BRIGGS, Mary Ellen
| Service Numbers: | Not yet discovered |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 June 1917, Appointment terminated 01 October 1919 |
| Last Rank: | Staff Nurse |
| Last Unit: | Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1) |
| Born: | Newcastle, MSW, 1874 |
| Home Town: | Newcastle, Hunter Region, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Nurse |
| Died: | Broken Neck when motor car collided with fence at speedway, Merewetlier, NSW, 21 December 1930 |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW Catholi 1 I Spec. 18 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Jun 1917: | Enlisted Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), Staff Nurse, Appointment terminated 01 October 1919 | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Sep 1917: | Involvement Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '23' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 13 Sep 1917: | Embarked Australian Army Nursing Service (WW1), HMAT Runic, Melbourne |
War Nurse Dies in Car
WAR NURSE DIES IN CAR OF HEART FAILURE
HAS COLLAPSE AFTER ACCIDENT SISTER BRIGGS'S CAREER
Heart failure is believed to be the cause of the death of Sister Mary Briggs, one of the best-known social workers in Newcastle, who was involved in a motor accident last night.
The accident occurred on Glebe Hill. The car in which Sister Brlggs was being driven skidded and crashed Into a fence.
Sister Brlggs trained for her profession at the Newcastle Hospital, and later became a sister at that Institution, after which she nursed privately. On the declaration of war she offered her services, which were accepted, and she was sent abroad, where she brought Joy and comfort Into the lives of many soldiers. Her war record is among the most outstanding of the New South Wales nurses. She interested herself In most charitable movements, and was a secretary of the Newcastle, branch of the Mater Misericordlae Hospital Auxiliary. She left two slsters, Mrs. Arthur Hannell, of Maryvllle, Mrs. W. E. Alexander, of Hamilton, and one brother,Mr. John Briggs. The funeral took place from the Sacred Heart Church, Hamilton, this afternoon.
the Newcastle Sun Monday 22 December 1930 page 6
Submitted 16 February 2016 by Faithe Jones
Neck Broken
NECK BROKEN
Woman's Sudden Death CORONER'S INQUEST NEWCASTLE, Wednesday.
When a motor car collided with the fence of the Speedway in Glebe-road, Merewetlier, on the night of December 21, Nurse Mary Ellen Briggs was instantly killed. Her death was due to a broken neok, caused by the sudden jolt of the collision.
At the inquest today the Deputy Coroner (Mr. W. R. Pickett) returned a verdict of accidental death. The car in which deceased was seated was driven by her brother-in-law, Mr. W. E. Alexander, who told the Coroner that the car was travellirig at 15 miles an hour up Glebe Hill. When passing another car there being ample room for him to do so, lie felt a bump under the front wheel. The car then ran along some loose gravel and plunged into the speedway fence. When the car stopped he noticed his sister-in-law apparently unconscious and sent for the ambulance to take her to hospital. His wife was in the front seat beside him and deceased was in the
back seat. The evidence of Dr. J. R. Leslie was that death was instantaneous.
The Maitland Weekly Mercury Saturday 03 January 1931 page 5
Submitted 16 February 2016 by Faithe Jones
Biography
Born 1874 at Newcastle, NSW
Daughter of James and Margaret BRIGGS
Sister to Mrs N E ALEXANDER
Address High St, Newcastle, NSW
Aged 39 years
Enlisted 26 June 1917 in Sydney
Embarked 13 September 1917 at Melbourne per “Runic”
Served in Egypt
Returned to Australia 26 July 1919 per “Burma” On Duty
Appointment terminated 01 October 1919
Employed at Randwick Military Hospital
Killed in car crash 21 December 1930
Aged 56 years
Buried Sandgate Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW Catholic 1 I Spec. 18
NECK BROKEN
Woman's Sudden Death CORONER'S INQUEST NEWCASTLE, Wednesday.
When a motor car collided with the fence of the Speedway in Glebe-road, Merewetlier, on the night of December 21, Nurse Mary Ellen Briggs was instantly killed. Her death was due to a broken neok, caused by the sudden jolt of the collision.
At the inquest today the Deputy Coroner (Mr. W. R. Pickett) returned a verdict of accidental death. The car in which deceased was seated was driven by her brother-in-law, Mr. W. E. Alexander, who told the Coroner that the car was travellirig at 15 miles an hour up Glebe Hill. When passing another car there being ample room for him to do so, lie felt a bump under the front wheel. The car then ran along some loose gravel and plunged into the speedway fence. When the car stopped he noticed his sister-in-law apparently unconscious and sent for the ambulance to take her to hospital. His wife was in the front seat beside him and deceased was in the back seat. The evidence of Dr. J. R. Leslie was that death was instantaneous.
The Maitland Weekly Mercury Saturday 03 January 1931 page 5
LATE SISTER BRIGGS
Funeral This Afternoon
The respect In which the late Sister Briggs was held was evident by the large attendance at her funeral. Before the cortege left the Sacred Heart Church, Hamilton, Father Peters held a short service, which was attended by a large number of women. Including many of the nurses who had trained with the deceased at the Newcastle Hospital.
The Newcastle Sun Monday 22 December 1930 page 6
WAR NURSE DIES IN CAR OF HEART FAILURE
HAS COLLAPSE AFTER ACCIDENT SISTER BRIGGS'S CAREER
Heart failure is believed to be the cause of the death of Sister Mary Driggs, one of the best-known social workers in Newcastle, who was involved in a motor accident last night.
The accident occurred on Glebe Hill. The car in which Slster Brlggs was being driven skidded and crashed Into a fence.
Sister Brlggs trained for her profession at the Newcastle Hospital, and later became a sister at that Institution, after which she nursed privately. On the declaration of war she offered her services, which were accepted, and she was sent abroad, where she brought Joy and comfort Into the lives of many soldiers. Her war record is among the most outstanding of the New South Wales nurses. She interested herself In most charitable movements, and was a secretary of the Newcastle, branch of the Mater Misericordlae Hospital Auxiliary. She left two slsters, Mrs. Arthur Hannell, of Maryvllle, Mrs. W. E. Alexander, of Hamilton, and one brother,Mr. John Brlggs. The funeral took place from the Sacred Heart Church, Hamilton, this afternoon.
the Newcastle Sun Monday 22 December 1930 page 6
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