Skip to main content

Sister Margaret Augusta de Mestre Memorial

Sister Margaret Augusta de Mestre Memorial
Middle
Image
Bellingen St Margaret's Anglican Church
Image
Bellingen Sister Margaret Augusta DeMestre Memorial, left section
Image
Bellingen Sister Margaret Augusta DeMestre Memorial, middle section
Image
Bellingen Sister Margaret Augusta DeMestre Memorial, right section
0 / 0
-
Description / Background

This memorial is dedicated to Sister Margaret Augusta de Mestre. It is a wooden plaque divided into three sections, including a photograph of Sister de Mestre on the right section and details of her war service on the left section. Both of these sections are protected by panes of glass.

The memorial is located on the eastern side remembrance wall within St Margaret's Anglican Church, alongside other memorials. Positioned above it are crossed Australian and United Kingdom flags.

Inscription

Left section

Sister Margaret DeMestre

The first A.N.C. Nurse serving in the 2nd Australian Imperial Forces to be killed-in-action during World War II.

Sister DeMestre was born in Bellingen on St Margaret's Day, 16 November 1915.

She grew up in Bellingen and trained at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney in 1939. In 1940 she enlisted in the [Royal] Australian Nursing Corp and made two trips to the Middle East on the 2/1st Hospital Ship, H.M.A.H.S. Manunda. Whilst the ship was being reconditioned in 1941 she served at the 113th A.G.H. Concord. She rejoined the ship in January 1942.

At 10.05am on the 19th February, 1942 Japanese forces bombed Darwin [243 killed, 350 wounded, 8 ships sunk] and the Manunda was badly damaged with 12 killed, including Margaret.

Sister Margaret DeMestre is buried in the Darwin War Cemetery.

Middle section

2nd/1st H.M.A.H.S "MANUNDA"

103 C.D.

Right section

[photograph of Sister DeMestre]

Veterans listed on this memorial

Veterans listed on this memorial

Last held rank Given name Family name Conflict/s Service No. Service Campaign Read more
Sister Second World War, 1939–45 NX70211 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) view

Do you know more about this war Memorial?

Click here to learn how you can contribute
Sidebar
Address
St Margaret's Anglican Church
100 Hyde Street
Bellingen NSW 2454
Local Government Area
Bellingen Shire
Setting
Building – inside
Memorial type
Board/roll/plaque/tablet
Recorded by
Graham Wilson OAM
Conflict/s
Second World War, 1939–45
Materials
Timber