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Sister Kathleen M. Neuss Memorial Tree, Inverell

Sister Kathleen M. Neuss Memorial Tree, Inverell
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Sister Kathleen M. Neuss Memorial Tree
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Inverell R.S.M. Club Garden of Remembrance
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Sister Kathleen M. Neuss Memorial Tree plaque
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Description / Background

This memorial tree is a Callistemon (red bottlebrush). It is planted in the Inverell Returned Servicemen's Memorial (R.S.M.) Club Garden of Remembrance. A small plaque bearing the dedication to Sister Kathleen Margaret Neuss is positioned at the base of the tree.

Neuss was born in Ballarat, Victoria on 16 October 1911. She attended Inverell High School and worked at the Inverell Hospital. A resident of Cremorne in Sydney, she enlisted in the Australian Army on 17 December 1940. On 20 January 1941, The Inverell Times reported she was to be given a farewell in the Oakwood Hall that evening.

On 28 September the following year, the Times published the below announcement:

Sister K. M. Neuss is officially declared missing in a recent casualty list. The last time her parents heard from her she was in Malaya; the letter was dated February 15, just before the conquest by the Japanese.

A member of the 10th Australian General Hospital and prisoner of war, she died on 16 February 1942 when shot by the Japanese. Neuss was one of 22 Australian nurses aboard the ship Vyner Brook when it was sunk by the Japanese. The nurses were driven into the sea and shot, and only Sister Bullwinkel survived.

Please note, her posting is listed as the 12th Australian General Hospital on the plaque.

Inscription

NXF70523

Lt. Kathleen Margaret

Neuss

12th A.G.H.

Shot by the Japanese

12-2-42

Banka Island

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 Kathleen Margaret Neuss Second World War, 1939–45 NX70527 Australian Army Medical Womens' Service view

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Address
Inverell R.S.M. Club
68-76 Evans Street
Inverell NSW 2360
Local Government Area
Inverell Shire
Setting
Garden/park
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Memorial avenue/Memorial tree/Memorial trees
Recorded by
Graham Wilson
Conflict/s
Second World War, 1939–45