Historical information

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.

Physical description

A newspaper clipping of a story consisting of three columns of text beneath the title.

Inscriptions & markings

'local paper. 4th June/80' [graphite, along top]
Al Matheson was the doctor.' [graphite, down left hand side]