Anzac Day is a time of remembrance of those service men and women who fought for their country. At a time when they were needed many every day Australians answered the call to enlist and left their families to fight. Many nurses and doctors who worked across CALHN institutions answered the call too. Giving up their services at Adelaide Hospital (Royal) and Parkside Mental Hospital to help those service personnel overseas.
Lucy Compson DAW (1883-1958)
Born on 18th July, 1883 in Mount Barker, South Australia she was the eldest daughter of Alfred and Clara (nee MacKenzie) Daw.
She trained as a nurse at the Adelaide Hospital (Later named Royal Adelaide Hospital) graduating in 1907.
By 1915 Lucy was granted leave for active service in World War 1. Leaving Australia on 20th May 1915 on the “RMAS Mooltan” and served in the Dardanelles, Egypt, Belgium, England and France. She served in the 3rd Australian General Hospital (AGM) and Reinforcements. It was during her time on the front where she documented her wartime experiences in her two diaries (1915 and 1916). These diaries are held by the CALHN Health Museum.
Lucy Daw returned to Australia on the cessation of war hostilities on 20th March 1919. She resumed her duties at the Adelaide Hospital, where she was appointed the role of Assistant Matron, Acting Matron. In 1931 she was promoted to Matron. A position she held until 1943.
In 1939 Miss Daw was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for “recognition of long and assiduous in nursing profession”.
Miss Lucy Daw passed away on 4th December 1958 aged 75 years.
Ellen (Nell) Louise KEATS (1915-1942)
Ellen Louise (Nell) Keats was born on 1st July 1915 in South Australia.
Nell began her nursing training at Parkwynd Private Hospital in 1933, then transferring to Adelaide Hospital to complete her training. She graduated in 1937. After graduation she was employed as a staff sister at the Adelaide Hospital.
She enlisted with the Australian Army Nursing Service on 18th December 1940, and was called up for service in February 1941. On 19th May 1941 Nell embarked on “HMAT Zealandia” and arrived in Singapore on 9th June 1941. She then travelled to Malacca in Malaya with the 2nd/10th Australian General Hospital. At times Nell and fellow nurses would be seconded to 2nd/13th Australian General Hospital.
She was with this unit when most of the hospital were evacuated back to Singapore in late January 1941. From personal letters written to her mother she remains upbeat. This letter dated 20th December 1941 states;
“Each night we have community singing in the mess, which I enjoy very much, and tonight I am going to the pictures to see Waterloo Bridge… We are still not very busy as we haven’t started receiving casualties”.
In February 1942 she was amongst a group of 65 nurses evacuated from Singapore aboard the ship “Vyner Brooke”. During the voyage the ship was fit by fire from the Japanese. The ship began to fill with water and stared to sink off the coast of Sumatra. Sister Keats was listed as “missing”. It was later discovered that she was taken prisoner and killed.
Nell Keats was killed on 14th February 1942 aged 26 years.
Dr Charles Trevor TURNER (1889-1977) MC
Charles Trevor Turner was born on 2nd January 1889 in Morgan, South Australia.
He studied medicine at the University of Adelaide and graduated with a MB BS in 1914.
In July 1915 whilst working at the Adelaide Hospital he enlisted for World War 1. He was posted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital. Whilst there he was appointed RMO 9Resident Medical Officer) of the newly formed 1st Pioneer Battalion in Egypt.
Turner was awarded the Military Cross (MC) on 5th June 1917 for “distinguished service in the field” during action at Poziers, France. The cross is held in the CALHN Health Museum Collection.
“At Poziers, France on 23rd July 1916, Captain Turner formed his dressing station near Battalion Headquarters in Sunken Road Valley, at commencement of operations against Poziers. The shell fire was so severe that the Battalion Headquarters were transferred to Contalmaison. Capt. Turner, however finding he was doing most useful work, remained there during the whole operation (battle) in a hastily constructed dugout. He was thus able to attend to the many wounded men who made their way or were carried down the valley”.
By September of 1917 he had been promoted to Major and In January 1918 posted to the 3rd Australian General Hospital.
Returning to Australia in 1919 he married and started a family. In 1922 he was appointed as Medical Superintendent at the Adelaide Hospital. Part of this position he was required to attend court and give evidence at coroner’s inquests. He resigned in 1925 to go into private practice.
He also enlisted for service in World War 2 at the age of 52 years and 11 months. On 28th September 1942 he was called up for full time service.
Dr Charles Turner died 26th May 1977 in Elsternwick, Victoria aged 88 years.
Dr Michael Henry DOWNEY (1877-1933)
Michael Henry Downey was born on 20th October 1877 in Tolleen, Victoria.
In 1896 he studied medicine at the University of Melbourne. During his years at university he joined the University Officers Corps. Prior to graducating he transferred to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and completed his LRCP (Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians) and LRCS (Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons) in 1901.
In 1902 Dr Downey served as surgeon to the Royal Australian Medical Corps in the Boer War at Cape Colony. Upon returning to Australia he continued his studies and completed his MB BS in 1904. Having shown an interest in mental diseases he worked alongside William Beattie Smith (psychiatrist and expert in mental diseases at the University of Melbourne).
This interest saw him appointed assistant resident medical officer at Parkside Mental Hospital in South Australia. In 1914 upon the retirement of Dr CL Cleland, Downey became the Superintendent of Parkside. During this time he continued his military service. Having joined the AIF on 10th February 1916 he was posted in command of 11th Field Ambulance and sent to France. During the battle of Messines on 7th June 1917 Downey was awarded the DSO (Distinguished Service Order) for his ability as a leader whilst evacuating 300 wounded personnel from the Advance Dressing Station at Kandahar Farm.
Upon his return to Australia he continued his military career until retiring from the military in 1926. After the war he returned to his work at Parkside Mental Hospital.
Dr Michael Downey died from a heart attack at 56 years on 17th April 1933. In his honour there were two buildings named after him: Downey House and Downey Grove (both since demolished).
These are just a few of the dedicated men and women of the CALHN institutions who fought during war times.
“Lest We Forget”
Written by Kellie Branson, CALHN Health Museum
