Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ellen May McCarthy was born in 1883 at Albury, New South Wales. Her parents were Daniel Joseph McCarthy and Nora Payne. She was the second of five children; Mary Elizabeth born 1881; Ellen May born 1883; Ann born 1885; Daniel born 1886 and John James born 1887.

Ellen or Nellie as she was more commonly known joined the Australian Army Nursing Service in October 1915. She served in the Australian General Hospital at Caulfield, Victoria. The following information is taken from her Attestation Papers filled out just before she embarked for overseas service to serve with the Australian Army Nursing Service – British India Service:

Age - 29 years, 6 months

Address – “Danora” Loch Park, Traralgon, Gippsland, Victoria

Next of kin – her Mother; Mrs. Nora McCarthy of the same address

Occupation – Nurse

Description; Height – 5 foot 9 inches (175.3 centimetres);

Complexion – Fair; Eyes – Brown; Hair – Brown

Religion – Roman Catholic

Nellie was one of 49 nurses (11 sisters, 38 staff nurses) who embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Mooltan on 26 December 1916 and proceeded overseas to India. Nellie was issued the service number 218597. She served at a War Hospital in Bombay (now Mumbai) and the Rawalpindi War Hospital. Rawalpindi is situated some 1600 kms away on the Northwest Frontier bordering Afghanistan, on the southern slopes of the Himalayan mountains. Rawalpindi was the second largest military station in India. The station hospital had been opened early in 1917 to deal with casualties from border fighting because of German and Turkish intervention.

Nellie embarked on board SS Empress of India in November 1918 and transited through Egypt and France before disembarking in Southampton, England 7 January 1919 and reporting to the Australian Headquarters in London. She embarked on board the Dongala 23 March 1919 for Return to Australia, disembarking in Melbourne, Victoria 16 May 1919. Nellie was discharged from the Army with the rank of Sister 8 September 1919.

Her name is commemorated on the 1914 – 1919 Great War Roll of Honour at Grey Street Primary School Traralgon, Victoria. Nellie was awarded the British War Medal.

One of Ellen’s brothers enlisted in the war; Daniel McCarthy, 1st Australian Wireless Signal Company, Reg. No. 16051, Returned to Australia in 1919 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Nellie died 19 April 1968 and was buried at Traralgon Cemetery.

Biography written by the Gippsland Memorial Park, Traralgon.