Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ethel Maud STRICKLAND was born on the 4th of January 1879 at Geelong, Vic – the daughter of Samuel John STRICKLAND and Jane BROWN, who married in Vic in 1878.  Jane was about to give birth to their third child, when following a very brief illness, Samuel died of inflammation of the lungs on the 14th May 1886 at their residence in Yarra St, Geelong, aged 32.   A fund was set up by his many friends to collect donations to help provide for his widow and children.  Then on the 26th July, Jane also lost her infant daughter, Nellie, aged just over 10 weeks.  A severe illness took Jane on the 25th August 1895, at Prahran.

Siblings: Mabel Alice b.1883 Geelong – married Reginald Kirkham HARMSWORTH 1907 Vic; Nellie May b.&d.1886 Geelong

Ethel trained in nursing at the Melbourne Hospital for 3 years, remaining for another year and a half as a Sister.  She then took up 3 years of Private nursing, before establishing her own Private Hospital; “St Margaret’s” in Beach Rd, Sandringham, for a further 3 years.  She was a member of the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses Association, the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS), and held a Matron’s Certificate.

WW1 Service:
On the 25th of June 1915 she applied to join the AANS, AIF for overseas service. As a member of the Hospital Transport Corps, and Matron in charge of the nursing staff, Ethel embarked in Melbourne on the 17th of July 1915 on the RMS Orsova.  Their destination was England where they were to join the newly fitted out No. 2 Hospital Ship Kanowna.  Arriving in London late August the Kanowna wasn’t quite ready for them, and Ethel and her nursing staff had the option of free passes to visit Scotland, Wales or Ireland, but Ethel chose to stay in London where she visited the hospitals and convalescent homes, “and was impressed at the manner in which the nation realized its responsibilities to the sick and wounded.”

The medical and nursing staff eventually returned to London and joined the Kanowna on the 25th of September which then sailed the following day.  This was to be the first of the eight voyages back to Australia that Ethel was with the ship.  Each time the ship was in port in England Ethel and her staff were usually attached to the 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital (AAH) at Southall, while waiting for it to resail.

From an interview with Ethel in 1917:
“It is exacting work, of course, and on the trips home to Australia with the wounded aboard there is practically no time off duty at all.  The nurses feel quite ready for the comparative rest of the trip back again, when they are able to mend and attend to hundreds of little personal matters that have to be ignored in the stress of duty with a big boatload of patients.  Miss Strickland says that the nurses are glad to just rest; and going to bed is the most popular form of recreation on the return trip."

“Yes, there are often bad cot cases, and operations are frequently performed; we have a splendidly equipped theatre aboard,” Miss Strickland proudly replies to an inquiry.  “Oh, the boat is not always rocking, and operations can be done at sea as well as on land usually.  There are many cases where splinters of bone, bullets, shell and shrapnel have to be extracted on the voyage out, and cases often develop in unforeseen ways after leaving London, requiring immediate attention by skilled hands during the voyage.  There are many inconveniences, of course, and a lurch of the ship will often upset all your dressings.”

Scanty details from Ethel’s Service Record:
Returned to duty 22/12/1915 (2nd MD).  Arrived in England 26/8/1916.  Left again for Australia 4/9/1916.  Detached for duty 2nd AAH Southall, ex Kanowna 15/5/1917.  Detached from attached duty with 2nd AAH to No. 2 Hospital Ship for return to Australia 14/7/1917.  No 2 HS sailed from Sydney 26/9/1917 – Plymouth 28/11/1917.  M/O from HQ for embark to Aust 14/12/1917.  Re-embarked HS Kanowna, Sydney 26/2/1918.

Date of final disembarkation ex Kanowna 22/5/1918 – Transferred ashore from No 2 HS Kanowna to 3rd MD – struck off strength of No. 2 HS 4/6/1918 and transferred to AMC Details [the day before Kanowna sailed once more, with Ethel’s successor, Violet Mills as matron in charge].

[see “A ship’s life; the Kanowna story” (in links) for full detail of voyages]

*Awarded the Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (ARRC) [London Gazette 23/2/1917, p.1954]  Received her medal (along with Sister Bertha Williams) at an investiture in Hyde Park, London (opposite the Knightsbridge Barracks) on the 2nd June 1917 – during a ceremony in which over 300 received decorations, including 7 VCs.

*Awarded the Royal Red Cross, 1st Class [London Gazette 12/12/1919, p.15458]

Ethel, who had been residing with her sister Mrs Harmsworth in Glenhuntly since leaving the Kanowna in June, terminated her appointment as from the 22nd of September 1918 in order to marry.

She married Ronald Valentine Swanwater McPHERSON on the 23rd September 1918 at All Saints Church, St Kilda, Vic.
[Ronald was born 10/8/1881 St Arnaud, Vic – son of William George and Alice Gertrude (nee Mogg) – WW1: Major, 8th FAB, MID; a Bank Manager, he had previously served in the Boer War: Cpl 1304 5th Vic Mtd Rifles]

The couple had met when they returned to Australia together on the Kanowna 16/12/1917 – 13/2/1918 (Vic) – Ethel on duty and Ronald convalescent (he had been wounded in both legs in Nov 1917).  Ethel had completed one more-round trip after this.

Children (2):
1. Jean Mary b.11/7/1919 Armadale – WW2: Masseuse, R.A.A.F.N.S. – engaged to P.W. GRAHAM (R.A.A.F.) 1944 – engaged to M.J. PULLAR (WW2) 1946
2. Ian Ronald b.1/5/1921 Mornington – WW2: VX60200 Army Cpl – engaged to D.D. MOORE 1948 – engaged to M McINTYRE 1951

Resident in Mornington 1919, 1921 / 30 Sandringham Rd, Sandringham 1924 / 39 North Rd, Elsternwick 1942 / 277 St Kilda St, Brighton 1944, 1954

Ronald died suddenly at home in Brighton on the 12th of August 1954 and was cremated at Springvale

Ethel died at Brighton on the 31st of March 1958, and was cremated at Springvale Cemetery on the 2nd of April where her ashes were interred in the Tristania Garden.

****************

The Brisbane Courier, Mon 29 Nov 1915 [p.7&8]
THE HOME-COMING – 81 SOLDIERS RETURN
BROUGHT TO BRISBANE BY HOSPITAL SHIP
THE MEDICAL STAFF AND NURSES
……………… In the course of an interview the matron (Sister Strickland) gave an interesting account of the trip from London. The unit had left Australia to join the present hospital ship in London, but as it was not ready on their arrival they were given free passes to Scotland, Wales or Ireland, there hotel expenses were paid, and everywhere the greatest kindness and hospitality were shown to them.  Some went to Scotland, and some went to Ireland, and the experience was the same everywhere – nothing was too good for Australians.  She visited the hospitals and convalescent homes in London, and was impressed at the manner in which the nation realized its responsibilities to the sick and wounded.  The most beautiful homes in England were placed at their disposal, fully equipped and staffed.  The Red Cross work was marvelous, the wants of the hospitals being liberally supplied and maintained.  Asked if Red Cross goods reached the wounded men, Matron Strickland emphatically replied, “Yes; there is a systematized supply of medical comforts constantly reaching hospital ships and hospitals.” The voyage from London occupied 62 days.  At each port of call the hospitals were visited if the needs of their own patients permitted.  Matron Strickland spoke of the excellent work on board the ship.  Out of 450 wounded men only 4 succumbed, yet the injuries of a number were so severe as to necessitate some serious operations.  The hospital ward was well equipped, and nothing was wanting that would contribute to the comfort or recovery of the men.  There was an operating theatre, and an X-ray room.  Amongst the patients were 4 blind men, 1 mental case, and others very seriously maimed.  “But the cheerfulness,” she said, “was wonderful.  At every port they like to be in the fun, and insisted on being allowed to sit on deck.”  Sister Ida and Sister Harden …………  Both spoke of the capable expert work done on board since the first of the wounded men were brought on board, and the unremitting care that had been bestowed on them by the medical officer in charge (Lieutenant-Colonel Brockway) and the matron.  The outdoor uniform of the nurses, it was noticed, was completed by a neat grey felt hat, scarlet bandeau, and grey veil.  “We are the first unit to wear this hat,” said the matron, “and it was by request to Surgeon Superintendent Williams and by pointing out the unsuitability of the close-fitting bonnet.”  By the courtesy of the Assistant Home Secretary a motor car was placed at the disposal of the matron and party of nurses, who enjoyed a drive to One Tree Hill and were entertained on their return by Dr, Mrs, and the Misses Brockway at afternoon tea at their residence, Thrums, Wickham-terrace.  …………

The Argus (Melb, Vic), Sat 24 Feb 1917 (p.19):
Awards for Nurses
The Royal Red Cross, Second Class, has been awarded to the following:
Australians – Matrons ………….., E.M. Strickland, and ……………..

The Sun (Sydney, NSW), Sun 18 Mar 1917 (p.14):
WOMEN’S SPHERE
NURSING ON A TRANSPORT – LIFE AT SEA
ROYAL RED CROSS FOR MATRON
“What we owe to the Red Cross cannot be sufficiently emphasized.  Its splendid provision for the hospital transports makes just all the difference in the work of tending the patients on board,” declares Miss Ethel Strickland, matron on the hospital boat that arrived here last week.
Matron Strickland has just been awarded the Royal Red Cross, and has been already five trips on hospital transport duty between England and Australia. She comes originally from Victoria, and trained at the Melbourne Hospital, after which she had a private hospital of her own at Sandringham (Melbourne). Some time before the war Miss Strickland underwent a course of training in military nursing, so was well fitted for the work ahead of her. She was accepted for military service in July, 1915, when she left in charge of 134 nurses, and has been on duty attached to the same transport ever since.
“It is exacting work, of course, and on the trips home to Australia with the wounded aboard there is practically no time off duty at all. The nurses feel quite ready for the comparative rest of the trip back again,when they are able to mend and attend to hundreds of little personal matters that have to be ignored in the stress of duty with a big boatload  of patients.”
Miss Strickland says that the nurses are glad to just rest; and going to bed is the most popular form of recreation on the return trip.
“Yes, there are often bad cot cases, and operations are frequently performed; we have a splendidly equipped theatre aboard,” Miss Strickland  proudly replies to an inquiry. “Oh, the boat is not always rocking, and operations can be done at sea as well as on land usually. There are many cases where splinters of bone, bullets, shell and shrapnel have to be extracted on the voyage out, and cases often develop in unforeseen ways after leaving London, requiring immediate attention by skilled hands during the voyage. There are many inconveniences, of course, and a lurch of the ship will often upset all your dressings.”
Miss Strickland is most enthusiastic about the courtesy and kindness of the Red Cross everywhere. “It is so splendid to be met and have your luggage looked after, and to be whisked off in a motor immediately on arrival,” she says. “And how splendid they are to the men! Everywhere motors are ready to take them about; only the pride and independence of the Australian boy often makes him reluctant to accept so much lavish hospitality and kindness ‘for nothing.’”
“We nurses are always included in the kind cordiality at the different ports, but, of course, it is not often that we can go off duty, and then leave must be taken in turns.”
One of the happiest times we spent at Durban on the trip out, Miss Strickland says, and this was undoubtedly owing to the fact that the serving of intoxicants to the men was prohibited.  The ordinary lay mind cannot conceive at once what a great difference this makes.  But men who are weak and ill are affected by the slightest amount of stimulant, and it is heartbreaking for the nurses and doctors to find convalescents having the careful nursing and attention of weeks all undone in a single afternoon.  At Durban the men were entertained lavishly, and big “spreads” were given by both the Methodists and the Y.M.C.A.  The free tram rides appealed to the men tremendously.  It is not that the Anzac begrudges his tuppence – he spends royally wherever he goes.  But the courtesy of being allowed free on the trams appealed to him, and for the rest of the voyage this was often commented upon.

The transport is supplied with all requisite comforts by the Red Cross when it leaves Australia, and these are used for the return trip with the consignment of wounded.  It is not only the hospital necessities, the garments, and such comforts, as well as jam, pickles, cigarettes, and chocolate, but the games, cards, literature, and amusements for the patients that are valued by the staff.  The journey is tedious at any time, but for sick men – some suffering very severely – the hours are long indeed.  So the amusements are a great boon to the nurses, who say that they make an amazing difference to patient’s progress, as there is invariably a big percentage of insomnia and nerve trouble cases.

The nurses have only about a week’s pause in London, and are cut off from the world, and even news of the war.  They cannot receive many mails, as a letter intended to catch them in London or again in Sydney must just follow by a boat leaving at about the same time as their own.  So the noble army of military nurses whose duty has fallen on a transport are fulfilling their part in the great struggle.  Some have to relinquish their appointments owing to sea-sickness.  Many grow weary of the sea life, the ship food, and the isolation from the world ashore, but stick to their posts and carry on.  Though they do not face the very strenuous happenings of hospitals close to the front they risk the danger of submarines, and are sacrificing comfort and the thousand necessities and luxuries of life ashore in remaining where they are needed, on board the transports.

Weekly Times (Vic), Sat 26 May 1917 (p.10):
RED CROSS HEROINES DECORATED
Special qualifications secured a responsible position in the army service for Miss Ethel Maude Strickland, at the time of her enlistment.  She volunteered for service at the outbreak of war, expecting to go to the front as an ordinary military nurse.  When she reached the barracks to make final arrangements, she was greeted with the cheery news that she had been appointed matron on one of the transports.  None of her colleagues grudged her the good fortune.  Long before her entry into the military sphere she was regarded as a distinguished member of the nursing sisterhood, and she had the certain traits of character found in those born to lead and administer.  On her first trip her services, were so much appreciated that the military authorities decided to retain her for transport duty.  Ever since she enlisted she has been travelling between England and Australia, attending to the needs of sick soldiers.  For the national service she has rendered in this direction she has been awarded the Royal Red Cross decoration. 

She is frequently in the danger area, but she sets out on each new voyage without showing the slightest anxiety.  More than once she has been at close quarters with a submarine, but these dangers have not destroyed her nerve, and she is determined to remain at her post.  On her last trip to Melbourne, not very long ago, she confessed to one thrilling experience that upset her more than any other of her numerous adventures.  So that everything should be in readiness in case of an attack, it was decided to have a life-saving drill demonstration.  Miss Strickland, with another nursing sister, took a place in one of the life boats, which, according to orders, had to be lowered to the sea.  Before the boat touched the water defective tackle caused it to assume a slanting position.  Casting their eyes downward, the two nurses found themselves gazing into the eyes of a ferocious-looking shark, who had another ugly monster keeping it company.  They were very soon hauled to safety, but neither of them is likely to forget the horror that was crowded into that brief moment when they realized the awful end that awaited them if the boat capsized.  This incident only serves to show how the Red Cross heroines are shouldering their share of danger with the men whom they have gone forth to help.

Miss Strickland is a trainee of the Melbourne Hospital, and was a staff sister there for some time.  Later she established at Sandringham the private hospital known as “St Margaret’s.”

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Wed 25 Jul 1917 [Issue No. 116], p.1544:
War Office, 23rd February, 1917.
His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Royal Red Cross Decoration to the undermentioned ladies, in recognition of their valuable services in connexion with the War:
Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class –
Miss E.M. STRICKLAND, Matron, Australian Army Nursing Service.

Evening News (Sydney, NSW), Sat 4 Aug 1917 (p.6):
LONDON LETTER, June 8
AUSTRALIAN NURSE DECORATED – AT SEA FOR TWO YEARS
Two Australian ladies were among the honored nurses, in Miss Strickland and Miss Williams. I was able to have a short conversation with Matron Strickland at Southall Hospital. She is a Melbourne nurse, and up to…………[difficult to read]
Six trips each way means that Matron Strickland can count up the tidy total of about 130,000 miles of ocean travelling.  She is a good sailor, and the comparatively few occasions of rough weather have not interrupted her attention to duty.  She speaks very feelingly of the patience of the men under the small trials that frequently worry sick people.  Always buoyant at the thought of the direction of the ship’s nose, their pains were forgotten.  And at all the ports of call they were greatly pleased at the people’s thoughtful kindness.  Capetown always excelled itself by generous attention to our wounded, and each Australian harbor held thousands of kind hearts.  As for the Sydney Red Cross branch, Miss Strickland said “It is generosity itself, and overflows with foreseeing regard for the men’s comfort.  The matron received the Royal Red Cross, which is a silver cross inlaid with red enamel, the customary ribbon being royal blue, with a red margin on each side.  After the ceremony she was captured by her fellow-nurses of the ship, taken to a restaurant, and regaled at a congratulatory tea.  She told me that it was these ladies who did all the work on the ship, but I took the liberty of doubting the lady’s word.

The Herald (Melb, Vic), Wed 13 Feb 1918 (p.8):
THEIR DUTY DONE
There was great activity at Port Melbourne again today, when a further contingent of 1302 invalided soldiers returned. ……………………….
THE NURSES AND THE SHARK
In charge of the invalided soldiers on board was Matron E.M. Strickland A.R.R.C.  She is a Victorian attached to the Australian Army Nursing Service, who has been doing duty on one of the hospital ships since it was first commissioned.  She is well known in Melbourne, and was decorated with the Royal Red Cross of the second class by the King at the Birthday ceremony in Hyde Park, London, on June 2, 1917.  More than once she has been in close quarters with submarines, but risks such as these have not destroyed her nerve.  On one occasion, during life-saving drill, she and another nurse had taken their places in the lifeboat when it was …. by defective tackle into a slanting position.  The two nurses were speedily hauled to safety, but not before they had caught sight of two sharks in the sea, just below them.  Matron Strickland is a trainee of Melbourne Hospital, where she was staff sister for some time.  Later she established St Margaret’s Private Hospital, Sandringham.

Punch (Melb, Vic), Thur 3 October 1918 (p.38):
WEDDINGS
MAJOR RONALD V.S. McPHERSON AND NURSE ETHEL STRICKLAND
An interesting wedding was celebrated at All Saints’ Church, East St Kilda, on Monday, 23rd September, by the Rev. J.W. Ashton, between Major Ronald V.S. McPherson (late A.I.F.), eldest son of the late Mr W.G. McPherson and Mrs McPherson, “Cotswold,” Toorak-road, Toorak, and Matron Ethel Strickland (Royal Red Cross).  The bride, who was given away by her cousin, Mr P. McCullagh (Sydney), wore white crepe de chine, with bodice of Limerick lace, and carried a shower bouquet.  …………

Major McPherson, who served with the Artillery in France, was severely wounded, and was only recently discharged.  Matron Strickland has been residing with her sister, Mrs R. Harmsworth, Waratah-avenue, Glenhuntly, since returning from the last trip as matron on the hospital ship Kanowna, on which she made six or seven trips.  She received her Military Cross [sic – Royal Red Cross] from King George at an investiture at Hyde Park, London.  It was on her last trip that she met Major McPherson, and the romance has ended happily.

Punch (Melb, Vic), Thur 3 October 1918 (p.40):
Causerie
Major and Mrs Ronald McPherson (Matron Strickland, R.R.C.) have gone to Tasmania for a few weeks’ tour.

Shepparton Advertiser (Vic), Mon 7 Oct 1918 (p.1):
TROOPSHIP ROMANCE
ARMY MATRON AND AUSTRALIAN OFFICER
On Monday last Miss Ethel Maude Strickland, M.C.[sic – R.R.C.], one of the military nursing sisterhood, changed her army uniform for conventional wedding attire to marry Major Ronald Valentine Swanwater McPherson, at All Saints’ Church, St Kilda.  The bride was attended by Miss Jean Harmsworth and Miss McPherson, sister of the bridegroom, Mr Fred McCullagh (West Australia) gave her away.  Later Mrs Reginald Harmsworth, sister of the bride, entertained a large number of relatives of both families at Wickliffe House.  In honor of the bridegroom, the wedding cake was decorated with his artillery colors, also miniature shells, and wagons.  The nurse and soldier first became acquainted on a vessel by which Major McPherson returned to Melbourne a few months ago.  Miss Strickland has been doing duty as a matron on hospital ships since they were first commissioned.  She enlisted as an ordinary army nurse, and was not aware that she had been appointed matron of the outgoing boat until she went to headquarters to sign on.  More than once she had been in close quarters with submarines, but risks such as these have not destroyed her nerve.  She confesses that her most trying experience was being placed under the fire of the cinema operators in Hyde Park, when the King decorated her with a Military Cross [sic – Royal Red Cross] on June 2nd, 1917.  Miss Strickland is a trainee of the Melbourne Hospital, where she was a staff-sister for some time.  She is a granddaughter of the late Rev. F. Strickland, of Port Melbourne, who many years ago was connected with the Aborigines Mission Station at Coranderrk.  Major McPherson is a relieving manager with the Colonial Bank.

Punch (Melb, Vic), Thur 24 Oct 1918 (p.36):
Fact and Rumour
Major and Mrs Ronald McPherson (Matron Strickland, R.R.C.) have returned from their honeymoon in Tasmania, and are staying at “Dunvegan,” on the Esplanade, St Kilda.

The Argus (Melb, Vic), Sat 26 Jul 1919 (p.13):
BIRTHS
McPHERSON – On the 11th July, at Sister Annear’s hospital, Armadale, the wife of R.V.S. McPherson, Mornington – a daughter.

The Argus (Melb, Vic), Wed 4 May 1921 (p.1):
BIRTHS
McPHERSON – On the 1st May, to Mr and Mrs R.V.S. McPherson, of Mornington – a son.

The Argus (Melb, Vic), Sat 14 Aug 1954 (p.19):
DEATHS
McPHERSON, Ronald V.S. – On August 12 (suddenly), at his home, 277 St Kilda street, Brighton, beloved husband of Ethel McPherson, dearly loved father of Ian and Jean (Mrs M.J. Pullar).