Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service

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Miss Nora Earls, Sister, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service, was made an Associate of the Royal Red Cross (2nd Class).

Miss Earls has been in the Middle East since December, 1939, during which period she has carried out the arduous duties of Sister in the operating theatres of several hospitals. Posted to 62 General Hospital, she was again working in one of the operating theatres while in Tobruk, and carried out valuable and meritorious service during the extreme pressure of work at the time of the Knightsbridge battle and until evacuated from Tobruk.

Her devotion to duty was outstanding and undoubtedly helped in the alleviation of much suffering of many of the wounded.

Miss Earls comes from Co. Monaghan.

London Gazette:
16 February 1943
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35908/supplements/864

The Times, Saturday, Feb 20, 1943

MIDDLE EAST GALLANTRY
AWARDS FOR SERVICES LAST YEAR

The King has also approved the following award in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period May, 1942, to October, 1942:-

ASSOCIATE OF THE ROYAL RED CROSS
Miss N. EARLS, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S. (Co. Monaghan, Eire)

See this thread for ref:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852

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Miss Lilian Ellen Murphy, Sister (acting Matron), Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service, was made an Associate of the Royal Red Cross.

This lady has been for the past two years an Acting Matron, first with 58 General Hospital, and later with 43 General Hospital. This last hospital, which was sited in three separate buildings in Jerusalem, all distant from each other, was most difficult to control. By her energy, hard work and devotion to duty she has carried out with great success this difficult duty and has co-ordinated and established in the unit a highly efficient state of nursing and comfort to the numerous patients of all types treated in this hospital.

Miss Murphy comes from Cork.

London Gazette:
12 October 1943
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36209/supplements/4546


See this thread for ref:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852

[Steve G]

Just a rather pointless aside from all that, perhaps? But, this has reminded me that the Queen Alexandra Hospital, just north above Portsmouth, was originally a dedicated, Military Hospital.

I think I have an image or two of it during that era. Bit pre WW2 though, I'd imagine?

[Capt Bill]

Sister Catherine O'Loughlin
a young nurse from County Clare (I have a copy of her records)

[spidge]

Although a WW1 nurse, I took a photo of Nurse Dickson for Jim Strawbridge over at the GWF who collects these from all over the world.

She died in the Military Hospital St Kilda Road Melbourne after returning from overseas and is buried at Coburg Lone Pine Cemetery near me in Melbourne.

Nurse Dickson was the first Australian woman to be accorded full military honours.

AWM Collection Record: P05159.001 - Portrait of Sister May Dickson, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS), the first Australian woman to be buried in Australia with full military honours. Sister Dickson was a ...

Coburg Pine Ridge Dickson_May2.JPG

[spidge]

Double Post - Please fully edit!

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From The Times, Mar 24, 1945:

Among five recipients of the George Medal is Sister Miss Sheila Margaret Greaves, Q.A.I.M.N.S. She was at a casualty clearing station and a reception camp at Anzio, Italy, on March 14, 1944, when enemy aircraft machine-gunned and bombed the area. She saw that the bombs had hit tents at the reception camp, and she at once dressed the wounded while a second wave of bombers came in. Her prompt action undoubtedly saved very much suffering and hastened the evacuation of wounded to the casualty clearing station.

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From The Times, May 21, 1945:

OBITUARY
FALLEN OFFICERS
THE ARMY

SISTER MARY SATCHELL, Q.A.I.M.N.S. (R.), was educated at Christ's Hospital, and received her nursing training at University College Hospital. She was on active service in France, narrowly escaping falling into the hand of the Germans at Le Treport, and was afterwards with the Eighth Army in Egypt and Italy. She returned to this country on leave at the end of last year, after 41/2 years' service abroad, and was looking forward to being posted to the British Liberation Army.

She died in Lincoln Military Hospital, and was buried in the churchyard of St. Nicholas, Newport, just outside the city, with military honours.

L.H.P. writes:
"A section of the official history of the war should be reserved for recording the devoted services of the sisters attached to the fighting forces. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service is not well-known to the public. The original dove-grey uniform (now being displaced by khaki) with red facings, the inconspicuous badge and the military 'pips' drew puzzled looks from most civilians.

Mary Satchell was on of that large band of State registered nurses who joined the reserve at the beginning of the war. Thousands of grateful patients - from this country, from the Dominions and from Indian - owe their lives to their care. Mary and a companion reached this country from France bereft of everything but courage. Refitted, she was sent to Egypt and then to Italy - she was the proud possesor of the Eighth ''Star' - and there were forged bonds of comradeship unique to the Eighth. Some of her friends in that Army stood silently at the salute at her open grave, in tribute to a girl of high courage, grace, and charm."

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From The Times, June 23, 1944

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From The Times, July 19, 1941:

COMMISSIONED RANK FOR ARMY SISTERS

Members of the Military Nursing Services, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, and Territorial Army Nursing Service have since their formation had officers' status and since 1926 relative military rank was officially recognized for them as follows:-
Matron-in-chief, colonel;
principal matron, lieutenant-colonel;
matron, major;
sister, lieutenant.

Since the entry of so many women to the Services it has been felt that the rank markings of the nursing services should come into line with other women officers. All members of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service and Territorial Army Nursing Service and reserves are therefore offered emergency commissions in these two Services, to be gazetted as Sisters, equivalent rank as above and with immediate acting or temporary rank held by each member at present. They will wear rank badges.

Members will be allowed to serve on after marriage. Relegation to the unemployed list will be possible on compassionate grounds.