Mementos of the Hamilton Base Hospital's former Matron of have been presented after a series of coincidences. While Mrs Nell Dobson (neeBryant)was travelling through Hamilton, she was invited to attend the nurses graduation ceremony at the hospital, where the Dux of the nurses course received the Gwlady Thomas Prize. Nell first met Matron Thomas in 1934 and again in 1941 when Matron Thomas joined her at the 1st Australian General Hospital at Gaza. Nell kept a diary, describing life as an army nurse, including August 31 when Matron Thomas and Sister McPhail were injured and subsequently died on September 1. Nell continued her diary throughout her war service, including the happier times and many moving moments. Nell later returned to Hamilton to present photo copies of her diary and other momentos of her days serving with Gwladys Thomas to the hospital. A newspaper clipping of a story consisting of three columns of text beneath the title.'local paper. 4th June/80' [graphite, along top] Al Matheson was the doctor.' [graphite, down left hand side]melbourne, wwii, middle east, don dobson, len wilkinson, mrs wilkinson, dunolly, australian imperial forces, aif, tobruk, gaza ridge, al kantara, jerusalem, 2nd 4th australian general hospital, al matheson

Stella Jessie Mackin (Hewston) enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service No VX42596 on 4.6.1940 age 25 years 6 months. Served with 7th AGH and 4th AGH. Embarked for the Middle East 3.2.1941 and served with the 1st and 7th AGH. Hospital 27.5.1942 with Scabies, rejoin unit 29.5.1941, hospital 30.1.1942 with Gastro Enteritis, rejoin unit 1.2 1942. Embark for Australia 31.1.1943, serves with 115th AGH and 2/9th AGH. Appointed Lieutenant 23.3.1943. Embark for New Guinea 21.9.1943 and serves with 2/7th AGH, appointed Capt 24.9.1943. Hospital 2.6.1944 with Dengue Fever, rejoin unit 8.6.1944. Embark for Australia 25.1.1945, serves with 102nd AGH and 2/2nd AGH, discharged from the AIF on 25.3.1946. Refer 2993 re Stella. AGH, Australian General Hospital. Part of the Hewston collection WW1 & WW2.10 Photocopied pages of service records relating to Stella Jessie (Noelle) Mackin nee Hewston VX42596.documents-records, military history-service records, nursing

Robert Raymond O’DONAHOO No 1399 enlisted in the AIF in 2nd reinforcements to 14th Battalion on 19.10.1914 age 21 years 11 months. Embarked for Egypt 2.2.1915, embark for Gallipoli 12.4.1915, WIA 27.8.1915 GSW to left leg severe, admitted 4th Field Ambulance then to Mudros Island, admitted 3rd London General Hospital England 12.9.1915, leg amputated (appears to have been halfway between knee and ankle), embark for Australia 8.5.1916, discharged from the AIF 25.12.1916 medically unfit.Framed, wooden, dark lacquer within which is displayed 2 items mounted on red background: 1. Invitation card with Royal crest from the King & Queen to Pte O'Donahoo, Wednesday 22 March 1916. 2. Red ink, round cardboard disc - Buckingham Palace 1916.In text on back: “Paul O'Donahoo”documents - inviation, buckingham palace, o’donahoo

Born 5th October 1895 in Adavoyle, United Kindom Occupation Grocer and later horticulturalist Married after WW1- Wife - Daisy Florence Barclay World War One Staff Sergeant Regimental Number 2139 Enlisted AIF in Melbourne 29th December 1914, having previously served 3 months with the Ulster Volunteers and to camp Broadmeadows, to depot Battalion 29th December 1914. Embarked from Melbourne for the middle East with 3rd reinforcement group for the 5th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 25th February 1915 per transport 'Runic'. Disembarked Alexandria and to camp Heliopolis, Egypt. Operation Gallipoli from 5th May 1915 with 5th Battalion. Sick with dental problems 2nd Field Ambulance 17th September 1915. To hospital Lemnos 20th December 1915. To Alexandria hospital with pluerisy 12th January 1916. Returned to Australia with enteric per 'Nestor' 9th February 1916.To duty Broadmeadows 4th April 1916. Wmbarked with 4th reinforcements group for the 58th Battalion, 15th Brigade per transport 'Themistocles' 1st August 1916 Returned to England 14th September 1916. Operations France and Flanders from 6th December 1916. To 59th Battalion 29th December 1916. To 5th Division Infantry School 18th February to 28th March 1917 as Lance Corporal. Corporal 7th April 1917. Sergeant 2nd May 1917. To 3rd Southern General Hospital Oxford 4th October 1917. Returned to Melbourne per Transport 'Persic' 12th February 1918. Discharged 14th March 1918. Second World War. Regimental Number V5571 Emlisted in the Australian Military Forces in Royal Park, Melbourne 22nd August 1940 and to 2nd Infantry Training Battalion, Fyansford. Staff Sergeant 24th August 1940. To 2/14th Training Battalion Wangaratta 11th October 1940. To 2/23rd Training Battalion, Wangaratta 18th October, 1940.To Southern Command Training School 26th May 1941.to Camp Bonegilla 15th May 1942. To Camp Caulfield 11th November 1942. Discharged to Reserve Occupation 19th November 1942. Remarks. Awarded 1915-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal 1914-1919 Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal as Lance Corporal vide London Gazette 30111 of 31st July 1918. Citation for action on 9th July 1917 during the third Battle of Ypres reads- " For conspicous gallantry and devotion to duty. He rendered invaluable service during operation in carrying important messsages through heavy fire" Awarded War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45 in 1951. Described as 71.5inches tall, medium complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He died 11th September 1962.WW1 - Distinguished Conduct Medal 1914/15 Star 1914/18 British War Medal Victory Medal WW11 - 1939/45 British War Medal Australian Service Medal 1939/45 All medals with associated coloured ribbons. These are replica medals made in the exact metals as the originals. Also in display is a record of War Service which can be found in the narrative. Noneservice, medal, 1918, citation, ww1, military, gazette, london, ww11, medals, 30111, 31st, july, ypres, distinguished