Historical information

Ethel May Ogilvy (nee Stoddart) became a Red Cross Nurse during World War I after completing a course in Nursing and Hygiene conducted by the St John Ambulance Association in November 1914. This portrait was presumably taken after Ethel had completed this course. Ethel's daughter later donated her mother's uniform - which is held by the Museum.
Most Australian Red Cross nurses, like Ethel, contributed to the war effort at home. They filled a need created by the exit of a large number of Australian nurses to the front and by the influx of seriously injured personnel who were brought back home.
In 1919, Ethel Stoddart married Arthur James Ogilvy, a veteran of the Boer War and World War I. The couple moved to Emerald in 1936 where they lived the remainder of their lives.

Significance

This photograph is emblematic of the variety of ways in which Australian women contributed to the war effort during World War 1.

Physical description

Black and white photographic portrait of Nurse Ethel Stoddart mounted in a sepia-coloured cardboard frame. Signature of photography studio in bottom right of frame.

Inscriptions & markings

In bottom right of frame: 'Gainsborough / 213 CHAPEL ST / PRAHRAN'