in Corryong Hall on Friday evening, May 2, when the local branch of the R.S.S.I.L. tendered a welcome home social to Nurse Ivy Bartlett, who has returned after having been on active service for three years and eight months. She is also the only nurse to have been on service from the Upper Murray. She commenced her duties in Egypt, being sent from there to Lemnos Island, and was afterwards transferred to hospital ships bringing sick and wounded to Australia. She has made nine trips across the seas, and, having had a strenuous time, was rather run down in health. A quiet rest with her sister, Mrs. J. T. Simpson of "The Retreat," in the beautiful valley of Nariel, Upper Murray, has been of great benefit to her. The function was attended by representatives from all over the district, about 450 being present. Nurse Bartlett presented, on behalf of the returned men, with a handsome gold bracelet, suitably inscribed, and with three lovely bouquets. In returning thanks, Nurse Bartlett made an effective speech. She is the youngest daughter of Mr. Sidney Bartlett, of Corryong, and sister to Lieut. A. T. Bartlett, proprietor of the "Corryong Courier," and was formerly a trainee nurse at the Homoeopathic and Women's Hospitals, Melbourne.

Corryong Courier (Vic), Thur 15 May 1919 (p.3):
On Thursday last Sister Bartlett visited the Towong school, and from her vast store of interesting experiences employed the children’s attention for a few minutes with some of her varied travels. After telling them how fortunate they were to live in such a beautiful part of a glorious country, she explained some of the privations to which children of other lands had been subjected owing to scarcity of food. Then, with the aid of the map Sister Bartlett showed the children the various routes she had taken on her several voyages. Each port had its characteristic features and interests. The children quickly travelled from Australia to Ceylon, Bombay, Egypt, Lemnos, and Malta, past the famous Rock of Gibraltar, which she was fortunate enough to see flashing fire, thence to England and Scotland, and home again via Sierra Leone, Cape Town and Durban. Many a history and geography lesson will flash with interest when memory calls to the forefront any of the interesting stories related. The children showed their appreciation of Sister Bartlett and her work with the soldier boys by giving her three hearty Australian cheers.

Corryong Courier (Vic), Thur 5 Aug 1920 (p.3):
Mr S. Bartlett, who has resided in Corryong for many years, left last week to live with his daughter, Sister Ivy Bartlett, who recently purchased a private hospital in Kew. Mr Bartlett was the recipient of a travelling rug from the townspeople. To-day, the old gentleman will enter into his 85th year.

Table Talk (Melb, Vic), Thur 2 Sept 1920 (p.31):
Social
Sister Ivy Bartlett (late of the Caulfield Military Hospital) is taking a well earned holiday at The Chalet, Mt Buffalo, and is accompanied by her niece Miss Beatrice Simpson. Sister Bartlett has lately taken over “Lyntor” Private Hospital, A’Beckett-st., Kew.

The Argus (Melb, Vic), Sat 18 Sept 1926 (p.17):
MARRIAGES
THWAITES – BARTLETT – On the 28th July, at Hawthorn Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. W. Irvine Davidson, Percival F., younger son of the late Robert F. Thwaites and Mrs Thwaites, late of Camberwell, to Ivy, youngest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Sydney Bartlett, late of Corryong. (Present address, Pakenham)

The Argus (Melb, Vic), Thur 27 Apr 1939 (p.7):
VOLUNTARY AID
PAKENHAM – At a well-attended public meeting a voluntary aid detachment was formed. Officers elected were: – ……………..; woman superintendent, Mrs P.F. Thwaites; ………

1942 Fire, Pakenham Orchard: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215707060

The Age (Melb, Vic), Mon 21 Dec 1964 (p.16):
DEATHS
THWAITES – On December 20, at R.G.H. Heidelberg, Ivy Florence McIntosh of Fairholm, Ahern Road, Pakenham East, dearly loved wife of the late Percival, in her 80th year.
FUNERAL NOTICES
THWAITES – The friends of the late Mrs IVY FLORENCE McINTOSH THWAITES, of Pakenham East, are notified that her funeral will leave St James’s Church of England, Pakenham East, TOMORROW, after a service to commence at 1.10 p.m., for the Springvale Crematorium.

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 1884 at Wodonga, Vic.
Daughter of Sydney BARTLETT and Mary nee THORNBURN
Of Corryong, Vic.
Enlisted 04 August 1915
Aged 31 years
Embarked 04 August 1915 from Melbourne per 'Orontes'
Embarked 25 September 1917 from Sydney per 'Kanowna'
Served in Egypt
Returned to Australia per 'Kanowna'
Appointment terminated 17 May 1919
Married in 1926 to Percival Ferry THWAITES.
Died December 1964 in Heidelberg, Vic.
Cremated 23 December 1964 at Springvale Botanical Cemetery and ashes scattered