Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Daughter of W.T. FLETCHER of Neutral Bay, NSW
Trained at Coast Hospital, Sydney in 1906
Worked in England
In 1910 working as a private nurse with the Nice Nursing Institute on the Riviera, France
Became Maton in Charge of British Red Cross and Order of St. John Nurses in France in January 1915

Awards for her services including a mention in despatches, the Royal Red Cross in July 1915 at Buckingham Palace; the Order of St. John of Jerusalem; decorated by King of Belgium with a Medaille de la Reine Elisabeth avec Croix Rouge; a Mons Star with rosette; and the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1920
Demobilised May 1919
Died 1951

Australian nurse working in England, she served during World War I in-charge of the first batch of Red Cross nurses to arrive in France 1914, and as Principal Matron of the British Red Cross in France, 1915-1919

In 1921 she and her sister established a business called Manhattan Tea Shop and Bazaar, Kensington England. 

Nurse Nora Fletcher, a member of the A.T.N A., who trained at the Coast Hospital, has been given the greatly coveted post of matron at the headquarters in France of the Red Cross and St. John's Ambulance. Miss Fletcher, who has been practising her profession in England for the past six years, is a daughter of Mr. J. W. Fletcher, of Neutral Bay, Sydney.

HONOUR TO AUSTRALIAN NURSES.

At an investiture at Buckingham Palace his Majesty decorated Nurses Ida Greaves and Nora Fletcher, both of Australia, with the Royal Red Cross, the highest distinction that can be accorded to women. He pinned the decorations on their breasts personally, saying. "I am so very pleased with you.  Nurse Fletcher said, "It was a simple, pretty ceremony. The King looked very tired." 

Miss Nora Fletcher, R.R.C., of Sydney, has, according to advices just received from London, been decorated with the honorary serving sister grade of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England, for her services in France and Belgium with British Red Cross and Order of St. John. Sister Fletcher was mentioned in despatches, and received the Royal Red Cross (first class) on the occasion of the birthday honours in 1915.

In a recent issue of the Sydney Daily Telegraph appeared a photograph of an Australian nurse, Miss Nora Fletcher, who has gained great distinction during the war. The photograph portrays Miss Fletcher in her nurse's uniform, the face, which is strikingly interesting looking, is full of strength, purpose, and gentleness, and with the soft, half-sad expression so often seen in the true born nurse. Like so many nurses, she has done very fine work since the outbreak of war. According to the "Daily Telegraph," Miss Fletcher is a Sydney born woman, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. W. Fletcher, of Neutral Bay. She was trained at the Coast Hospital, Sydney, and afterwards went to England,where she was at the time war broke out, when she offered her services and was sent by the Red Cross Society to France. She was appointed matron of the British Red Cross, and she received recognition from the French Government, and afterwards was decorated by the British Government. Later she was mentioned in despatches for her services, and was among the recipients of the King's Birthday honours, being the recipient of the highest honour possible to women, the Royal Red Cross which His Majesty bestowed upon her at Buckingham Palace. Evidently Australia may yet be as proud of her daughters as she so justly is of her sons, who have earned the admiration and praise of the civilised world for the part they are playing in the great and terrible war now raging, and in which they are so ready to serve in defence of our Empire and all that is right and just.

Miss Nora Fletcher, of Sydney, who was matron-ln-chief of the British Red Cross in France and Belgium, has added C. B. E.  to her other orders and decorations, and must now have every honor, it is possible for a nurse to win , including  the Royal Red Cross, the Order of  St. John of Jerusalem, the Belgian Order of Elizabeth, the French Order of Gratitude, the 1914 Star, and the various war medals.

Miss-Nora Fletcher, the Queensland lady Who was Matron-in-chief of the Royal Red Cross in France during the war, was invested with the C.B.E. at Buckingham Palace this week. She is entitled to wear nine medals and innumerable letters after her name.