Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Daughter of John Murray ARTHUR and Mary Ellen nee WALSH
Resided Sydney, NSW
Sister of J Murray ARTHUR
Of Yanco, NSW
Trained at St. Vincent's Hospital Sydney prior to embarkation
Embarked 18 December 1915 per 'Karoola'
Arrived in UK 10 February 1916
Enlisted in QAIMSR 23 February 1916
Posted to 1st Birmingham War Hospital
To embark for duty with BEF France 04 April 1916
Served in No 11 General Hospital, France 02 April 1916 - 29 January 1917
Joined No 61 Casualty Clearing Station 06 August 1918
Some comments from her file:-
'The work of the above named Sister as Anaesthetist has given every satisfaction. Her health and conduct are very good and she can be confidently be recommended as a competent Anaesthetist. No. of cases for which anaesthetics have been administered by her a this CCS 100.'
'Staff Nurse Arthur has been doing the duties of an anaesthetist while with the unit since 13 October 1918 and has also helped in the Reatic Ward. Her work has given was satisfactory. She is bright & energetic and has always been very anxious to help wherever wanted. She seems most suitable for promotion with rank of Sister.'
'Has had charge of acute surgical ward, also Officers ward and did excellent work'
'She is a most capable nurse, very hard working and concientious and intelligent. She has had temporary charge of a surgical ward and has always given the greatest satisfaction in the way she has discharged her duties.'
'Beyond the average - particularly intelligent and reliable - very thorough, has been in charge of Officer's ward & the resussitation Wards and had always fulfilled her duties most satisfactorily'.
Demobilized from France 15 May 1919
Posted to King George Hospital, Stamford Street awaiting repatriation 15 May 1919
Transferred to Birmingham Orthopaedic Hospital 30 May 11919
Sailed for Australia from Devonport, England per 'Freidrichsruhe' 09 July 1919
Appointment terminated 19 September 1919
Resided 1920 c/- Mrs. M Underwood, Clovelly, Lords Place, Orange, NSW
She was appointed matron of Narrabri Hospital, and undertook a course at the Women’s Hospital in Crown Street, Sydney. In 1922 she was appointed matron at Orange District Hospital. Dr Gordon Taylor, senior assistant surgeon at Middlesex Hospital in London had worked with Arthur in the resuscitation ward in the officers’ block of a casualty clearing station in France. In her reference for the position at Orange he claimed Arthur was a nurse of exceptional ability and a most competent anaesthetist. “She is undoubtedly the cleverest sister with whom it was my lot to work in France,” he wrote. “I wish her every success and should consider any hospital most fortunate to have her as the head of its nursing affairs.” Her salary when she started work at Orange District Hospital was £175 a year.
Engaged in July 1927 to Nesbitt Seeley HEFFERNAN
Married 10 August 1927 at RC Presbytery, Orange.
Died 1958 in Bega, NSW

Nurse Mollie Arthur, formerly of Wagga Wagga, who for some months past has been on duty at the Military Hospital at Liverpool, has left Sydney for Melbourne, in company with several other nurses who have volunteered for the front. Nurse Arthur, who was trained at St. Vincent's Hospital, was given a cordial send-off by several of her colleagues and officials from St. Vincent's, as well as a large number of relatives and old friends.

Albury Banner and Wodonga Express Thursday 23 December 1915 page 30

FROM THE FRONT.

Writing to her sister, Mrs. M. Underwood, Nurse Mollie Arthur, who is stationed at No. 5 Casualty Hospital in France, says they are within a mile of the trenches, and the incessant booming of the guns debar any thought of rest. Some harrowing sights are witnessed among the wounded. Nurse Arthur has now been nearly two years on service abroad.

Leader Friday 25 May 1917 page 5

Nurse Molly Arthur, sister of Mr. J. S. Arthur, who has been away with the fighting forces in France and Egypt for four years, is on her way home and will arrive next month.

Forbes Times Friday 25 July 1919 page 5

ENGAGEMENTS

Congratulations are pouring in from the many friends of Miss Mary (Mollie) Arthur, younger daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. . J. Murray Arthur, of Wagga, N.S.W., and Mr. Nesbitt F. Heffernan, former Deputy-Commissioner of Ysabel and Santa Cruze, Solomon Island group,'' and at present residing in Sydney, who have recently announced their engagement.

Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW) Sunday 03 July 1927 page 20

HEFFERNAN— ARTHUR.

A wedding was quietly celebrated at the R.C. Presbytery in Orange on Wednesday night last, when Miss Mollie Arthur, who has acted as Matron of the Orange District Hospital for the past five years, was united in matrimony to Mr. Nesbit Heffernan, of Sydney. Rev. Father O'Brien, of Condobolin, was the celebrant. The bride was attired in a becoming Doucet costume of beige-colored morocain, with hat of biscuit lace straw, suitably trimmed, and was attended by her niece, Miss Sylvia Underwood, as bridesmaid, who wore a dress of Madonna morocain, with hat ensuite. Dr. Livingstone, of Sydney, filled the role of best man. The honeymoon will be spent in the mountains, whilst the future home of the couple will be in Sydney.

The Carcoar Chronicle Friday 12 August 1927 page 4