The sinking of the transport "Marquette" by a German submarine in the Aegean Sea was regarded as a war crime in New Zealand, due to the heavy toll of doctors, nurses and orderlies of the No. 1 NZ Stationary Hospital who were on board. But the "Marquette" was a legitimate target, carrying artillery personnel, equipment and ammunition, and not marked with a red cross. The person who ordered New Zealand medical staff to board a military transport has never been named.
PERSONAL NOTES.
Nurse Isdell, who has served as probationer in the Kumara Hospital for the past three and a half years, has received notice of her appointment to a position at Napier. She tendered her resignation to the Secretary of the Hospital Committee yesterday. -Greymouth Evening Star, 25/8/1911.
From Nurse Isdell, Kumara, asking Board's permission to organise euchre tournaments at regular intervals, on behalf of the Board. — Received and approved. -West Coast Times, 9/5/1913.
At the conclusion of the voting for the Queen at yesterday's Carnival, Dr. Thacker, M.P. for Christchurch East, was successful in raising £25 for the purpose of making a presentation to Nurse Isdell, who is leaving for service abroad. In the evening, when the Coronation ceremony was concluded, the Deputy Mayor, Mr H. M. Coulson made the presentation of a purse of sovereigns to Miss Isdell. -Grey River Argus, 25/5/1915.
At Holy Trinity Church, Kumara, on Sunday morning, after the second celebration of the Holy Communion, the Rev. S. Stephens handed to Nurse Isdell a prayer and hymn book as a remembrance of her connection with the Church as a regular communicant for the past six years. -West Coast Times, 2/6/1915.
PERSONAL ITEMS
Nurse Isdell, who is going with the N..Z. Nurses to serve at the front, leaves this morning for Wellington. -Grey River Argus, 19/6/1915.
OFF TO THE FRONT.
FAREWELL TO NURSE JAMIESON.
A large number of friends and admirers of Nurse Jamieson gathered at the Town Hall, Kumara, on Thursday night to bid her good-bye (says the Times). The hall had been decorated with bunting, and excellent arrangements had been made for the function, which was spontaneous.
Mr J. A. Murdoch (Mayor) presided, and on the platform with him were the Rev. Mr Fraser and Mr Park (Hokitika), Mr A. Aitken, and the guest.
A short musical programme was given, the items being: Song, "The Rosary," by Mr Smith (Greymouth); song, "Empire is Calling," Miss Evenden; song, "A Little Child shall lead Them," Mr H. George; duet, "Whisper and I shall hear," by Misses Burger; a recall was demanded; recitation, "The Eve of Waterloo," admirably given by Mr Gordon Harcourt; song, "The Englishman," by Rev. Mr Fountain; song, "I'm sad at heart many times, Mr R, Olderog; song, "My Old Shako," by Mr Folley (Hokitika), Misses Mulvihill and Bell were the accompanists.
At the request of the Chairman, Mr Sims addressed the gathering, expressing his pleasure at seeing such a large attendance and the spontaneity of the public in contributing towards a presentation to Nurse Jamieson, who was proceeding to the front.
Rev. P. B. Fraser, M.A., was then called on, and in the course of an impressive address referred to the great catastrophe of a European war, which was so appalling that the mind could not grasp and no language could describe. He referred to the sacrifices the Empire was making, stating the colonies were not a whit behind the British Isles in this respect. He eloquently touched upon the work of women in the war, which was important as that of the men. This was made possible by our great heroine at the Crimea, the immortal Florence Nightingale. Too much admiration and gratitude cannot be shown to the brave women who are going out to nurse, and in speaking of Nurse Jamieson he said she was going forth with her orders on a blank sheet like a ship sailing with sealed orders; she was a representative of the noblest side of life. He was pleased to be present to do honour to her, and he was quite sure she would not fail in her duty. — (Applause).
Mr James Park followed on somewhat similar lines, referring to the great war which he had always thought impossible. He said that the greatness of a nation was made in the homes; the home life was the foundation for good soldiers and nurses. The work of nurses on the battlefield was as important as that of the soldiers. The King of the Belgians had recognised this, and decorated nurses who had worked under fire. The Japanese, he said, had taught the world a lesson in looking after their soldiers. They recognised that it was better to save the life of a wounded soldier than have to replace a dead one. The battle line in the present appalling conflict was a far flung one; every part of the Empire was taking part in the great fight for liberty. The soldiers of Australia and New Zealand were equal to the best, and had performed what had been considered impossible. — (Applause).
Mr A. Aitken, in the course of his address, recalled the patriotic meeting held in that hall a little less than a year ago, and the line of fine young men who had volunteered to fight for their King and country. They have since been in action and proved themselves worthy of the great Empire to which they belong. He was very sorry to know that one young Kumara-born — J. L. Zeigler — had met his death. He, however, was a gallant soldier and met his death cheerfully and bravely. Defeat in this great struggle meant slavery, but victory would come, and he sincerely trusted that it and a lasting peace would soon be announced. He congratulated Nurse Jamieson on volunteering and in being selected out of many applicants to go to the front. He was sure she would acquit herself nobly and well. —(Applause).
Mr W. E. Richards also congratulated Nurse Jamieson on being selected for the great work of caring for the wounded soldiers, and from his knowledge of her he was sure she would acquit herself well. He wished her God speed and a safe return.
Mr S. Preston then gave a humorous song, "Look on the bright side," which turned the audience from grave to gay immediately, and he was recalled.
The Chairman then said he had a very pleasing duty to perform, viz., presenting in the name of the people of Kumara a substantial purse of sovereigns to Nurse Jamieson, who has instructions from the Prime Minister to report herself for duty on 6th July. The gathering there that night was a great honour not only to Nurse Jamieson, but to her family and relatives. They were there to say goodbye to her, but as the Rev. Mr Fraser had said, she did not know where she was going. He was proud to be Mayor of this town, which, since the outbreak of war, has done its duty to the Empire in sending its share of soldiers to the fighting line and nurses to care for them. They were now sending a Kumara-born and reared young lady, and no doubt somebody's sons will have cause to bless the town that has sent the gentle hand that tends him. He asked Nurse Jamieson to accept the purse of sovereigns with the best wishes from the people of Kumara, who unitedly join in wishing her God speed and a safe return.
Mr W. H. Evenden briefly returned thanks on behalf of Nurse Jamieson, his sister-in-law.
Cheers for Nurse Jamieson were then given, and the National Anthem sung.
The ladies then dispensed the social cup of tea and eatables, and a very pleasant evening terminated.
Nurse Jamieson left Kumara to catch the overland express, en route to Wellington. -Greymouth Evening Star, 3/7/1915.
THE CROWNING GLORY OF WOMANHOOD.
NURSES ISDELL AND JAMESON.
THEY DIE FOR HUMANITY AND CIVILISATION.
The loss of the British transport Marquette in the Aegean Sea is fraught with sadness to the Coast. Until details are available it is impossible to estimate the full extent of the Dominion's loss, but the deaths of the heroic ministers of mercy — Nurses Isdell and Jamieson — cause sorrow throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand. Noble women, whose lives have been offered as willing sacrifice to the alleviation of human suffering and the cause of mercy and civilisation, have not died in vain. It is sacrifices such as theirs that make for the uplifting of humanity and the pride and glory of nationhood. Their deaths are a glorious gain to the Empire, and though natural sorrow will long remain in the hearts of the bereaved ones they have left behind, their example will for ever shine as a beacon of light for the guidance and encouragement of the present and succeeding generations.
At the call of humanity and civilisation, what mortal can hesitate to thread the thorny path their feet have trod? What man is there in New Zealand but will feel his heart thrill with burning desire to prove, by his deeds, that he is worthy of the Empire that gave those noble women birth? In the glorious annals of the war, when the full measure of heroism and self-sacrifice is finally known, the names of Nurse Isdell and Nurse Jamieson will illumine the pages of history and their memories will for ever live enshrined in the hearts of generations that follow.
Nurse Helena Isdell was a native of Stillwater and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs James Isdell, now of Preston Road, Greymouth. Her parents are old residents of the district. In the earlier days of the Coast, Mr. Isdell was a well-known gold miner, but later for many years lie was better known as Inspector in charge of the Labour Department at Greymouth. Helena was born at Stillwater, received her primary education at the Taylorville School, and completed it in the secondary department of the Greymouth District High School. As a scholar she had what might be termed a brilliant career, but her purity of life, unselfish nature, and her keen interest in all matters of moral and physical good of the younger generation have indelibly endeared her to the community. Entering as a probationer at. the Kumara Hospital, she speedily passed all medical examinations, was appointed to Dr Barnado's private hospital at Dunedin, from whence, some two years ago, at the early age of 25, she was appointed matron of the Kumara Hospital — a position she resigned to volunteer her services at the front. As evidence of the regard and affection in which she was deservedly held by one and all, early in this year she was selected as the Kumara Queen of the Westland Carnival, and prior to leaving by the hospital ship Maheno she was the modest and retiring recipient of public presentations from the residents of Kumara, Hokitika, and Greymouth, and numerous semi-public and private gifts from such bodies as the Kumara Anglican Church and the various social and games clubs with which she was intimately connected. The other members of her family are a sister, Nurse Isabel Isdell, now in the North Island, and two brothers, Charles, enlisted with the Canadian Regiment, and Olly, chief telegraphist at Westport. (Prior to the cable advice now received, the latest news showed that Nurse Helena was in charge of the duty tents at Port Said.)
Nurse Mabel Jamieson commenced her professional life as a probationer at Kumara Hospital, and after passing her professional examinations was in private practice for two years in Wellington. About four years ago she accepted an appointment in the Grey River Hospital, of which institution she was senior sister prior to joining the hospital ship Maheno. Nurse Mabel was the daughter of Mr. Thos. Jamieson, of Church Street, Kumara, and a native of the southern borough, was educated at the Kumara District High School, and her generous character and pleasant personality endeared her to all. The other members of her family are three married sisters, Mesdames Evenden (Kumara), Wilson (Stafford), Abyss (North Island), and one brother, Mr. James Jamieson, now a farmer in the North Island.
To the relatives and friends of the martyred ladies, in common with the whole of the Dominion, we tender respectful sympathy. Their loss, however, is the nation's gain. The life example and glorious death of these noble women will long be an incentive to generations of Empire to do their duty and be true to God, humanity, and the cause of justice and right. -Greymouth Evening Star, 3/11/1915.
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