(RRC 2^nd Class) Born in Chatham, Kent Co.,  ON. 17/12/1877. Next of Kin listed as Mrs. S. J. West of Simcoe, ON.  Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box: 8460, Item: 605015, PDF: B 8460-S049. Occupation: Professional Nurse.

Left for England August 23rd, 1915 – On service in England for 9 months.

First attestation: 19/09/1915 at London, England. At that time NS Rose was 38 years, 9 months old. She was commissioned a Nursing Sister.  She sailed overseas 27/08/1915. [In the Great War troops may have sailed across the Atlantic but to the British overseas was across the channel]. Her date of service in France was 6/06/16. 31/07/1915 NS Rose was at No.5 General Hospital until 30/08/1915.

Left for Salonica Greece, May 17th, 1916 – returned December 1916

Her second attestation appears as 16/09/1916 at London, ON. Now it is sure that NS Rose was with the CAMC (Canadian Army Medical Corps). Her first position was at the Canadian General Hospital at Salonica, Greece. This was a ‘active service’ posting and she became in poor health, she was unable to sleep and lost 20 pound and was very run down. Noted in her Medical Board “This N/Sister was on duty at No.5 General Hospital, Salonika. She had not been feeling well for some time and beginning of December (1916) went off duty. She arrived 10 days ago [there was no disembarking date listed] in England and was admitted to Vincent Square Hospital. She is rundown and requires rest from her ‘Strains of Duties’”. It was recommended that that she rest NS Rose was there from 11/01/1. 

 She was reported aboard the HS “Nevase” sailing to Alexandra, Egypt. She was invalided to the HS. “Asturias” sailing to Malta arriving 20/12/16. NS Rose was reported aboard the HS “Neuralia” for England. She was eventually transferred to the Q.A.I.M.N.S. at 71 Vincent Square S.W., London to recuperate. [69 Vincent Square was for male officers with injuries to the nervous system – 71 Vincent Square may have been just for Nursing Sisters – JRH]

Between 20/01/1917 and 22/02/1917 she was listed as “unfit for any service”.  She was TOS ( Taken On Strength) in France 28/07/17.   

Service in England till July 1917

Left for France with No 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Doullens, July 17th, 1917 to March 1919.

After the Armistice of 11/11/18 she was transferred to No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital. She was then transferred to No.2 Canadian General Hospital 1/02/19 to 13/03/19.  NS. Rose was then granted a 14 day leave to visit Rome 22/02/19.

While she nursed in the CAMC she served in the CAHC – Training School, No.5 General Hospital – Shorncliffe, No. 3 Stationary Hospital, 3^rd Canadian General Hospital, 45^th Casualty Clearing Station, No.2 Canadian General Hospital and CAMC – Casualty Company for various tenures during her service.

She was demobilized 26/05/1919 and board the HMT ‘Northland’ to return to Canada arriving at Halifax 23/05/19. He actual discharge from the CAMC came 28/051919 from Ottawa.

It is believed that she returned to the General Hospital in Nanaimo, British Columbia, and returned to her role as Matron until at least until 1921 (possibly as late as 1926). She would later move to Cambria, California where she died in 1954 (files from the Nanaimo Archives). Her medals are held at the Nanaimo Museum, where they are regularly shown on display.

Left for Canada March 1919.

She was awarded the Military Cross for her bravery and care of the wounded during the aerial bombardment of No 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital, and before leaving England was decorated by H.M.King George at Buckingham Palace.

Discharged May 26th, 1919, at Hamilton, Ontario.

Curator Note: At the best keeping track of medical staff is difficult. There was in this case one thing I had not come across anywhere but with NS Pauline Rose. When opening her file the Attestation paper dated 16/09/16 was not signed by her, but her name was printed and the signature was for a witness.

It was not until I got into her complete file and came across he Attestation signed by her was dated in London, England  16 Sept. 1915. She must have been in England when the war broke out but before the 1^st Canadian Division arrived. She unlike NS G. French who telegraphed the Prime Minister offering her services and she would pay her fare (was not necessary) and would nurse to the end of the war. Both of these women did outstanding service.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	Military Cross
Sources	IODE(P), Chatham Daily Planet (14-11-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (22-04-1918), LAC-FMF,, Irene Goldstone – researcher 8/05/18, emailed file, Glennis Zilm.

Height	5'6"
Eye Colour	Brown
Age	42
Complexion	brunette
Hair	Brown
Race	White
Birthplace	Chatham, Ontario
Religion	Church of England
Last Place of Employment	General Hospital, Uanaimo, B.C.
Marital Status	Single
When Enlisted	July 29th, 1915
Where Enlisted	Victoria, B.C.
Next of Kin	Mrs. S.J. West, Simcoe, Ontario

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