PRATT, Laura Cumming
| Service Number: | AANS |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 February 1915, Place of enlistment - Melbourne, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Head Sister |
| Last Unit: | Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1) |
| Born: | Melbourne, Victoria, 1877 |
| Home Town: | Ascot Vale, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Trained at Alfred Hospital and Women's Hospital in Melbourne |
| Occupation: | Certified Nurse |
| Died: | Melbourne, Victoria, 4 January 1966, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne Ashes Scattered |
| Memorials: | Bass Glen Forbes Heroes Pictorial Roll of Honour, Bass Glen Forbes Roll of Honor WW1, Beeac Presbyterian Church Honour Roll WWI |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Feb 1915: | Enlisted Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Sister, AANS, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Place of enlistment - Melbourne, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Feb 1915: |
Embarked
Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Sister, AANS, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Embarked on RMS Osterley from Melbourne on 17th February 1915, disembarking England. Initially posted to Convalescent Depot , Harefield Park was then detached for duty with No. 1 Auxiliary Hospital Harefield. |
|
| 1 Mar 1916: |
Promoted
Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Head Sister, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), |
|
| 3 Jun 1916: | Honoured Royal Red Cross (2nd Class), "relating to conspicuous services rendered" | |
| 12 Dec 1919: | Honoured Royal Red Cross (1st Class), "In recognition of her valuable nursing services in connexion with the war" | |
| 24 Jan 1920: | Embarked Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Head Sister, AANS, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Embarked for return to Australia on HMT Osterley from England on 24th January 1920, disembarking Melbourne on 5th March 1920. | |
| 20 Jun 1920: | Discharged Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Head Sister, AANS, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1) |
Help us honour Laura Cumming Pratt's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Daughter of James PRATT of 'Dieside' Bloomfield Road, Ascot Vale, Melbourne, Vic.
Trained at Alfred Hospital and Women's Hospital, Melbourne
Married Walter Churchill FISHER
Resided at 81 Bambra Road, Caulfield in 1945 when her husband predeceased her.
Awarded Royal Red Cross (1st Class)
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 25 March 1920
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Page 392, position 39
Date of London Gazette: 12 December 1919
Location in London Gazette: Page 15458, position 3
Awarded Royal Red Cross 2nd Class
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Page 2622, position 64
Date of London Gazette: 3 June 1916
Location in London Gazette: Page 5602, position 6
Mrs. Walter Churchill Fisher was recently presented by the King with the Royal Red Cross (First Class) and was the only member of the Australian Nursing Service so honoured on that occasion. As Sister Laura Cumming Pratt she went to England in 1915, and was associated in the organisation of the first Australian hospital at Harefield. She served in other hospitals in England and France. Shortly before the armistice she was recalled to headquarters as assistant to the matron-in-chief. She embarked for Australia in January last, was demobilised, and returned to England in August for her marriage with Mr. Fisher, manager for the United Kingdom of the Australian Mutual Provident Society.
Sydney Morning Herald Friday 14 January 1921 page 6
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