Annie VARCOE

VARCOE, Annie

Service Numbers: Staff Nurse, AANS
Enlisted: 28 September 1916, Sydney, New South Wales
Last Rank: Sister
Last Unit: Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1)
Born: Hillston, New South Wales, 19 December 1883
Home Town: Gunbar, Carrathool, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Trained Nurse
Died: 10 February 1983, aged 99 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Macquarie Park Cemetery & Crematorium, North Ryde, New South Wales
Portion Pbn, Row H1, Grave 0021
Memorials: Gunbar Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour WW1, Hillston Memorial Park Gates
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World War 1 Service

28 Sep 1916: Enlisted Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Staff Nurse, Staff Nurse, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Sydney, New South Wales
21 Mar 1917: Embarked Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Staff Nurse, AANS, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Embarked on HMAT 'A61' Kanowna from Sydney on 21st march 1917, disembarking Suez on 1st May 1917.
2 May 1917: Transferred Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Staff Nurse, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1),
  • 2nd May 1917 - posted to 14th Australian General Hospital, Abbassia, Cairo
  • 20th August 1918 - posted to Convalescent Home, Alexandria
  • 21 Apr 1919: Promoted Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Sister, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Had been made Temporary Sister on 21st March 1919.
    23 Apr 1919: Transferred Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Sister, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1),
  • 23rd April 1919 - admitted to hospital
  • 27th April 1919 - rejoined unit
  • 8th July 1919 - granted leave to attend British School of Cookery under the "Leave Scheme" until 8th October 1919
  • 17 Nov 1919: Embarked Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Staff Nurse, AANS, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Embarked for return to Australia on HMAT 'A39' Port MacQuarie from England on 17th November 1919, disembarking Sydney 25th January 1920
    12 Mar 1920: Discharged Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Sister, AANS, Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1)

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    Biography contributed by Daryl Jones

    Daughter of Joseph Rowe and Sarah Jane (nee NIXON) VARCOE of 'Hopefield', Gunbar, New South Wales.

    Sister of

    • Benjamin VARCOE (born 1875)
    • AANS Sister Sarah VARCOE - Australian Army Nursing Service, returned to Australia 12th May 1917 (born 1877)
    • Amy VARCOE (born 1879)
    • 2004A Private Joseph VARCOE - 35th Battalion, killed in action Passchendaele, Ypres Belgium 12th October 1917 (born1881)
    • Mabel E VARCOE (born 1887) Married Alexander McArthur 24th October 1925.
    • 6170 Private John Thomas VARCOE - 35th Battalion. wounded and returned to Australia 12th February 1918 (born 1889)

    Gunbar.
    The "Grazier's" Gunbar corres-pondent writes:-

    A very pleasant function took place at Gunbar on Saturday afternoon, when the Ganbar Returned Soldiers Medal was presented to Sister Ann Varcoe, who recently returned from Egypt. Mr A. McArthur, President of the Gunbar Repatriation Executive, presided, and on behalf of the residents of Gunbar and district, thanked Sister Varcoe for the valuable services that she had rendered, and the noble work that had been accomplished by the devoted band of nurses, who had so skilfully and tenderly nursed the wounded soldiers. Sister Varcoe had not only helped her country in the hour of need ; she had added lustre to the splendid record of the Gunbar district, and he trusted she would long be spared to wear the Gunbar medal which was given as a small token of their admiration and esteem. Messrs. P. F. Flanagan, G. F.Sides and J. Gibson endorsed the Chairman's remarks, and said they were proud and happy to be present that day to do Sister Varcoe honor, and they sincerely hoped that her journey through this life would be happy and prosperous. She had the whole-hearted admiration, respect and esteem of her many friends in the Gunbar district, who would always remember the valuable services she had rendered. The President then pinned on the medal, and Sister Varcoe, who was warmly cheered, thanked the people of Gunbar and district for the beautiful medal that had been presented to her. She said that she would always cherish it as one of her most precious treasures.
    She thanked them for their kind remarks, and said that she had only done her duty. Medals were to be presented to two returned soldiers, but they were unable to attend, so the presentation was held over until a later date.

    The Hillston Spectator and Lachlan River Advertiser Friday 15 October 1920 page 7

    WEDDING.
    McARTHUR-VARCOE.
    A marriage of interest to the district was celebrated at St. Stephens Presbyterian Church, Sydney, on October 24th, when Sister Ann Varcoe, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. R.Varcoe, 'The Rise,' Hillston, was married to Mr. Alexander McArthur, Sylvanham, Gunbar. The Rev. Hugh Paton officiated. The bride was given away by her brother Mr B. Varcoe ,Miss Amy Varcoe, sister of the bride, was bridesmaid, and Mr. James McArthur was best man. The honeymoon was spent in Queensland.

    The Riverine Grazier Friday 04 December 1925 page 2

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