Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Ballarat & District in the Great War

When it was announced on 30 March 1915 that ‘another Ballarat lady, Miss Priscilla Wardle, is going to the front as a nurse’ the societal change that had been brought about by the Great War was never more apparent. Gone were the trappings of chaperones for gently raised girls. Thanks to the war, a woman’s independence was suddenly something of great distinction.

Born at Ballarat on 9 December 1884, Priscilla Isabel Wardle (known variously as Cilla and Pearl) was the eldest child of Henry Thomas “Harry” Wardle and Isabella “Bella” Allan. Both her parents were also Ballarat born – her father’s family coming from the south of England, whilst her mother was of pure Scottish heritage.

Harry Wardle was a well-known local timber merchant. As with most prominent citizens, Harry also contributed to multiple layers of the community – he was actively involved with the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute, the City Fire Brigade and the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society. His interests, which extended to sport and the Masonic Order, also included collecting wood samples from across the world; he was to create an outstanding collection of great scientific value.

Priscilla was also the granddaughter of a man of some significance. Robert Allan was not only self-educated (at a time when this was a badge of merit), he was able to leave his mark in several ways – from a much-discussed critical expose of Calvinism to the inventing of a mining safety cage, the use of which continued long after that gentleman’s demise. No doubt, Priscilla was able to spend her early years in the company of this interesting man. When he died from ‘internal cancer’ on 3 January 1897, Priscilla was a very impressionable 12-years-old.

Harry and Bella eventually raised a family of seven children at their home “Waverley” at 215 Dawson Street south. Priscilla, Jean, twins Hilda and Vic, Olive, Ruby and Bob all received their primary education at the Dana Street State School. Anyone familiar with the streets of Ballarat would realise that it was a very short walk from their home in Dawson Street to school every day.

Both Priscilla and Bob would later be recognised by the school on their Great War Roll of Honour.

From Dana Street, Priscilla graduated to the Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Mair Street, Ballarat. During a time when advanced education for girls was not a given or even an expectation, Priscilla’s opportunity spoke both to her intelligence and her parent’s advanced views on female advancement. It also indicated her social position – something then referred to as your “station” in life. These opportunities were not available to everyone.

As a career, Priscilla then chose nursing. She was enrolled in the course for general nursing at the Ballarat District Hospital beginning on 2 February 1905. Amongst her coterie of friends were New Zealander, Edith Popplewell, Lily McKenzie and Florence Vines. Cilla, Poppy, Mack and Toby were to become fast friends and colleagues who would all serve during the Great War.

She qualified as a ‘skilled nurse’ in June 1908 after completing her course and examinations as set by the hospital. She received her Royal Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association certificate in September the same year.

After a brief period working at the Ballarat Hospital, Priscilla, along with her friend Mack and her older half-sister, Mary Young McKenzie, established the Mount Stuart Private Hospital at Daylesford. The spacious and imposing two-storey property in Duke Street, was opened in 1912. The trio of nurses delivered many of the local babies, but also dealt with more complicated and often dangerous theatre procedures alongside surgeons, Gerald Laughran and William Trewhella.
In spite of her busy professional schedule, Priscilla also found time to enjoy partaking of the local amateur dramatic and literary society.

When it was announced that the popular nurse had decided to take a ‘well-earned holiday and rest’ from nursing, members of the Daylesford community came together to say thank you and farewell. A large social was held at the local assembly hall on Tuesday evening, 16 June 1914, where Priscilla was presented ‘a handsome manicure set’ and everyone danced until after midnight.

By 1915, Priscilla was in charge of the Clarendon House Private Hospital in East Melbourne. Following a request from the British Government for trained nurses, the Defence Department selected a group of some of the best qualified women from across the country. Priscilla’s decision to join this large contingent of nurses was not unusual; she was of age, independent, and well aware of the desperate need for qualified nurses at the Front.

News that she had been accepted into the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (Reserve) was greeted with pride. She was due to embark on the steamship Malwa leaving Melbourne on 13 April 1915. A week earlier, Priscilla had travelled to Ballarat to say goodbye to her family and friends.
As it happened, Priscilla was transferred to a later embarkation, sailing on 14 April onboard RMS Orontes. However, there was to be an interesting issue played out in newspapers across the country following the Malwa’s departure. Passages booked on mail steamers where doctors and nurses were travelling through to England revealed a distinct lack of equitable treatment. While the nurses were allotted to 2nd class accommodation, the doctors travelled in 1st class. This distinction did not occur on hospital ships, and the situation onboard the Malwa raised an outcry over what was termed ‘snobbishness.’

A letter to the Editor of The Daily Telegraph in Sydney, was published under the heading “Army Nurses.” It raised a very pertinent question at a time when feminism was not a term that sprang readily to mind.

‘…Sir, — I beg to draw attention to the fact that the nurses who were sent to the front by the R.M.S. Malwa were given second saloon passages, while doctors who had just completed their course were given first saloon. Now as army nursing sisters rank as officers just the same as the doctors, why should the sex of one set entitle them to superior accommodation? Sex should make no difference; either they should all travel first-class or all travel second-class. This distinction does not say much for a country in which women have a vote.— Yours, etc., A. T. N. A…’

That the doctors receiving this preferential treatment were also new graduates with little or no experience further added to the simmering angst.
When Priscilla embarked on the Orontes, the situation was clearly the same.

‘…TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS
SIR I was very glad to read "Carlton's" letter this morning on the accommodation for the nurses who left by the Orontes yesterday. I happened to be on board prior to the ship's departure and saw some of the small cabins allotted to the matron and nurses in the second class. Surely, as the doctors had been given first-class calling the nurses should have been treated similarly. Moreover, the young men who form the doctors’ corps could more easily adapt themselves to the places allotted the nurses, who in many cases are women with long experience and service. I think everyone will agree that our brave band of nurses should have received more consideration. -
Yours, &c., BRIGHTON.

April 15…’
The departure of the Orontes attracted its own particularly emotive sense of occasion…
‘…There was a large crowd at Port Melbourne yesterday afternoon, when a number of passengers left for London by the Orontes for the purpose of offering their services to the home authorities. The departure of a mail steamer is always, a scene of much animation, a great deal of excitement, and a certain amount of pathos. And yesterday the many farewells were invested, with an even deeper significance than usual.

In one corner a family was taking affectionate leave of a son who was going home to join King Edward's Horse; in another a father was bidding farewell to his only boy, who, failing on account of his youth, to gain a commission here, is seeking better luck in Kitchener's armies. He deserves to get it, because with his cadet and citizen force training he has not only the stuff in him, but a working knowledge of the rudiments of the great game he is out to play.

On the first class deck a crowd of undergrads were giving a cheery good-bye to several of their comrades, who, just through their final examinations in medicine, are off to put their services at the disposal of the War Office. Doctors are badly wanted at home now, and commissions in the R.A.M.C await all of these young men. Amongst them were several who had distinguished themselves on the playing fields of their Alma Mater, and a big crowd of hockey enthusiasts was down to bid farewell to two former inter-state champions.

But perhaps most interest centred round the little group of women who are so bravely going off to the front as Red Cross nurses. One could hardly get near them for the masses of flowers; every hospital had sent a tribute to its own particular representatives, and one friend after another would add a little tribute to the collection.

They were cheerful these nurses—cheerful as brave women always are, and it gave one a peculiar thrill to witness their affectionate leave-takings. There is little romance and glamour held in store for them; they are to come in closest contact with the very worst side of war. Surely the self-sacrifice of these women is the most shining example that could be held up to their brother-Australians!

It is 3 o'clock. The siren sends out a doleful hoot, and the great ship begins to move. The long, coloured paper streamers stretch to their utmost and then break, handkerchiefs flutter in the breeze, and amid a storm of cheers another little batch of Australians has gone forth to fight the battles of the Empire…’

As the Orontes sailed away from Fremantle, many onboard gathered at the ship’s stern and, in ‘a dawn of such vivid colouring,’ Priscilla thought wistfully of what she was leaving behind.

‘…I felt very sad watching the last little bit of Australian shores wondering if and when I would see it again…’

Priscilla was set to travel to London via Colombo and Naples, with her date of commencement with the QAIMNS recorded, during the voyage, as the 21 April (number 1397).

Despite most people finding the long ship’s voyage tedious, Priscilla was quite the opposite. ‘There are so many distractions onboard that it hard work to get half an hour to oneself…’

Certainly, with organised games, euchre tournaments, French lessons and dances it must have seemed quite the lark.

Storms, heat and humidity, plus a malfunctioning engine, did little to help conditions onboard ship. But the unfolding sights had a clear impact on Priscilla.
‘…Anyway we were only about 3 miles out from shore – Aden – I cannot describe the beauty of it – the sea was brilliantly blue and the fortress of Aden rose majestically out of the sea – huge cliffs and sandy patches beneath which made it look simply beautiful…’
Clearly, she was savouring every experience…

‘…My white shorts have been the best thing I’ve had – wear them every day. Since Colombo we have had a new fruit called a Pomelo – it is like a lemon 10 times enlarged, but inside more like a tart orange, white with a tinge of pink. The curry we had in Colombo was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever tasted – the dish from which it was served was in 3 different compartments and a different curry in each – first you helped yourself to rice then took a spoonful from each division and mixed them together. It was very hot but delicious…’

But it wasn’t until the 8 May, that Priscilla admitted to ‘feeling dreadfully homesick.’ But a whisky and soda soon put her to rights.

Within days, the ship’s company was to receive news of one of the war’s most heinous acts.

‘…We have just heard of the dreadful loss of the Lusitania – it is appalling – it makes our chance of getting home safely, less…’

The sinking of RMS Lusitania by German U-boat 20 on 7 May off the Irish coast was instrumental in bringing the United States into the war. With a loss of 1,197 souls, it rivalled the loss of her sister ship, Titanic, just four years earlier.

As Priscilla continued to write in her diary, she spoke eloquently of ‘Vesuvius…enveloped in haze and cloud’ and Naples under ‘another new moon, the newest one I’ve ever seen just above the city and the Cathedral bells were chiming and altogether it was most fascinating…’ and the ruined city of Messina, ‘destroyed by earthquake in 1908.’
The ever present threat of German submarines caused many to sleep on deck fully clothed. But there was also a very real threat of disease when there was an outbreak of measles onboard ship.
The Orontes finally docked in London on 26 May and Priscilla’s position with the QAIMNS was confirmed with the signing of her formal agreement five days later.
Besides taking in all the experiences of London – both by tube and motor car – Priscilla set about putting together her kit: ‘rubber boots up to our knees, collapsible waterproof bath and basin, bucket, w’proof sheet, stretcher, cork mattress, sheets and blankets, spirit stove, kettle, towels, serviettes, coloured handkerchiefs, tins condensed milk, cocoa, etc, etc. 3 Zephyr (grey) dresses, 4 Zephyr aprons, 1 Staff Uniform and cape and bonnet, Panama hat…’

On 9 June, Priscilla embarked for France with the contingent of Australian nurses. They arrived later the same day and were immediately transported to the 7th Stationary Hospital at Boulogne, where Priscilla was ensconced in a hostel. Just two days later, she was settled sharing a tent with her best friend, Edith Donaldson.

The intrepid nurse was soon transferred to St Omer, where she was uncomfortably close to bombs dropped by German taube aircraft. It was clear from descriptions in Priscilla’s diary that the fear was suddenly very real.

However, there was also an element of both the interested historical observer and “fan girl” in some of Priscilla’s diary entries – she noted seeing ‘Kitchener of Khartoum and Mr Asquith [British PM] in a motor car’ and then sharing Sunday church service with General Sir John French and the Prince of Wales. Her lamentation when ‘a sister came late and they took her into their seat’ was very female – ‘I was wishing I were she – lucky person.’

By mid-July the troop traffic past her hospital was enormous – 25,000 one day, then 80,000 the next.
After long-range guns shelled the No3 Casualty Clearing Station on 2 August and a number of night orderlies were killed, Priscilla’s observations became distinctly more sober.

‘…The matron came here late and last – she said she had just finished writing to their wives and had cut a piece of each of their hair to send. Sister Middleton, who only left here about a fortnight ago for No3 Bailleul, came back with the others last night and she looked a positive wreck. She said she had to identify her orderly who was killed and he was so badly “done for” that the only way she knew it was he, was by his new sox she had given him that morning. The girls made wreaths of white flowers and helped bury them before they came away and did all that a woman could. The last we heard was that the whole place was burning before the last one left. The whole four men were packed up and ready to go on leave today – one of the fellows leaves 2 children as well as a wife – it is truly dreadful. For two nights we have seen a strange thing lighted in the sky – it was an observation balloon, stationery – sending out searchlights – it was an ungodly sight to see this great thing throwing weird lights about. I can tell you my “Diary” that I do not feel too safe these days – the aviator threw a paper down the other day saying he would be back later on to blow up St Omer…’

Priscilla often found herself dealing with the contagious diseases that spread so quickly amongst the troops – German measles, diphtheria, mumps and typhoid. She was clearly doing a good job and received praise from her superiors. Frequent compliments and feedback that she was ‘an excellent nurse’ gave Priscilla cause to remark on ‘blowing my own trumpet.’ But, as she was to note, ‘it is nice to know that the heads think well of you.’

The Battle of Loos in September 1915, resulted in a flood of wounded men through the hospital at St Omer.

‘…As I wrote a few days ago about the dreadful battle that was raging it will not be surprising to say we have had a very busy time since Sunday afternoon – we took in about a thousand on Sunday….evacuated some hundreds next day then had another convoy Monday night after dark – oh it was heartbreaking to see them – the second convoy came in London buses – all sitting up cases and they had to be put out at the entrance gates as the buses could not get up the drive on account of trees. So up the drive they came hundreds of the them mud from tips of their heads to their boots – the ones with wounded heads and arms helped the lame ones and so on – several gassed cases were brought on stretchers – too ill to walk…

Although the news is good, we have had many heavy casualties. Some of the men told us their regiments were terribly cut up. One Sergeant with a fractured jaw has the DCM – his Capt was killed, his Subaltern wounded and he led his men on and chased a lot of Germans out of there then went back for reinforcements and got wounded on the way going for them – his Col. said he would be recommended for the DCM. Some ghastly shrapnel wounds amongst them – some will lose arms and legs but here we just put one dressing on and then they are evacuated – this hospital has been turned into a huge Casualty Clearing Station…’

During a well-earned break in October, Priscilla and another nurse travelled through to Hardelot-Plage, where they arrived in time to have tea with the Queen of Portugal!

‘Afterwards two Australians, Marsh [an English nurse] and I went out and gathered berries for me to bring home, I did feel like Lady Muck motoring home in the beautiful closed car with two fur lined capes to keep me warm and crowds (of) pink berries after lunching with Royalty (altho’ deposed) for the first time…’

On 1 December 1915, Priscilla recorded a letter that she had received from Poppy Popplewell, who was serving with the New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Poppy had just survived the sinking of the Marquette in the Aegean Sea and her letter of survival as those around her gradually slipped away made for harrowing reading – especially for ‘Cilla, who was beginning to struggle with the constant sense of loss. ‘…I feel as if I could die without a single regret. Things are so terribly depressing out here now…’

The year closed with news of the evacuation of Gallipoli. Priscilla took this particularly hard, as her diary entry for Christmas Eve showed…

‘…I am feeling very sick over the news in the papers tonight – cried till I was sick when I read of the withdrawal of our troops from Gallipoli – how cruel it all is – to have left them there so long after they knew it was futile – it is all too tragic and I feel like murdering the men who were responsible for the blunders of the Dardanelles. To think of the hundreds of graves out in that lonely Peninsula, given for nothing…’

In February 1916, Priscilla was moved to Béthune to begin work at the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station. She was now just 6-miles from the frontline. The signs of war damage were all around her with shattered streets and buildings. But it was the confronting sights in the operating theatre that had an unimaginable impact.

‘…On Sunday [20 February] night I was kept going in the theatre with awfully bad operations of all descriptions – one man had most of his face shot away and of all the horrors of war, I’m seeing the worst now alright…’
To be continued…

Source: WW1 Diary - Priscilla Wardle - Trainee Ballarat District Hospital, 1905 to 1908 and WW1 Nurse (victoriancollections.net.au)

From FrevFord, Thursday, 15 November 2018

Priscilla Isabel WARDLE,  – Acting Sister, QAIMNSR

Priscilla was born on the 9th of December 1884 in Ballarat, Vic – the daughter of Henry Thomas WARDLE and Isabella ALLAN, who married in 1884 Isabella died on the 11/6/1916 at their home “Waverley,” in Dawson St, Ballarat, aged 56 Henry, a Timber Merchant, remarried in 1921 to Florence V. Davis – he died at his home in Ballarat on the 15/12/1927, aged 70 Siblings (all born Ballarat): Janet Murtin (Jean) b.1886 (Mrs T.A. Selleck); [Twins] Henry Victor b.1888; Hilda Allan b.1888 (Mrs W. Richardson); Maggie Olive b.1890; Ruby Agnes Vivia b.1893 – d.28/7/1928; *Robert Norman b.1895 – Vet surgeon – WW1: Capt, 8th Mobile Vet Sec 1917–1919 – marr Dorothy E. RULE 25/4/1922 Educated at Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Ballarat Trained in nursing at the Ballarat Hospital Conducted the Mt Stuart Private Hospital in Duke St, Daylesford, together with Miss McKenzie, until June 1914 In charge of Clarendon House, East Melbourne March 1915 WW1 Service: Following a request from the Imperial Government, Priscilla was one of the nurses selected by the Department of Defence to join Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve. She embarked in Melbourne 14/4/1915 on the R.M.S. Orontes for England. Having reached the English Channel, there was great anxiety on board when three German submarines were reported to be in the vicinity. That night the passengers remained fully dressed with their lifebelts on hand, and disembarking safely, arrived in London on the 26/5/1915. Serving as a Staff Nurse, she crossed to France and joined the 7th General Hospital on the 9/6/1915 Transferred to the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) 8/2/1916, and then the 8th Stationary Hospital 24/6/1916, including a week at Hardelot 4/8 to 11/8/1916 14 days Leave from the 8/11/1916, and another 14 day Leave from the 22/5/1917 Appointed Acting Sister 1/7/1917 Posted to the 15th CCS 19/9/1917, followed by the 42nd Stationary Hospital 7/3/1918, and the 2nd General Hospital 29/3/1918 Admitted to the 1st General Hospital, Etretat 29/4/1918 with a Debility, and discharged to duty 14/5/1918 Transferred to the 19th CCS 30/7/1918; the 12th Stationary Hospital 6/9/1918, and finally the 4th General Hospital, Camier 10/9/1918 Matron’s Report, 4th General Hospital, 10/1/1919: Miss Wardle joined Unit 10/9/1918 as anaesthetist, and has served with me since November 1918. She is satisfactory in her work as anaesthetist – careful and reliable. Is tactful and has a good influence. I am unable to report on her ward management. Leave 22/9/1918 to the 6/10/1918 Returned to England 12/3/1919; and then to Australia on the HT Roda, embarking 8/5/1919 – her service being terminated on the 7/6/1919 Lived with her family at 215 Dawson St, Ballarat on return home, until her marriage to Terence who she had met during the war Married Cyril Terence Charles KIRBY on the 15th of November 1919 at Ballarat Children: *Terence Patrick b.2/7/1921 Nyah – WW2 (gives DOB as 1920) – Radio Engineer *Mary Sheelagh b.27/1/1924 Nyah West – marr George Stephen Williams 19/2/1944 – d.9/1/2007 Melb Residents of: “Tara,” Tyntynder West in 1921, 1927 121 Webster St, Ballarat 1928 108 Ripon St Nth, Ballarat 1931, 1934 60 Fellows St, Kew 1935, 1936 3 Thornton St, Kew 1943 670 Malvern Rd, Orrong 1949 [Terence listed with Kate Margaret Kirby (Nurse)?] 580 Inkerman St, Caulfield West 1949, 1954 (Priscilla listed on her own), 1963, 1967 (with Terence) President of the Ballarat Trained Nurses’ League 1933 Vice-President of the Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies’ College Old Collegians’ Association in 1933, and President 1934, 35 Terence who had been manager of the Ballarat depot of the Atlantic Oil Co. Ltd, was appointed Superintendent for Victoria , and the family moved from Ballarat to Kew in 1935 Priscilla applied for Repat benefits in 1949 Priscilla died on the 26th of July 1967 at Heidelberg, Vic, aged 82 Terence (Orchardist, Salesman, Manager, Superintendent, Traveller) died on the 14/5/1968 at Heidelberg, (age listed as 83, born c1885) – parents listed as Charles Kirby and Emily (nee Newman) – he was apparently born as Cyril Karl Schulz in 1892 at Hornsey, Middlesex, England – the son of Friedrich Wilhelm Schulz and Emily Kirby Newman. [WW1: Brit Army – Terence Cyril – 1st ICSC 82 Coy, Army Serv Corps WW2: AIF – birth given as 21/4/1896 at Sea] Daylesford Advocate, Yandoit, Glenlyon and.,,,..(Vic), Thur 18 Jun 1914 (p.2): On Tuesday evening in the Assembly Hall a complimentary social was tendered Miss Wardle, who with Miss McKenzie has so successfully conducted Mt Stuart private hospital in Duke street. The guest was a most popular favorite with all classes of the community, and took a keen interest in amateur dramatic affairs. She has severed her connection with nursing work for some time and intends taking a well-earned holiday and rest. The social was attended by about 50 lady and gentlemen friends, and during the evening Mr A. Lehmann, on their behalf, presented Miss Wardle with a handsome manicure set, at the same time adding a few appropriate remarks, to which the recipient made a characteristic response. The evening proved most enjoyable, dancing being indulged in until after midnight. Miss Nind supplied exquisite music on the piano. The Evening Echo (Ballarat, Vic), Tue 30 Mar 1915 (p.2): CONCENTRATES Another Ballarat lady, Miss Priscilla Wardle, is going to the front as a nurse. She was a trainee of the Ballarat Hospital, and subsequently conducted a private hospital at Daylesford. She is at present in charge of Clarendon House, East Melbourne. She sails on Tuesday week by the Malwa, and will join the British Imperial Forces in London. She purposes coming to Ballarat to-morrow to say good-bye to her friends. The Ballarat Star (Vic), Fri 24 Mar 1916 (p.4): PERSONAL A contributor to the “Glasgow Evening News” writes: – “I wonder if many folk know the special work the Duchess of Argyll is interested in in France. As the owner of a charming chateau, within comfortable distance from Paris, she has hit on the splendid idea of running it as a rest home for Red Cross and Army nurses who, suffering from the strain of constant vigil, are given an occasional furlough. I read a letter from an Australian sister yesterday. She has been privileged to spend a term at the place, and her enthusiasm reaches its pitch when she states that to-day the Queen of Portugal presided at lunch – a charming woman, absolutely natural and unaffected. The home, by the way, is being run under the personal direction of Lady Gifford.” The Australian sister referred to is Sister Wardle, of Ballarat. The Ballarat Star (Vic), Tue 30 Oct 1917 (p.2): CLARENDON COLLEGE ANNUAL REUNION ……………………………………………… The association is proud, too, of the number of its old collegians who are nursing at the Front. The Misses Wardle, Small, and Llewellyn are in France, and…………………… Photo: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242584049 Weekly Times (Melb, Vic), Sat 19 Jul 1919 (p.40): GENERAL NOTES Ballarat Nurse Returns After four years’ military service in France, Sister Priscilla Wardle, of Ballarat, returned by the Roda last week. As theatre sister, Miss Wardle did three years’ duty at casualty clearing stations and field hospitals in France. In February, 1918, she was at a clearing station hospital near Amiens, when the wounded had to be evacuated under heavy shell fire. Soon after this she was chosen by the British Medical Association in France to take a course in anaesthetics, with a view to relieving a medical officer for more important work. She acted in this capacity for 12 months, and has the record of not having had a day off for illness. Sister Wardle was attached to the Queen Alexandra Nursing Reserve. The Argus (Melb, Vic), Sat 22 Nov 1919 (p.13): MARRIAGES KIRBY – WARDLE – On the 15th November, at Ballarat, by the Rev John Walker, Terence C. Kirby, only son of the late Mr C.J. and Mrs Kirby, of 22 Oakley Square, London, to Priscilla I. Wardle, eldest daughter of Mr H.T. and the late Mrs Wardle, of Dawson street, Balllarat. The Argus (Melb, Vic), Mon 15 Aug 1921 (p.1): BIRTHS KIRBY (nee Priscilla Wardle) – On the 2nd July, to Mr and Mrs T.C. Kirby, “Tara,” Tyntynder West – a son (Terence Patrick). The Argus (Melb, Vic), Sat 23 Feb 1924 (p.17): BIRTHS KIRBY – On the 27th January, at Dr Ettelson’s private hospital, Swan Hill, to Mr and Mrs T.C. Kirby, of Tara, Vinifera – a daughter (Mary Sheelagh). Table Talk (Melb, Vic), Thur 2 Mar 1933 (p.45): NEWS from COUNTRY CENTRES Mrs T.C. Kirby, president of the Ballarat Trained Nurses’ League, organised a bridge party to help the Queen of Public Service (Miss Eva Kennedy). It took place at the Wattle on Monday evening, and was well attended. Prizes for bridge were donated by Mrs Kirby and Sisters E. McLeod and M. Manstrum and secretarial organisation was done by Sister R. Douglas. The Herald (Melb, Vic), Wed 9 Jan 1935 (p.13): In Today’s Social News MR and MRS TERENCE KIRBY, of Ripon Street, Ballarat, are making their home at 60 Fellowes Street, Kew. Mr Kirby, who has been manager of the Ballarat depot of the Atlantic Oil Co. Ltd., has been made superintendent for Victoria. Mrs Kirby, who met her future husband when a member of the Queen Alexandra Military Nursing Service Reserve in France, was a nurse at Ballarat at the time of her enlistment. She is president of the Clarendon (Ballarat) Presbyterian Ladies’ College Old Collegians’

Association, and is a past president of the Ballarat Nurses’ League. Table Talk (Melb, Vic), Thur 28 Nov 1935 (p.47): REUNIONS AT BALLARAT Clarendon Old Collegians Many visitors were in Ballarat for the reunion of Clarendon Old Collegians, which was held during the week-end. ………………………………. Old Collegians were welcomed by the president, Mrs Terence Kirby, who came from Melbourne, where her home now is, for the occasion, and by the incoming president, Mrs H.C. Nicholson. …. The Argus, Mon 8 Dec 1941: ENGAGEMENTS Mary Sheelagh, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Terence Kirby, Thornton st, Kew, to Tpr George Stephens Williams, AIF, only shon of Mr and Mrs Burke Williams, Riversdale rd, Camberwell. The Argus, Mon 21 Feb 1944: WEDDINGS WILLIAMS – KIRBY A gown of cream brocaded crepe and a long tulle veil held in place with orange blossom were worn by Mary Sheelagh, only daughter of Mrs and Mrs Terence Kirby, Thornton st, Kew, at her wedding to Sgt George Stephen Williams, RAAF, only son of Mr and Mrs Burke Williams, College pde, Kew, which was celebrated at Melbourne Grammar Chapel on Saturday. Rev P St John Wilson officiated. The bride was given away by her father, and attended by Mrs Eric Fitzhenry, sister of the bridegroom, who was matron of honour. Capt Kirby, brother of the bride, was best man.