Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Major Gertrude Lilian Ronayne was born on the 30th of September 1887 in Tanunda, South Australia. Her parents were Mrs. Phoebe Ronayne and Mr. Carl Stanislaus von Bertouch. Gertrude grew up with her three siblings Roland, Val and Mark Ronayne in Keswick, City of West Torrens, South Australia. Her father died on the 3rd of September 1922 at the age of 64 years old, however, Gertrude’s mother outlived Gertrude and died on the 18th of August, 1945 in her eighties.

Gertrude completed a three-year apprenticeship at the Adelaide Children's Hospital, and consequently Gertrude Lilian Ronayne became Sister G. L. Ronayne. Gertrude enlisted in the Australian Nursing Corps on the 5th of July 1917 at 29 years and 8 months. During World War I, Gertrude served as a staff nurse on the HMAT (No.1 AHS) Karoola (Figure 3) and at the No. 7 Australian General Hospital (AGH) in London. Gertrude embarked with the Hospital Transport Corps on the 12th of September 1917 from Melbourne. She served on  the HMAT (No.1 AHS) Karoola and at the No. 7 Australian General Hospital (AGH) in London until the end of World War 1. Gertrude set sail from London to Australia on December 30, 1918 (Figure 4). She maintained her responsibilities until the HMAT (No. 1 AHS) Karoola returned to Australia. 

Gertrude was discharged from her first enlistment on the 20th of September 1919, due to a cessation in hostilities. Like most the Australians who served in World War 1, her service record says that Gertrude was awarded a 1914/1915 Star, a British War Medal, and a Victory Medal, however there is no proof that she was officially given the medals. 

Gertrude lived and worked at the Repatriation Hospital at the Keswick Barracks from 1921 until her involvement in World War II.

Gertrude was 53 when she first reenlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Corp to help the World War II effort in 1940. In World War II , Gertrude served as the Matron at the 105 Australian General Hospital (AGH). She was the first Matron to be appointed to the 105 Australian General Hospital (AGH). After only 8 months she was put on sick leave after becoming ill. Her leave was extended until she was discharged on the 22nd of January 1943. 

Gertrude passed away at the age of 57 at the Royal Adelaide Hospital on the 11th of July 1945. She was buried at the Centennial Park Cemetery on the 12th of July 1945. Her grave has since been reclaimed due to fees not being paid. When she passed away, she was the senior staff sister of the surgical and theatre block at the Repatriation Hospital at Keswick. She was made a Major after she was discharged. She never married.

Gertrude showed the ANZAC spirit and the qualities of courage and perseverance by serving in both World War I and World War II as a nurse. She enlisted as a single woman and persevered in conditions and hostilities that would have been unfathomable especially in the 1900s. She cared for her comrades throughout the war and supported her community when she returned home. She assisted in opening the ‘Tanunda Fallen Soldiers Memorial’ after World War I, a memorial which recognised the men and women who did not come home to Tanunda and the surrounding areas. She also regularly when to meetings of the ‘Returned Army Sisters’ (continuing her collegiality) between the Wars. Gertrude was an integral part of the community and was regularly mentioned in newspaper articles involving the ‘Returned Army Sisters.’ Gertrude Lilian Ronayne epitomised the ANZAC Spirit assisting her country in the war effort, caring for her fellow countrymen and building her community spirit on her return.