Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Daughter of Alfred Menhennett and Hannah (nee Harding) Menhennett of Kapunda; sister of Herber Charles Menhennett, Frederick Charles Menhennett, Alfred Henry Menhennett, Arthur William Menhennett, Jessie Menhennett, Henry Morcom Menhennett, John Herbert Menhennett and Matthew Menhennett

Frederick served in WW1 with the 50th Battalion and Henry served with the 16th Battalion

3 June 1916 - awarded the Royal Red Cross 2nd Class

31 March 1919 - returned to Australia on board Wandilla with the rank of Head Sister

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Kapunda Nurses Honoured.
Royal Red Cross Distinctions.

The pleasing intimation was received in the cable news published on Saturday morning last that Sister E. Menhenett, of Kapunda, was one of six Australian nurses who had been chosen to receive the Royal Red Cross, second class, for services rendered during the war. Beyond the inclusion of Miss Menhennett' name in the list nothing is known, and in the letters received at home there is no information which would give any indication for what the award has been made. It is a matter for congratulation, however, that a Kapunda lady has been so honoured. Sister Menhenett is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Menhennett and she was trained at the Adelaide Hospital. Soon after the war broke out she volunteered for nursing duty and she served for many months in Egypt. Then she
had a short holiday in Great Britain and afterwards was attached to the staff of one of the military hospitals in London.

Kapunda Herald Friday 09 June 1916 page 2

A WELCOME HOME.

One of the most successful functions held in Kapunda for some time was one organized by the Progress Association in honour of Sister Edith Menhennett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Menhennett of Kapunda, and which took place in the Methodist Lecture Hall on Thursday night of last week. There was a crowded attendance over which the Mayor presided. The size of the gathering was an indication of the desire by the Kapunda people to do honour to a lady who has devoted two years to the nursing of the wounded and sick at the war and who, in the course of her duties, has won the Royal Red Cross as a mark of her distinction. She came home on a flying| visit of less than a week while the transport on which she made the voyage to Australia was staying in Melbourne. Speeches expressing admiration for Sister Menhennett and for the splendid achievements by Australian nurses its the grand work of attending to the soldiers were made by the Mayor, Mr. T. Warner (Progress Association), Dr. Riddell (medical and nursing professions), Mr. H. Hughes (League of Loyal Women), Mr. C. B. O'Reilly (Red Cross and Cheer Up Societies), and Mr. S, E. Hancock (other bodies). Mr. Menhennett, replying for his daughter, said the first ten months of her work was done in Egypt, and no one, who had not been there, could realize the hardships of the first period of the war. It was the opinion of all soldiers who bad come back that the Australian nurses were second to none.

He thanked them sincerely for the kind words and good wishes expressed toward his daughter. She now had the opportunity to remain in Australia, but when the offer was made her reply was that her place was at the front so long as the war lasted and there was a soldier to nurse— (Loud applause.) The people should be thankful that they lived in South Australia, and they should make sacrifices for those who were fighting for them. At the conclusion of the speeches a short entertainment was provided by Mrs. Oats, and Misses Hughes, Harris, I. Williams, Rees, and J. Kidman. Miss Kidman's recitation, "The little Red Tippet," was particularly appropriate to the occasion and was much appreciated. Supper was served by a number of ladies under the supervision of Mrs. Standen, and Sister Menhennett held quite a reception for the best part of an hour.

Kapunda Herald Friday 22 December 1916 page 2