Journals, photographs and employment reference belonging to Sister Evelyn Percy Wright, 1917-1920

Journals, photographs and employment reference belonging to Sister Evelyn Percy Wright, 1917-1920
Historical note: 

Enlisting for service on 23 April 1915 in Sydney, Murrurrundi-born nurse Evelyn Wright had previously worked as a nurse at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children. Embarking overseas on 15 May 1915, Sister Wright served continuously at hospitals and clearing stations in England and France until the Armistice was signed in November 1918. She served in the Australian Army Nursing Service.

After the fighting ceased, Wright was attached to No. 44 and No. 3 Casualty Clearing Stations as they conducted their retiring sweep through France and occupied Germany; the latter where Wright helped nurse victims suffering pneumonic influenza.

Evelyn Wright eventually returned to Australia in late 1919, living and working on her family’s farm at Tamworth from the 1930s. She died while still living on the farm in 1985 at the age of 103.

These objects complement a previous donation that includes letters written by Evelyn Wright while serving in Europe and a photo album from the period.

Category: 
Diaries and personal papers
Themes: 
Australian Army Nursing Service
Conflict: 
First World War (1914-18)
Production Date: 
1917-1920

On this day

On this day
3 June

1942 — Battle of MIDWAY began. This decisive victory by the US Navy over the Japanese Navy shifted the balance of sea power in the Pacific and forced Japan to abandon plans to attack New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa. Japanese losses were 4 aircraft carriers, 1 cruiser, 248 aircraft, and over 3,000 sailors.  American losses were 1 aircraft carrier, 1 destroyer, 150 aircraft, and 307 men

1944 — 78 Squadron, RAAF, carried out the last major air combat by the RAAF in WW2, off BIAK Island, New Guinea. 10 enemy planes were shot down for the loss of one Australian plane and pilot

1969 — HMAS MELBOURNE collided with USS FRANK E EVANS in the South China Sea.  EVANS was cut in half and 74 of her crew were killed