Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ruth went to Western Australia with her parents and siblings in 1904.  She worked as a baby sitter and housekeeper for people with newborn babies before deciding to dedicate her life to the Nursing Profession. 

Her love of helping people determined her choice of career and Ruth commenced her Nursing training a year before the beginning of the Great War.  After graduation she immediately offered her services to the Military Authorities.  Her credentials were of the highest order, specializing in Surgical Nursing.  She was accepted and went to the base hospital in Fremantle.   She and two other nurses embarked 25 October 1918 on SS Malta from Fremantle to Bombay.  On arrival there they joined with other Australian and British Nurses and went into service in India.  On her return to WA, Ruth took a course in maternity Instruction at the King Edward Hospital.   She then returned to Perth Hospital and worked in Repatriation Wards 10 and 11.  For 14 years she was the Sister for the soldiers.  More than 11,000 boys went through her hands.  They called her Our sister Nightingale.  No words could describe what she did for her boys.  They were part of her family.  Even when she was off duty, if one of her boys was gravely ill she would be there for him night and day.  She was often the last sight many man saw as they closed their eyes for the last time.  This often brought her to tears.  Ruth helped the men, their wives and their children.  Nothing was too much trouble for her.  She spent about 80% of her wages on her boys.  Sister Ruth Victoria Jones is laid to rest at the highest point of Karrakatta Cemetery so that she could look over all her boys.
Her tombstone reads -

"And now she stands before the Great White Throne
and Christ in all his tenderness Doth Say,
'Sweet Sister, Welcome Home'
and the great all knowing answereth, 'Well Done
Thou good and faithful servant, enter thou
into the joy of thy Lord."

A fitting line is said:
"Let us not ever be sad, but thank God such a one as Sister Ruth Victoria Jones was given to us."

"There was a silence and a hush over the Perth Hospital.  doctors, Nurses and Staff walked around quietly, and talked in whispered tones.  There lay in one of the wards, a Nursing Sister who was so loved by all who came into contact with here.  In this time of uncertainty as to whether she would live or die, the men of her Ward - these men who had returned from the Great War - forgot their pain and suffering to ask, 'How is she?'.  The answer was not good.  She had a bad infection.  The Medical Staff fought as they had not fought before, to save this very special person.  but it was in vain for on Saturday, June 6th, 1936, god in His wisdom decided that He wanted her in Heaven with Him.  Thousands were left here to mourn her loss."

By the death of the late Sister Ruth Victoria Jones, who passed peacefully away to Higher Service, the returned men and the citizens of this State have lost a most loving and devoted friend. Born in Victoria, the deceased sister had resided in this State for the past 32 years.The profession she gave her attention to was one that required strict training, and produced the most beautiful qualities of unselfishness, motherly love and cheerfulness, all of which she displayed throughout her training, and after as a sister of the Repatriation Ward. It is to women of her calibre that the love and admiration of tine world is extended. She was possessed of a cheerful, kind and loving nature, and it is no wonder that soldiers and their relatives found in her a true and loyal friend. Much has been written and spoken of her wonderful work and kindness, and so we can only add, 'Vale, Sister! The funeral took place on Sunday, June 7, in the Wesleyan Cemetery, Karrakatta.  The cortege, at the conclusion of an impressive and touching address by the Rev. A. W. Bray, moved from the Perth Hospital, and passing, through a large and representative gathering, slowly proceeded to the cemetery. At the cemetery gates, the courtege passed through a long line of ex-service men, and led by the Revs. E.H.O. Nye , and A. W. Bray, wended its way to the graveside. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. E.H. O. Nye, who during a simple but touching address eulogised the beautiful qualities of the deceased sister; the Last Post being sounded by two buglers, ending the proceedings.
Telegrams were received from all over the Commonwealth and Overseas, aad numerous letters, cards and personal expressions of condolence conveyed to the bereaved mother and members of the family. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs C.H. Smith and Co.