Extraordinary deeds of local women

In keeping with that theme of honouring Australian service women, towards the end of her Anzac Day address, Major Wyatt took the opportunity to highlight extraordinary deeds of three local women.

VF396420 Signal Woman Marjorie Hiskins was born in Rutherglen on December 2, 1924, to father Neil John Hiskins and mother Alice (nee Fuge) and enlisted in the Australian Women’s Army Service at the outbreak of war, at age 18.

After undertaking basic and trade training in Sydney she was posted to No. 2 Australian Signals Training Battalion in Ivanhoe, Melbourne.

“She served in subsequent postings as a signals and wireless operator throughout Victoria often at Heavy Anti-Aircraft stations around Melbourne,” Major Wyatt said.

“Signalwoman Marjorie did not discharge from Army service until mid-1946 – not able to be released as being deemed an ‘essential service’.”

She married Douglas Rupert Schultz and passed away at Wangaratta on the 31/1/2011. She was the mother of Bill, Neil, Judy, Gary, David and Robyn.

Two WW1 Nurses, Sister Elizabeth Kelly and Sister Mary Agnes O’Shea, served in the Australian Army Nursing Service.

Sister Elizabeth (Besie) Rose Kelly was born to parents Mary and Jack Kelly, had three sisters and two brothers, and grew up on a farming property via Rutherglen.

She undertook her nursing training in Melbourne at St Vincent’s Hospital. After her father passed away, she, along with her mother and a sister lived in High Street Rutherglen, working at the small hospital in High Street.

Sister Kelly enlisted with the ANNS on July 11, 1917, as a direct entry staff nurse. She was posted to Harefield Manner in Middlesex, England and was discharged on February 2, 1919, after returning home to Australia.

Sister O’Shea was born in Rutherglen in 1874 to parents Cornelius and Agnes (Annie) nee McKee. She trained at St Vincent’s Hospital.

Prior to enlisting on July 26, 1917, Sister O’Shea worked at the 5 th Australian Army Hospital in St Kilda Road for 21 months, as a volunteer Red Cross volunteer or civilian employee.

Sister O’Shea embarked for the UK on May 9, 1917, aboard the Ulysses, where upon her arrival in Plymouth on July 29, 1917, she was detailed for duty to the Croydon War Hospital commencing on August 16, 1917.

Croydon War Hospital (known as a Davidson Rd Hospital) housed invalid soldiers and those suffering with illnesses such as tuberculosis and similar.

On January 8, 1918, Sister O’Shea was transferred to Harefield Hospital, Number 1 Australian Hospital. She returned to Australia via the Zealandia on November 26, 1918, where she was Sister in charge of the convalescents and invalids heading for home. Sister O’Shea died in Melbourne in 1932.

“Sister Mary O’Shea stated at her enlistment that she was 39-years-old, just slipping in as the enlistment cut off age was 40 – maybe she had forgotten that she was actually 43-years-of-age at the time!” Major Wyatt said.

“Both Sisters distinguished themselves nursing the wounded and invalided soldiers being repatriated on the hospital ships returning to Australia in 1919 at the end of the war. It was hard work, and they were reported to have undertaken their duties with such care and compassion.”

Major Wyatt said these three ladies from Rutherglen have added to Australia’s history. “Nations are shaped by their histories, their memories and their stories,” she said. “For Australia our identity has been etched deeply by what we call ANZAC.”

Rutherglen RSL Subbranch President Craig Williams spoke highly of Major Wyatt’s Anzac Day address. In respect of her reference to the three Rutherglen women, he said: “It was fantastic to hear and tie something back in the Rutherglen community.”