Nurses who supported wounded soldiers honoured on Anzac Day
It was a solemn day in Campbelltown as many people gathered to commemorate those who fought to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today.
Macarthur
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It was a solem day in Campbelltown as many people gathered to commemorate those who fought to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today.
An early morning dawn service, march down Queen St and the main service in Mawson Park attracted more than a thousand people.
This year it wasn’t just the soldiers of WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and many other conflicts who were remembered, but also the brave nurses who patched wounds and provided comfort; often under intense pressure themselves.
Students from St Patrick’s College Campbelltown wore replica clothes of nurses from WWI, with each student representing a nurse from the Macarthur region who participated in the conflict.
Campbelltown RSL Sub Branch vice president Warren Browning paid tribute to the nurses at this morning’s service.
“Right from the Gallipoli landings on the 25th of April 1915, nurses cared for hundreds of casualties in the hospitals and transport ships anchored offshore,” he said.
“Despite the constant threat of Turkish shelling or torpedos, the exhausted nurses cleaned, bandaged, warmed and comforted their patients many of whom had terrible wounds and were suffering the effects of gangrene and disease.
“Hospital wards on the lower deck were crowded and very poorly ventilated, disease struck down nurses and patients alike.
“At the end of WWI more than 20 Australian Army nurses had died and seven were awarded the Military Medal for courage under fire.”
Mr Browning said female nurses served in both WWI and WWII.
“Today both male and female nurses serve as part of the Navy, Army and Air Force; deploying with troops during conflicts or peacekeeping operations,” he said.
“Over recent decades the ranks of women have swelled and they are now found in most branches of the Australian Defence Force.”
The ceremony was attended by Captain Stacey Porter of the Royal Australian Navy.
St Gregory’s College student Nathaniel Robinson delivered the guest address and spoke of Australia’s gratitude to those soldiers who had made the ultimate sacrifice or had come back forever changed.
“These sacrifices of bravery and gallantry saw the construction of such a legacy that is held so dear to every Australian,” he said.
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