Burtha Grace Nurse | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Born | 1871 Southland, New Zealand |
Died | 20 December 1960 Christchurch, New Zealand |
Allegiance | New Zealand |
Service | New Zealand Army Nursing Service, New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
Rank | Matron |
Service number | WWI 22/1 |
Unit | New Zealand Army Nursing Service |
Battles / wars | First World War |
Awards | Royal Red Cross, MID |
Bertha Grace Nurse was a civilian and military nurse during World War I with the New Zealand Army Nursing Service Corps and the Samoan Expeditionary Forces in 1914. [1]
Nurse was born in Southland in 1871, to mother Alice Louisa Price and father William Hugh Nurse. [1] [2] She completed her nurse training in 1904 in Wellington, and was the first New Zealand nurse to enlist in the Expeditionary Force. [1] [3]
Nurse joined the New Zealand Army Nursing Service Corps on 10 August 1914 and quickly was selected for the contingent of six New Zealand nurses to be stationed at Apia Hospital as part of the New Zealand Samoan Expeditionary Forces. [4] Nurse sailed alongside Louise Alexa McNie and Vida MacLean on board the Monowai. [5]
Nurse remained in Samoa until March 1915, returning to New Zealand to then leave to serve in Egypt on board the SS Rotorua, in April 1915. [6] She became matron of Pont de Koubbeh Hospital, taking over Matron Michel. [7] [4]
Later, she was transferred to the South of England to be matron at the No 1 New Zealand General Hospital in Brockenhurst. [1] She stayed in this role until January 1917. [7]
On 6 February 1917, Nurse was called to attend a meeting in London, where she was told she would be recalled back to New Zealand. [7] After some confusion, it was found out that this request was made by her medical officers purely due to friction between Nurse and the officers. [7] Her requests to remain in England were denied and she spent the remainder of time in England at the Nurses Rest Home in Sandwich. [7] Nurse returned to New Zealand as matron on board the HMNZT Maunganui on 17 March 1917. [7] Matron Hester Maclean supported Nurse in her unfair dismissal and found her work at the Trentham Military Hospital. [7] She then worked as matron at Masterton Hospital. [7]
Nurse was awarded a Royal Red Cross, 1st Class and was mentioned in dispatches in 1916. [1]
Nurse had a sister Frances Louisa Nurse (born 1876) who also served as a nurse in World War I. [8] As well as a brother, Charles Edward Nurse (9 July 1869 – 10 June 1945), who served in the South African War, World War I and as a home guard during World War II. [9]
Nurse died at the Nurse Maude Convalescent Home in Christchurch, 20 December 1960 at age 89. [3] She is buried at the Ruru Lawn Cemetery in Christchurch. [10]
Wellington Hospital, also known as Wellington Regional Hospital, is the main hospital in Wellington, New Zealand, located south of the city centre in the suburb of Newtown. It is the main hospital run by Te Whatu Ora, Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley.
Mary Anne Reidy (1880–1977) was a New Zealand civilian and military nurse, community leader. She was born in County Clare, Ireland in 1880. Reidy served as a nurse for the New Zealand military from January 1916 to December 1918. The next 26 years of her life were spent attempting to preserve the hospital at Kawhia and ensuring the welfare of returned soldiers. She became a widely respected figure in her community. Reidy died on 17 January 1977.
Fanny Maud Wilson was a New Zealand army nurse and matron with the New Zealand Army Nursing Service Corps during World War I and the Samoan Expeditionary Forces in 1914.
Lizzie Ida Grace Willis was a notable New Zealand civilian and military nurse, hospital inspector, matron, army nursing administrator. She was part of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service Corps and the Samoan Expeditionary Forces in 1914.
Vida Mary Katie MacLean was a New Zealand civilian and military nurse and hospital matron with the New Zealand Army Nursing Service Corps during World War I and the Samoan Expeditionary Forces in 1914.
Hester Maclean, was an Australian-born nurse, hospital matron, nursing administrator, editor and writer who spent most of her career in New Zealand. She served in the First World War as the founding Matron-in-Chief of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service, and was one of the first nurses to be awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal.
Hanorah Philomena FitzGibbon MBE was a New Zealand civilian and military nurse, hospital matron and nursing administrator.
Evelyn Gertrude Brown,, usually known as Eva, was a New Zealand civilian and military nurse. She served during the First World War and was the only New Zealand nurse to receive the Royal Red Cross and Bar.
Jessie Bicknell was a New Zealand civilian and military nurse, and a health administrator. She served in World War I and was made an Associate of the Royal Red Cross for her service.
John Reader Hosking was a New Zealand natural products chemist.
Edith Mary Rudd was a New Zealand civilian and military nurse. She served in both World War I and World War II, and received the Florence Nightingale Medal from the Red Cross in 1961.
Minnie Johns Jeffery was a New Zealand civilian and military nurse and midwife. She served as a nurse during World War I.
Edith Penelope Tennent was a New Zealand nurse and hospital matron.
Helena Kathleen Isdell was a New Zealand nurse who served in the First World War and died in the sinking of SS Marquette in 1915.
Margaret (Daisy) Hitchcock was a nurse from New Zealand who served in France in World War I.
Cora Beattie Roberton, was a decorated New Zealand nurse who ran several Allied hospitals in the United Kingdom during the First World War. In time, she was appointed matron to every major hospital for injured New Zealand soldiers in England.
Albert Victor Sing also known as Private Albert Victor (Vincent) Singe was a New Zealand World War 1 veteran of Irish and Chinese descent.
Jagt Singh ਜਗਤ ਸਿੰਘ also known as Soldier Singh, was a New Zealand World War 1 soldier of Indian heritage.
Louise Alexa McNie was a nurse in the New Zealand Army Nursing Service Corps and the Samoan Expeditionary Forces in 1914.
Louise Elizabeth Brandon (1879–1945) was a military nurse during World War I with the New Zealand Army Nursing Service Corps and the Samoan Expeditionary Forces in 1914.