This collection belonged to Sister Tessa Thomas R.R.M. (Nee Youngman) Sister Thomas was born at Creswick 1882, died Brisbane 1948. She trained at the Alfred Hospital for 3 years from 1909. On the 28th November 1914, as a staff nurse she embarked on the "Shyarra" from Australia and served at the 1st Australian General Hospital, Egypt. February 1917 she was attached to the 2nd Auxiliary Hospital Southhall, one of the hospitals specializing in fitting artificial limbs. 2 June 1916, she was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal 2nd class for her valuable services.WW1 Active Service Return Medal WW1 Return from Overseas Services Chevron, Lapel badge WW1 Royal Irish Rifles badge WW1 Manchester Regiment Fleur de Lis Egyptian Enamel Broach

A French flag that was flown in Rouen, France on Armistice Day in 1918. The note says it was donated to Legacy by Matron H. E. Tait RRC. There are no details how she came to have the flag or why she gave it to Melbourne Legacy. From the AWM Matron HE Tait is Helen Elizabeth Tait, from Maffra who had trained at the Alfred Hospital and joined the Australian Army Nursing Service. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross (2nd Class) for her service in World War One. Her full record is available from the National Archive of Australia. It shows she was serving at the 1st Australian General Hospital in Rouen in November of 1918 when the war ended. RRC is The Royal Red Cross (RRC) which is a military decoration awarded in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for exceptional services in military nursing. After the war she returned to Melbourne and was Matron of Melbourne Grammar School. She never married and died in 1976.The founding Legatees all fought in World War One and momentos like this flag would have been appreciated by them.A French flag from World War One.Note with the flag is typed and says ' French Flag which floated over the Town Hall in Rouen on Armistice Day November 11th 1918. Donated by Matron H. E. Tait, R.R.C.'france, world war one, rouen, nurse, souvenir