Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

OBITUARY.
SISTER E. E. M. DOEPKE

Much regret was expressed when it became known that Sister E. E. M. Doepke had passed
away at a private hospital in Adelaide on January 23. Her remains were interred in the
North Road Cemetery, Enfield, on January 24, the burial service being conducted by Rev. A. R. Thrush. After returning from World War I, where she service as a nurse in Belgium, France
and England, she was for some time relieving matron at the Port Lincoln Hospital. Following
that she accepted the permanent position as matron of the Tumby Bay Hospital, where she remained for 24 years. In February, 1944, failing health decided Sister Doepke to refrain from further activities. She was tendered a public farewell by her many Tumby Bay and district friends. She leaves a brother, Mr. A. R. Doepke, of Swift Avenue, Dulwich.

Port Lincoln Times Thursday 01 February 1945 page 1

Unveiling Of Plaque At Tumby Bay Hospital
IN MEMORY OF MATRON ELFRIEDA DOEPKE

On Sunday afternoon a bronze plaque was Unveiled at the entrance to the Tumby Bay Hospital by Dr.B. W. Wibberley, in memory of Matron Elfrieda E. M. Doepke, who successfully conducted the Tumby Bay Hospital for 24 years. Alongside the plaque, which was on a wooden pedestal, was a photograph of the late matron in the uniform of a sister of World War I. There was a representative gathering of local and district folk. The plaque bears the following inscription : --
' In Memory of ELFRIEDA E. M. DOEPKE, and in grateful recognition of her services as Matron of this Hospital, 1920-1844.'
The chairman of the Hospital Board (Mr. J. K. Schramm) said that the name of Sister Doepke was well known and highly respected throughout the district. She had been the right hand pillar of the Board, and had given untiring service to the community. It was fitting that her memory be immortalised in the form of a plaque. The reason for holding the ceremony in the open was to save the staff cleaning mud from the premises which would have been inevitable; however, the plaque would be placed on the wall of the entrance hall. It gave him great pleasure to introduce Dr. Wibberley and request him to unveil the memorial. Dr. Wibberley expressed pleasure at being asked to take part in the ceremony. He said that during her 24 years' service, Sister Doepke saw the hospital from from a small cottage-like building to the present modern 20-bed hospital, and during that period approximately 2,000 babies were born in the institution. Sister Doepke was able to do work which amazed the younger generation — she could cook, do the washing and cleaning, and was outstanding in her profession as a nurse, her life's work. It was to be regretted that after her retirement she had indifferent health. In appreciation of her long service it gave him much pleasure to unveil the plaque. After the singing of the National Anthem, the public were invited to inspect the plaque.

Port Lincoln Times Thursday 08 June 1950 page 14

Elfrieda was born on 30 May 1883 at Mannum to Albert Julius Doepke and Gezine Doepke (nee Rundle).  She was the second eldest of 4 children in the family, 2 boys and 2 girls.

She went to school in Adelaide and on leaving commenced her nursing training at the Adelaide Hospital before undertaking a Certificate Course in Surgical training; after this she completed 4 years nursing in a Private Hospital in Adelaide before applying for the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS).  On her application she gave her occupation as Nurse, her mother as next of kin and her address as Wayville.

After acceptance/enlistment as a Staff Nurse in the AANS on 1 May 1915 she reported to Keswick 2 weeks later, before embarking aboard HMAT “Mooltan” on 20 May 1915 for the Middle East, disembarking at Alexandria. In early 1916 she was on the move again, embarking at Alexandria on HMHS “Salta” bound for France, disembarking at Marseilles on 6 Apr 1916 and being taken on strength by her unit, 1st Australian General Hospital (AGH), at Rouen. As a matter of interest HS “Salta” was sunk by a German mine on later crossing whilst entering Le Havre: many of the crew plus 24 nurses and 76 patients were lost.

On 4 Apr 1916 she was detached from 1st AGH to No.1 British General Hospital (BGH) at Entreat (Fr), where she remained for a month before being detached to 6th Stationary Hospital at Havre (Fr); during this detachment she became ill and was admitted to hospital. She finally returned to her unit (1st AGH) on 17 August 1916.

On 23 Mar 1917 she was again admitted to hospital, this time with measles. She remained in hospital for several weeks and was then given convalescent leave to UK, re-joining her unit on 1 Aug 1917. A month later she was promoted to Sister.

After Armistice she was ordered to report to Sutton Vemy Hospital (UK); she embarked on 21 Dec 1918 from France for the UK, arriving at Southampton 2 days later.

On 4 Jul 1919 she embarked aboard HS “Dunvegan Castle” for return to Australia, arriving in Perth in early Aug 1919 before transhipping to SS “Zealandic” and arriving in Adelaide on 21 Aug 1919. She was demobilised and her appointment in the AANS was terminated on 24 Oct 1919.

Sister Doepke then took on the role of relieving matron at the Port Lincoln Hospital, following which she accepted the permanent position as matron of the Tumby Bay Hospital in 1920. She remained in this position for 24 years, during which time she saw the hospital grow from a small cottage-like building to a modern 20-bed hospital.

She was a strict disciplinarian to both staff and patients, but she was outstanding in her profession as a nurse, and was well known and highly respected throughout the district. During her tenure approximately 2,000 babies were born in the hospital. She was able to do work which amazed the younger generation of nurses - she could cook, sew, and do the washing and cleaning.

In Feb 1944, failing health forced Sister Doepke to retire from her life's work as a nurse. She was given a public farewell by her many Tumby Bay and District friends.

Sister E. E. M. Doepke passed away in a private hospital in Adelaide on 23 Jan 1945. She is buried in the
North Road Cemetery, Enfield.