Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Daughter of Robert and Alice Matilda CRAIG

Married Edwin Stewart ASHTON in Sydney, NSW in 1949
Resided 703 Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach, NSW

Late of Avalon Beach, formerly of Petersham and Eastwood

Her application for increased rate or payment of war pension in 1968 details her career as follows -

I am a First World War Army Nursing Sister who completed my General Training from January 1910 to December 1914 at Sydney Hospital. Received Gold Medal for top marks in Medical (99%) and Surgery (100% full marks) Examinations. This Gold Medal is given only once a year to the most outstanding trainee. Appointed Sister-in-Charge at Sydney Hospital from December 1914 to December 1916. During this time was appointed Night Superintendent for five (5) months of the entire hospital and directed the handling of all Casualty cases. Attached to the Army in December 1916. Appointed Sister at Randwick Military Hospital from December 1916 to June, 1917 ((6) months. Departed for Overseas War Service in June 1917 and was Sister designated as Staff Nurse for a destination "unknown" in which the Government called for volunteers. Embarked on "Mooltan" and was violently seasick for six (6) weeks. Landed in Egypt end of July 1917. Attached as Sister to 14th Australian General Hospital, Abbassia - 14th A.G.H. Also served with this same Unit at Port Said in 1918 until June 1919.

Whilst at Port Said suffered Nervous Exhaustion, Dizzy Spells and Head Pains and was treated by Dr. (now Sir) Charles Bickerton-Blackburn. Admitted to Red Cross Home in Alexandria. There for two (2) weeks then returned to duty. Collapsed again, then sent back to Red Cross Home at Alexandria for a further (1) week. Returned to duty at Port Said then contracted an eye infection of foreign origin which inflicted dreadful pain in my right eye. Treated by Dr. Bickerton Blackburn. Due to increased pressure of work I was not relieved of duty but transferred to night duty. Right eye was bandaged and covered with patch. My eyesight, particularly in my right eye, continued to deteriorate from then on. Later, at Abbassia, contracted a mouth infection (gindervitas) creating puss in gums. Treated by Army Dentist. Unable to be relieved of duty due to increasing number of casualties from battle areas. Less than one hundred (100) Nursing Sisters to over one thousand (1000) patients. Duty shifts were never less than twelve (12) hours and often worked continuously forty eight (48) hours straight without relief. Overwork and nervous exhaustion no doubt created a low resistance to infection. Handled hundreds of 'front line' cases and saw hundreds die. Was caught up in major riot in Cairo where many were killed. Again many repeated collapses due to strain and overwork. In June 1919 departed for Great Britain. Upon arrival in England was given a medical examination and was relieved of duty for six (six) weeks. After this recuperative period I was attached to No. 3 Australian General Hospital, as Sister, in Kent, Sussex - 3rd A.G.H. Also attached as Sister to Australian General Hospital No 3 Auxillary at Salisbury Plains until November 1919. Departed for Australia in November 1919, and arrived December 1919 but did not work from this date until December 1921 owing to ill health due to War Service. Collapsed again upon return home and did not work for two (2) years. Too ill. Bad food in Egypt over two (2) years caused malnutrition and made me severely anemic. In December 1919 I consulted a Macquarie Street Eye Specialist, Dr. Pittar, and was prescribed glasses due to the deterioration of my eyesight caused by the eye infections incurred in Egypt in 1917-1919. Dr. Pittar did not charge me for his services because I was a Returned Nursing Sister and, at the time, no Repatriation Benefits were available for First World War Nursing Sisters. In any event, I was brought up to received as little assistance as possible from the Government as can be seen from my records with the Social Services Department and Repatriation Department.

Decorations received for serving Overseas, 1914-1918 War, were Victory Medal and War Service Medal. Held Officer's Rank at all times equivalent to First Lieutenant, with appropriate Ribbons. Completed Obstetric Training from January 1922 until June 1922 - six (6) months. Completed Tressillian Training at Petersham Centre from June 1922 to December 1922 - six (6) months. During this time completed Post Graduate Course for Mothers and Babies from June 1922 to October 1922 - three (3) months - at Petersham Centre, and was then appointed Sister of Tressillian at Petersham Centre in Broken Hill Baby Health Centre by N.S.W. Departmental Board of Health as one of their original appointees. Served at Broken Hill from January 1923 until April 1924 - fourteen (14) months. In May 1924 was appointed Deputy Sister-In-Charge of Burwood Baby Health Centre which was the largest in the Commonwealth of Australia (1600 visits per month). Appointed Sister-In-Charge of Burwood Baby Health Centre in April 1925 and held this position for eleven (11) years until January 1936.

In January 1936 appointed to Head Office of Board of Health as relieving Supervisory Nursing Sister of all Hospitals in New South Wales (a position held by only six (6) others). Appointment confirmed on a permanent basis for three (3) years held this position which necessitated the inspection of all Hospital Records, the compilation of vast Reports personally given to the Director-General of Public Health and also to the Hospital's Commission of N.S.W. The attendance in Court all over the State was also necessary where and when required. Besides Inspectorship of all State Hospitals, I was also authorised to inspect all Private Hospitals and Practising Obstetric Nurses (Midwifes). These positions were held until January 1939. In February 1939 appointed to Pre-Natal Section of Board of Health. Carried out Inspections, in company with a qualified Medical Practitioner, of all Pre-Natal Clinics in N.S.W. (except Newcastle). At beginning of 1940 was retired by the N.S.W. Board of Health on 'Breakdown Pension' after almost thirty (30) years of Nursing Service. Obtained the highest positions possible and tributes received accorded to this fact, however failing eyesight and my general bad state of health occassioned my premature retirement from the N.S.W. Department of Health. This was originally due to my War Services rendered as above stated.

In 1940 worked for Red Cross with four other Returned Sisters engaged in making Medical Supplies for our Army Hospitals overseas, Surgical Gowns, Eye Bandages, etcetera. This work continued for two (2) years until 1942. For three (3) years from 1942 until the end of 1945 - Second World War - was appointed Sister-In-Charge of all First Aid Posts from Balmain East to Rozelle where it was expected that heavy bombing may occur should Sydney be attacked. Also engaged during this time in giving Official Lectures and Training to over thirty (30) civilians who volunteered for service in these First Aid Posts. During this same time for four (4) years form 1942 to 1946 also worked at Church of England Hostel at St. Andrews Cathedral which cared for Servicemen on leave. Duties consisted of making their beds, cleaning up, and providing general amenities. Also during this time worked for the Australian Comforts Fund, Legacy, and other charitable organisations associated with War Service personnel. Was also Secretary and Treasurer of St. Mary's Church of England Guild, Balmain East for five (5) years from 1944 until 1949. Maintained all Treasurer's records and other records required, e.g. Minute Book, etcetera. Member of St. Edmunds's Church of England for five (5) years from 1950 to 1955. Member Church of England, Newport Beach, from 1956 to 1958. Member of St. Mark's Church of England Ladies Auxillary for four (4) years from 1958 to 1962. Member of Dee Why R.S.L. Woman's Auxillary from 1960 to 1964. Member of Dee Why R.S.L. Club from 1960 to date - past eight (8) years. Admitted three times to Yaralla, Repatriation Hospital at Concord in recent years. Formerly treated by Dr. C.E. Southee of Newport prior to change to Dr. G. Weyland of Avalon due to inability to travel. A record would exist of all Medical attendances upon Dr. Saad of the Repatriation Department, and also for Dental Work, Hearing Tests and the supply of a Hearing Aid and batteries, and other medical services rendered. Repatriation Transport is provided on each occasion of my visit. On Thursday 09 September 1965, Dr Saad advised me that the cataracts on my eyes would be removed. This had been promised to me for the past three years and more. About three weeks ago Dr. Saad informed me that it was now 'too late' to restore the sight in my right eye, however he said that my left eye would be operated on 'when ready'. I am already almost completely blind and my sight is deteriorating daily. I do not wish to be totally blind, however my many consultations over a great many years with Dr. Saad have been of no avail. When I was advised that the sight in my right eye was not to be restored to me, and as it now appears that the present procrastination concerning my left eye may also render it 'too late' to save what little sight I have left, it is therefore in these circumstances of my increasing blindness and general state of health, that I make this application for T.P.I. Pension accordingly.