Elizabeth Florence Allen (1932 – 1978) SC, RN, RM came from the Channel Islands and completed her general nurse training at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom from 1949-1952. She then completed part one of her midwifery training at Birch Hill Hospital, near Rochdale, Greater Manchester 1953-1954.
Miss Allen then travelled to Australia, arriving in Perth, Western Australia before coming to South Australia. She completed her midwifery training at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville and then remained on the staff of the hospital for 15 years from November 1959 to 1974, and during this time she was the Charge Sister of Ward 7A – a private patient surgical ward.
Some memories of her time on 7A were that the ‘ward ran like clockwork’ and she was stern but fair, dedicated to her staff, extremely efficient, professional and gifted, and ‘old school’.
In 1974 Miss Allen was appointed Matron (Director of Nursing) at St Margaret’s Convalescent Hospital, in the Adelaide suburb of Semaphore. Mr C.R. Deere, hospital secretary told The Australian Nurses’ Journal:
‘To us she was the epitome of everything that was good for St Margaret’s. She quickly became a leader who had the utmost respect given to her by the staff and board of management. She instituted a lot of important changes from the start. We were greatly impressed by her concern for the patients and her pride in the staff. She had this very professional nursing approach and she was looking forward to doing so many things involved in alterations to the hospital arising from suggestions instigated by her’.
On the 10th March 1978, Matron Allen, at St Margaret’s Convalescent Hospital, Semaphore, South Australia heard a noise near the Reception area and she confronted the gunman as he entered the hospital. She had prior knowledge about this man as he was the stepfather of an employee, and recognised the potential of him to become violent and she also noticed a rifle at his side and attempted to stop him from going further into the hospital.
Matron Allen tried to alert the staff to the situation and cover staff. She was shot in the back and fatally wounded during this confrontation and an Enrolled Nurse was shot in the arm and a member of the domestic staff was seriously wounded (both have recovered from their injuries).
The stuff, and Matron Allen, involved in the accident were transferred to the TQEH Emergency Department to seek medical help. Staff on duty at the time included a senior and junior registered nurse, Dr Des Owens who was Head of Emergency and Dr Frank Bridgewater who was the surgeon.
The incident deeply affected the hospital community and those involved in the emergency response. Robyn Johnston, a CALHN Health Museum volunteer and former staff member of TQEH, was on shift during this time and remembers having to prepare the emergency threat for those involved.
In the aftermath, numerous tributes were published, including messages from colleagues and directors. They included from Miss G E Tanner, (Director of Nursing at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital), Dr A.W Dibden, (Director General of Medical Services), Nancy White, (SRN and colleague), and a letter from Miss Allen’s sister Mrs Esme Brierley, as well as a sample of some of the many letters of condolence received by her that have been published.
Miss Elizabeth Florence Allen was awarded posthumous the Star of Courage on 1 May 1979. The citation reads:
‘For her bravery in confronting an armed and dangerous man in order to protect hospital staff and patients Miss Allen displayed conspicuous courage, and in doing so lost her life’.
Written by Robyn Johnston (OAM, B Nurs, FCNA), CALHN Health Museum Volunteer
