GRAY, Ethel
| Service Number: | AANS |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 February 1915, Place of Enlistment - Melbourne Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Matron |
| Last Unit: | Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1) |
| Born: | Carlton, Victoria, Australia, 24 April 1876 |
| Home Town: | North Perth, Vincent, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Lee Street State School, East Melbourne, Presbyterian Ladies' College, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Trained Nurse |
| Died: | Rchmond, Victoria, Australia, 22 July 1962, aged 86 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 23 Feb 1915: | Enlisted Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Matron, AANS, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Place of Enlistment - Melbourne Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Feb 1915: | Embarked Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Matron, AANS, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Embarked on RMS Osterley from Fremantle on 23rd February 1915, disembarking England | |
| 1 Sep 1915: | Transferred Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Matron, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Matron Gray enlisted in early 1915 and was sent to England to set up the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield Park, Harefield. She was matron at this hospital until 9th December 1916 when she was sent to the 2nd Australian General Hospital (AGH) at Wimereux, France until the hospital was closed. Returning to England in March 1919, she joined No 1 Australian GgeneralH at Sutton Veny till her return to Australia. She received the Royal Red Cross 1st Class in September 1916 and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in October 1919 along with the Medaille de 3me Classe de la Reconnaissance Francaise in 1920. | |
| 3 Jun 1916: | Honoured Royal Red Cross (1st Class), Awarded the decoration in recognition of her valuable services in connection with the war. | |
| 22 Jan 1920: | Embarked Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Matron, AANS, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Embarked for return to Australia on Friedrichsruh from England on 22nd January 1920, disembarking Melbourne on 9th March 1920. | |
| 22 Jul 1920: | Discharged Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Matron, AANS, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1) |
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Eldest daughter of Samuel and Amelia (nee BIRD) GRAY. Samuel was a clothing manufacturer from Ireland and Amelia was english, they had eight children.
Ethel Gray gained her Nursing Certificate from the Royal Melbourne Hospital on 12th March 1903 and was appointed a staff nurse two days later and became a Sister on 29th May of the same year. Her tenure at Royal Melbourne lasted until 1908 when she was appointed Matron of the Queen's Memorial Infectious Diseases Hospital at Fairfield a suburb of Melbourne. Matron Gray returned to the Royal Melbourne as house matron in July 1909.
Known for her dedication and exceptional organisational and administrative skills she would become one of the most highly decorated members of the AANS.
Awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire - recommendation reads "This Matron is recommended for length of service and loyal devotion to duty. She has held the position of Matron in Australian Hospitals in England and France, and under her chare a high standard has been maintained."
Mentioned in Despatches twice, the 1917 one stated "for distinguished and gallant service in the field between the period 26 Feb to Sept 26th 1917"
Awarded the Medaille de la Reconnaissance Française in 1920, being the only Australian woman to receive this honour.
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