The Boer War
The King personally decorated Nurse Williamson (of New Zealand) with the Royal Red Cross. [The Royal Red Cross was founded in 1883. It is a distinction conferred upon ladies of any rank or portion, whether subjects or foreigners, who may be brought to His Majesty's notice for acts of mercy in attending to the sick or wounded in time of war.] -Otago Witness, 25/12/1901.
PERSONAL AND GENERAL NOTES FROM LONDON
Nurses Williamson and Peiper arrived from Durban a fortnight ago by the transport Roslin Castle. Nurse Williamson goes next week to Edinburgh to spend a month with relations, and on her return to London may possibly enter one of the hospitals to study another branch of her profession. In all probability she will not leave for New Zealand until the end of March or the beginning of April. -Evening Star, 14/1/1902.
BACK FROM THE WAR.
EXPEDIENCES OF A “KHAKI SISTER.”
Nurse Williamson, who has returned to the colony after an absence of over two years in South Africa and the Old Country, was kind enough to grant an interview to one of our representatives this afternoon, during which she recounted to him some of her experiences while a nursing sister, or as “Tommy” had it, a “khaki sister,” during the war. It should be mentioned that Nurse Williamson has attained high distinction, in that she brings back with her the only Royal Red Cross badge conferred upon a New Zealander for service in South Africa. She was mentioned in despatches by Lord Roberts for special and meritorious services, and while in London subsequently she received a command from the Secretary of State for War to at St. James’s Palace to receive, at the hands of the King, the reward of her labors. She did so, and was presented by His Majesty with the badge referred to (a handsome Maltese cross, bearing the words “Faith, hope, charity”), and also with the war medal. It was in March, 1900, that Nurse Williamson, with six other nursing sisters, left the colony for South Africa, where she was stationed in all twenty months, seventeen of which were spent is Bloemfontein. First she was sent to Wynburg, a suburb of Cape Town, and nursed there for three weeks. Next she went to Bloemfontein, arriving there on 3rd May, the day Lord Roberts left for Pretoria. After seventeen months there, she went, at the beginning of last October, to Durban, where she found she had been sent by mistake, and was thereupon moved on to No. 13 stationary hospital at Freetown, a few miles out of Durban. After three weeks there, she left in a troopship for England, where she has been for the past six months. This period she described as a rest, but it was a rest to some purpose, as Miss Williamson spent four months in a training home, and passed the London Obstetrical Society’s examination. When she arrived at Bloemfontein the epidemic of enteric was raging fiercely, and there were over 6,000 sick under treatment.. Asked if there were any foundation for the allegations made as to the inefficiency of the hospitals, she said there was something to be said in this way: Before the war the population of the town was only about 3,000, while the sick, as already stated, amounted to 6,000. The hospitals were only equipped to accommodate 600. One hospital contained no less than 2,000, and No. 10, to which she was attached, contained 7,000. Then, to make matters worse, the additional equipment necessary could not be conveniently fetched up the line. “I think it was wonderful that things were as good as they were.” When patients were brought in new tents were erected, and though the men had to lie on the ground, and in their uniforms, they themselves said it was far better than lying out on the open veldt, for they had shelter, care, and attention. The average death rate at this time amounted to from 35 to 40 per diem, while the highest number was 64. All the public buildings were converted into hospitals, and No. 10 comprised no less than twelve buildings at one time. The worst cases of enteric came from Paardeberg, and Nurse Williamson thinks that the cause of the prevalence of the disease was bad water taken in conjunction with the fact that the men were much reduced by privations. Last July Miss Williamson went for a trip to Johannesburg and Pretoria. Things were pretty quiet then, though, as she put it, one realised in Johannesburg what war really was. In the side streets most of the houses were boarded up, their occupants having fled. There was very little business going on. In Bloemfontein she had experience of the rigors of martial law, which, after Lord Kitchener’s advent, was very strict. “We could not go anywhere without a pass, and were not allowed beyond the outposts after 6 p.m.” All the roads in and out of the town, with the exception of three, were cut off with barbed wire and guarded by sentries, anyone attempting to pass through being liable to be shot. Here, as a result of the Sanna’s Pest disaster, the water supply was cut off, and supplies had to be brought to the town in carts. Asked how she found the Boers, and if they were as black as they were painted. Miss Williamson said that personally she liked them very much, though she believed some of the sisters had to do with some objectionable characters. “Tommy Atkins” she found just the devil-may-care sort of person that he has been described. He is certainly an absent-minded beggar, but an excellent patient, and one who takes everything calmly.” Some of them, however, were getting very sick of it before the end of the war. She found that a surgical ward full of “Tommies” was rather hard to manage sometimes, as the poor fellows were always playing tricks on one another. Asked her opinion of the fertility of the country she saw, she said: “Soldiers would be able to tell you more about that than I would.” When she went to Bloemfontein the ground looked rather parched, but then that was after Lord Roberts and his men had been camped there for some time. She was told that when he went there the grass outside the town was as high as the horses’ backs, and she could testify that after a shower of rain the ground took on quite a refreshing green tinge. She attempted to rear a kitchen garden, and her seeds came up surprisingly, only some horses were also on the look out for vegetable food. Miss Williamson paid great tribute to the kindness and courtesy extended to her and other sisters (colonials especially) while in London by Lady Dudley, who took them into her home, and told them to make the place their home. It should be mentioned that Nurse Williamson had quite forgotten to mention the fact of her decoration, although she admitted modestly that she was very proud of it. For the present she has no programme but one of rest, and does not want to go back to South Africa at present, though she likes the country very, much “For scenery, however, it cannot be compared with New Zealand,” she added, and it was evident that her travels had made her realise to the full the fact that “there is no place like home.” -Evening Star, 30/7/1902.
NOTES FROM DUNEDIN.
(our own correspondent.)
Dunedin, Oct. 7.
Nurse Williamson who went out to South Africa with our contingents has received the appointment of matron of the Nelson hospital. -Greymouth Evening Star, 8/10/1902.
RETURNED TROOPERS' SOCIAL.
Last evening a number of returned troopers belonging to Roslyn, together with Nurse Williamson (who was another representative of the district at the front), were entertained in the Wakari Drill Hall. The guests were: Nurse Williamson, Trooper R. Cornish (Eighth Contingent), Troopers Todd, G. Blackie, Jones, and Mason (Ninth), Corporal F. Fairlie, Lancecorporal J. Anderson, and Troopers McLean and Forbes (Tenth). Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R. (mayor of the borough), presided, and there were on the platform Messrs J. A. Millar, J. F. Arnold, and A. R. Barclay, M.H.R.s, and. Mr R. Chisholm.
Mr Millar expressed his pleasure at the opportunity afforded of being allowed to do honor to the troopers and Nurse Williamson. They ought to be welcomed home with the same enthusiasm as when they were sent away, for by their deeds in South Africa honor had been brought on the colony. Mr Seddon had said that it would be the duty of the colony to look after the interests of the men who had left to fight in South Africa. It would be the people's duty to keep the Premier to his promise. He hoped never to experience another hour the same as that morning, when he was told that some of the troopers — many of them with large sums due them — were breaking stones to prevent them from starving. The returned troopers deserved more equitable treatment, and he felt confident that the Government would have to accord it. He concluded by expressing his best wishes for the future happiness and prosperity of the troopers and Nurse Williamson.
Mr Arnold said that the war, happily, was over, but the colony was responsible for the troopers' temporal welfare, in finding them work, looking after their health, etc. The troopers had also a duty to the colony by assisting in the defence of the colony. He hoped that they would join the ranks of the volunteers and help with their experience and knowledge.
Mr Barclay said Dunedin and district had sent their troopers away to South Africa with cheers and blessings, and he saw them come back with more pleasure than he saw them go away. He often thought how very apposite were those lines of Tennyson, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," and went on to say that it was no part of the business of our men "to reason why," and to inquire who had ''blundered." It had been their part "to do or die." It was the of the foremost councillors of the State and of the Legislature. The statesmen had to inquire who had blundered, and he trusted that they would do their duty as faithfully as the men present that night had done theirs. — (Applause.)
Mr Chisholm delivered a patriotic speech, his allusions to the "brave boys who had faced the belching kopjes and the cannon's roar, and with indomitable courage had fought their way to victory" being loudly applauded.
The Chairman then presented medals to the returned troopers (with the exception of Troopers Cornish .and Blackie, who are to receive theirs later on). In doing so he made an appropriate reference to the good work done by the New Zealanders, including the nurses. Of Nurse Williamson, he said she was the only native-born lady in Australasia who had the honor of receiving the Royal Red Cross.
The medals were then pinned on the breasts of the troopers by Mrs Kemnitz, and Miss Durston, the chairman performing a similar act in the case of Nurse Williamson. The latter responded briefly, Mr Chisholm speaking for the troopers.
The formal part of the proceedings being terminated, and 'God save the King' having been sung, the floor was cleared for dancing. The musical part of the programme was supplied by Misses Durston and Weir, Mr Wilkinson, and Trooper Conn. Mr W. Young also contributed two amusing recitations, and was very successful in both. The Kaikorai Band played a selection or two prior to the opening. The arrangements were in the hands of the Roslyn Borough Council. -Evening Star, 16/10/1902.
Eventually there came another war. With her experience in the field, Nurse Williamson was useful in committee work for those who went abroad. But, at the end of the war, every nurse was needed.
THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC
POSITION SATISFACTORY. OPTIMISTIC FEELING ON ALL SIDES. (excerpt)
HANOVER STREET AUXILIARY HOSPITAL.
Mr Desmoulins reports that there were 23 patients at the Hanover Street Auxiliary Hospital this morning. Nine of these are convalescent. The need of donations in money or kind for the relief of cases of distress is great. Delicacies such as jellies, fruit, soup, etc., will be welcomed. Nurse Williamson is now sister on night duty, having taken over the work from Mrs Desmoulins, whose experienced aid has been of such great service since the opening of ibis auxiliary hospital. -Evening Star, 28/11/1918.
The establishment of a dental clinic, in charge of Nurse Williamson and a probationer, in Lower Hutt. is a considerable asset to the district, and many children, attending various schools, have reaped advantage of the treatment given, and saved considerably the worries and expenses of parents.
The committee of the Hutt dental clinic held the first of its dances last Wednesday evening at the Taita Hall, and this project was well supported by many from Lower Hutt and Taita residents. The committee made everyone present at the hall as comfortable as possible, and the arrangements for the dancers during the evening were well carried out. Music was all that one could wish for, and Mr Alf. Turner acted as an M.C., and his services were well appreciated. The supper arrangements were a credit to those responsible, and one and all left the hall at a later hour well satisfied with the evening’s dance. After providing for the expenses the fund of the Hutt dental clinic was supplemented by over L4, derived from the Undertaking, which spoke well for those who worked hard for its success. This institution is well deserving of support and encouragement from the entire community of the Lower Hutt, and it is hoped in the near future that a better response will be obtained in keeping the doors of the Hutt dental clinic open for the welfare of the children. -NZ Times, 20/7/1923.
SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS
REUNION AND SMOKE CONCERT (excerpt)
Lake’s Restaurant, Dowling street, was the scene on Saturday night of the annual smoke concert and reunion of the South African Veterans’ Association.
Dr Falconer proposed the toast or “The Nurses,” and, in doing so, said that this was the first occasion in his recollection on which the South African War nurses had been so honoured. He went on to pay a tribute to Nurse Williamson, the “grand old woman" of New Zealand’s war nurses, and the first New Zealand-trained nurse to be awarded the Royal Red Cross, and said that throughout the Empire, and in other countries as well, New Zealand nurses were famed for their efficiency and adaptability. The toast was enthusiastically honoured, the gathering giving three hearty cheers and singing ‘For They are jolly Good Fellows.’ -Evening Star, 5/6/1933.
As a farewell to Sister Davies, who has been acting as junior sister at the Pleasant Valley Sanatorium, Palmerston, for two years, and who is to be a Christmas bride, the nursing staff held a party in the lounge of the home. The toast of the guest was proposed by Nurse Williamson, Sister Davies suitably replying. Those present included Sister Hollands, Sister Cessford, Sister Thompson (Dunedin), Nurse O'Hara, Nurse Challis, Nurse Williamson, Nurse Kusbatch, Nurse Russell, and Nurse Quin. Sister Davies was also the recipient of two attractive gifts — one presented to her by Sister Glynes, matron, and the other by the patients. -Otago Daily Times, 14/12/1934.
Miss Ellen Maria Monsonv , whose death took place yesterday after a lengthy illness, was one of the two Port Chalmers nurses who saw service abroad during the South African War, the other being Nurse S. Ross, now Mrs Dr Noonan, of Remuera, Auckland. The late Nurse Monson was among the first of the nurses to be trained at the Dunedin Hospital, and left for South Africa with the first band of nurses under the charge of Nurse Williamson. A military funeral took place this morning at the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery, the pall bearers being members of the South African War Veterans’ Association. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. Mr Pywell, and the special soldiers’ service by Mr Ben Ellis, of the, South African Veterans’ Association. -Evening Star, 9/12/1935.
Nurse Williamson
Last month Nurse Janet Wyse Mackie Williamson who was in charge of the Otago and Southland nurses during the South African War passed away at her home at Roslyn, Dunedin. She was trained in the Dunedin Hospital, and later filled the position as matron of Lincoln College. In March, 1900, she left for South Africa. She had the distinction of being the first New Zealand nurse to receive the Royal Red Cross, which was conferred on her by the late King Edward VII. On returning to New Zealand she was matron of Nelson Hospital for some time. She then took up private nursing until she had to retire on account of indifferent health. Many of her friends attended the services conducted by the Rev. Allen Stevely at her late residence and at the graveside. South African veterans acted as pall-bearers. The late Nurse Williamson was a sister of Mr A. F. C. Williamson of Akaroa. -Otago Daily Times, 19/3/1936.
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