Skip to main content

Sister Lydia Abell

Commemorated at
Given name
L
Family name
Abell
Additional information
Gender
F
Rank (legacy)
Sister
Unit at embarkation
Red Cross Contingent - Royal Red Cross
Service (legacy)
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve (QAIMNSR)
Veteran Notes/Bio

Although she was awarded the Royal Red Cross, this award has no connection with the Red Cross organisation. It was established by Queen Victoria in 1883 to recognise exceptional service in miliary nursing. This memorial refers to the WWI nurses it names as the "Red Cross contingent", but this was a mistake although an understandable one. Apart from Lydia Abell who was with the QAIMNSR, ie the British military nursing unit, they were all members of the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS). The Red Cross was a completely separate organisation although it did supply voluntary nursing aides ("V.A.s") to assist trained staff at war hospitals in Australia, Britain and areas of conflict.

Do you know more about this war Veteran?

Click here to learn how you can contribute