Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Staff Nurse
AANS

Born 12 September 1884 at New Glenelg, SA
Daughter of Alfred BONNIN and Katherine Jane nee BUNN
Sister of Katherine Esther BONNIN
Age 30 years
Enlisted 19 June 1915
Service in England
Promoted to Sister 01 August 1918
Returned to Australia per “Ceramic” 25 January 1919 On Duty
Appointment terminated 09 June 1919
Did not marry

ANZAC Spirit School Prize Biography 2022 by Emily McPherson, Investigator College (also attached as a document)

Irene Gertrude Hiller Bonnin was born on the 12th of September 1884 to her Australian born mother Katherine Jane, and her London-born father, Alfred Bonnin. She was one of seven children; Katherine Esther, Alfred, William James, Mary Moye, Emmeline Frances, and Constance Josephine.

Irene was born in Glenelg, Holdfast Bay, and lived at 'Fenton', Robert Street. Irene was five foot four and three quarters and weighed eight stone thirteen. When cleared by the medical examiner she was free from any physical disorders such as varicose veins which would have impacted the long days standing that were expected of World War 1 nurses.

There are no records of Irene's schooling, however, she was a member of the Australasian Trained Nurses Association (A.T.N.A.) before she joined the war. Irene received medical training at North Adelaide Private Hospital, Calvary Hospital, for four years, graduating with the N.A.P Hospital certificate and the A.T.N.A certificate.

Irene was not married when she enlisted into the war at age 30 in 1915, therefore, she listed her older sister Katherine as her next of kin.

Irene's service during World War 1:

Irene's trip began when she took the train from her home in Glenelg to Melbourne, on the 12th of June, 1915.

From there, Irene departed Melbourne on the 17th of June, destined for the Suez on the HMAT Wandilla A62. Irene was not much in favour of the boat trip, as she spent much of it seasick and ill. On Wednesday the 23rd of June, just after midday; the ship arrived at Fremantle. By Friday the 25th, the Wandilla had departed again.

On Saturday the 17th of July, during the early hours of the morning, the Wandilla arrived at the Suez Canal. Irene then travelled by train to Cairo, Egypt until 10:30 pm when she travelled in an ambulance wagon to Heliopolis.

Friendships that formed on the longboat trip from Australia, were to be the constant supports for these women during their first confronting experiences as front-line nurses in the war.

In the days after she arrived before being sent to the front, Irene like many of the other unappointed nurses would have been expected to complete many of the essential preparatory tasks such as sewing, mending, and the making of T bandages.

On the 28th of July, 11 days after she arrived in Egypt, Irene was already on emergency duty. She didn't write much in her journal about what shifts were like, but we can imagine that the sheer shock of what she witnessed during those early duties might have been quite distressing and she was unable to express her feelings in a journal entry. After these first shifts on emergency duty, Irene went back to minor duties until the 7th of August when she moved into surgical wards 10 and 11 with her friend Palmer.

Palmer was a close companion whose friendship began on the journey from Australia, and whom Irene sought comfort, throughout difficult and challenging times in the war.

Irene's days, like many of the other nurses, were fairly similar on the days she was not working. She spent them going into town, going on walks, and doing lots of everyday activities.

Gifts from Australia:

While the Australia Red Cross was valuable in sending and coordinating medical assistance on the war front. A lesser-known group back in Australia, the Australian Women's league headed by Lady Edith Bridges, would send packages of care for the Christmas of 1915.

Irene writes: On the 20th of December, we made our way into the Matrons office to receive a parcel given by the Australian Women's league in response to the Lady Bridges Appeal. It contained nice things such as soap, iodine & brush, stockings, books, chocolates and a red cross brooch.

The discharge of Irene and her life after the war:

Irene was discharged from the war on 9/ 6/19. She left London on the ship 'SS Ceramic' on 25/1/1919 and arrived home in Australia nearly two months later, on 14/3/19.

During the 1920s and 1930s, after Irene returned to Melbourne, she continued to be a nurse.

For some years during that time, she was the matron of St Ives Private Hospital in Vale St, East Melbourne. Irene also worked at the ANZAC Hostel, Mosely Street, Glenelg. 24 This Hostel is now KAPARA Aged Care Facility.

For her retirement, Irene returned to Adelaide and was admitted to the Adelaide Repatriation Hospital on 19.3.1959. Irene died on the 27th of February 1971, aged 86 years, and was buried in the North Road Anglican Cemetery, Nailsworth, South Australia.

Throughout the war, Irene served in Egypt, France, and England. She received the 1914/15 Star Medal, the British War Medal, and the Victory medal.

The badges and medals were an important recognition of their service and it was with sadness that she in fact lost her returned soldiers' badge in 1925 while travelling in QLD. Irene received a bracelet from during the war with her name, rank, A.A.N.S (Australian Army Nursing Service), and A.G.H, (Australian General Hospital) engraved on it.

The Anzac Spirit:

The Anzac Spirit is the mindset of the soldiers who fought at Gallipoli. There was not a military victory, but the men on the fields and the women in the hospitals showed great courage, endurance, initiative, discipline, and mateship.

Irene showed the ANZAC Spirit with many different characteristics including:

Comradery

Before even reaching the front, Irene helped out her fellow South Australian recruits/enlisted service people, with a little laugh for a good time:

Thursday 24th June - Coaling all night Went ashore Forgot to say ever so many of our men took the ships boats & cleared off. Mr Haslam had an awful night trying to get them-We bought fruit for the boys & sent it down to the S.A boys from SA. Nurses.

Wednesday 7th July- Meeting in drawing room after breakfast as usual. Capt. Bennett gave a few remarks! Did not play many games, too hot. S.A. Army Med. Boys sent us up a lovely case of cool drinks & sweets awfully good of them.

Mateship

The nurses pulled together to ensure no one was left without care and medical treatment This commitment to making it work, whether it was their assigned job or not, is an example of true mateship during the war.

July 2nd  - it was a most terrible night/I July 1st was a big offensive & of course, all-day Sunday pts were pouring in. New tents & wards opened; wards made surgical/ some kind of tarpaulin stuff on the floor & some mattresses. We admitted 110 during the night!! I can tell you we were somewhat in a whirl in the morning.

Family connections

Letters and gifts from home kept her spirits raised, but she was always willing to share her gifts with another in need. Irene often wrote in her diary about what letters she was expecting from whom, and you could tell by the way she wrote, that she was always excited to read about what was going on at home in Australia.

Sunday Aug 27th - Very few home letters, only Nat & Con, only got Con's dear one this time-Nat's will turn up soon I suppose.

Tuesday Sep 12th - Birthday in France! No letters but lovely parcel from dear old Em-all sorts of things. Bradford one of my old night orderlies saw me & told me he was off up the front the next day so gave him the socks, paper, milk, chocolate & a cake of soap out of the tin box which he much enjoyed.

Perseverance

Irene pushed through tough times and supported the other nurses while doing so. She did not give up when things got tough or when she was overwhelmed, but she stayed on and helped so many men recover.

20th May - Rouen, France: We are going to stay here indefinitely & everybody is most sad as here it will be impossible to nurse our own boys except a few stray ones. For myself/ like the English just as well (if not more) & what does it matter who we nurse we are all helping one another. At least "thems my sentiments”.

The impact of Irene:

Irene was a very important part of the war, not because she was a highly regarded person, but because she helped so many soldiers recover from injuries that potentially could have killed them. She saved families from grieving their loved ones. This is what the Anzac Spirit encompasses. Caring about other people and putting yourself on the line for them.

Irene would have been living in uncertainty and angst, but her life was remarkable nonetheless. She defied common stereotypes by not marrying, and then she joined the war as an independent woman. She put herself through circumstances that many people then, and many people now, would never. Irene endured extreme depression and homesickness, but she pushed through, and stayed on, creating new friends, and taking part in the Australian legacy.

Bibliography         *see attached ANZAC Spirit School Prize Biography 2022 for citations

Advertising, T., 2022. [online) Daytrippa.com.au. Available at: <http://www.daytrippa.corn.au/adelaide­ metro/full-guide/business/6536> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Archival.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://archival.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/prg/PRG621_Bonninfamily _serieslist.pdf> [Accessed 14 April 2022].

Archival.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://archival.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/prg/PRG621_21_1-2_Bonnin_diary_transcript.pdf> [Accessed 11 April 2022].

Australian Nurses in World War 1. 2022. Bo. [online] Available at <http://ausww1nurses.weeb1y.com/bo.htm1> [Accessed 4 May 2022].

Birtwistlewiki.com.au. 2022. HMAT A62 Wandilla - Our Contribution. [online] Available at:

<https://birtwistlewiki.com.au/wiki/HMAT_A62_Wandilla#:~:text==The%20ship%20was%20initially%20u sed,soldiers%20to%20and%20from%20Egypt.> [Accessed 4 May 2022].

CUSTODIANS, A., Memorial, T. and Memorial, T., 2022. BRISBANE, QLD. C. 1916. TROOP TRANSPORT Hfv1AT WAND/LLA (A62) PREPARING TO SAIL FROM PINKENBA WHARF [online] Awm.gov.au. Available at: <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/H02242> [Accessed 17 April 2022].

CUSTODIANS, A., Memorial, T. and Memorial, T., 2022. Irene Gertrude Hiller Bonnin. [online] Awm.gov.au. Available at: <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1907796> [Accessed 9 May 2022].

Discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au. 2022. Bonnin, Irene Gertrude Hiller; age 30; born - Glenelg IDiscovering Anzacs I National Archives of Australia and Archives NZ. [online] Available at: <https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/197921/8> [Accessed 29 March 2022].

Discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au. 2022. Bonnin Irene Gertrude Hiller: SERN S-NURSE: POB Glenelg SA : POE Heliopolis Egypt: NOK S Bonnin Katherine Esther IDiscovering Anzacs INational Archives of Australia and Archives NZ. [online] Available at: <https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/123501/18> [Accessed 7 May 2022].

geni_family_tree. 2022. Irene Getrude Hiller Bonnin. [online] Available at: < https://www.geni.com/people/lrene-Bonnin/6000000014680513612> [Accessed 25 March 2022].

Greatwar.co.uk. 2022. British Campaign Medals of the First World War (WW1). [online] Available at: <http://www.greatwar.eo.uk/medals/ww1-campaign-medals.htm> [Accessed 27 April 2022].

JMVH. 2022. 'Giving the dope': Australian Army Nurse Anaesthetists during World War I. [onlineJ Available at: <https://jmvh.org/article/giving-the-dope-australian-army-nurse-ana esthetists-during­ world-war-i/> [Accessed 7 May 2022].

Samemory.sa.gov.au. 2022. SA Memory. [online] Available at: <https://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?c=9034> [Accessed 9 April 2022].

State Library of South Australia. 2022. Medals and insignia belonging to Irene Bonnin. [online] Available at: <https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/PRG+621/24/1/3> [Accessed 16 May 2022].

Womenaustralia.info. 2022. Welcome - War Widows of the ACT: A Forgotten Legacy of World War I -Edith Lilian Bridges. [online] Available at: < https://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/widows/bridges.html> [Accessed 7 May 2022].

Vwma.org.au. 2022. Irene Gertrude Hiller BONNIN. [online] Available at: <https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/59528> [Accessed 14 April 2022].

2022. [online] Available at: < https://cdn.holdfast.sa.gov.au/general-downloads/Discover/Bay-to­ Battlefield-Booklet_ASP-74034_WEB.pdf> [Accessed 31 March 2022].

Died 27 February 1971 at Hindmarsh West, SA
Aged 86 years
Resided Hindmarsh West, SA
Buried North Road Anglican Cemetery

ANZAC Spirit School Prize Biography 2022 by Emily McPherson, Investigator College

Irene Gertrude Hiller Bonnin was born on the 12th of September 1884 to her Australian born mother Katherine Jane, and her London-born father, Alfred Bonnin. She was one of seven children; Katherine Esther, Alfred, William James, Mary Moye, Emmeline Frances, and Constance Josephine.

Irene was born in Glenelg, Holdfast Bay, and lived at 'Fenton', Robert Street. Irene was five foot four and three quarters and weighed eight stone thirteen. When cleared by the medical examiner she was free from any physical disorders such as varicose veins which would have impacted the long days standing that were expected of World War 1 nurses.

There are no records of Irene's schooling, however, she was a member of the Australasian Trained Nurses Association (A.T.N.A.) before she joined the war. Irene received medical training at North Adelaide Private Hospital, Calvary Hospital, for four years, graduating with the N.A.P Hospital certificate and the A.T.N.A certificate.

Irene was not married when she enlisted into the war at age 30 in 1915, therefore, she listed her older sister Katherine as her next of kin.

Irene's service during World War 1:

Irene's trip began when she took the train from her home in Glenelg to Melbourne, on the 12th of June, 1915.

From there, Irene departed Melbourne on the 17th of June, destined for the Suez on the HMAT Wandilla A62. Irene was not much in favour of the boat trip, as she spent much of it seasick and ill. On Wednesday the 23rd of June, just after midday; the ship arrived at Fremantle. By Friday the 25th, the Wandilla had departed again.

On Saturday the 17th of July, during the early hours of the morning, the Wandilla arrived at the Suez Canal. Irene then travelled by train to Cairo, Egypt until 10:30 pm when she travelled in an ambulance wagon to Heliopolis.

Friendships that formed on the longboat trip from Australia, were to be the constant supports for these women during their first confronting experiences as front-line nurses in the war.

In the days after she arrived before being sent to the front, Irene like many of the other unappointed nurses would have been expected to complete many of the essential preparatory tasks such as sewing, mending, and the making of T bandages.

On the 28th of July, 11 days after she arrived in Egypt, Irene was already on emergency duty. She didn't write much in her journal about what shifts were like, but we can imagine that the sheer shock of what she witnessed during those early duties might have been quite distressing and she was unable to express her feelings in a journal entry. After these first shifts on emergency duty, Irene went back to minor duties until the 7th of August when she moved into surgical wards 10 and 11 with her friend Palmer.

Palmer was a close companion whose friendship began on the journey from Australia, and whom Irene sought comfort, throughout difficult and challenging times in the war.

Irene's days, like many of the other nurses, were fairly similar on the days she was not working. She spent them going into town, going on walks, and doing lots of everyday activities.

Gifts from Australia:

While the Australia Red Cross was valuable in sending and coordinating medical assistance on the war front. A lesser-known group back in Australia, the Australian Women's league headed by Lady Edith Bridges, would send packages of care for the Christmas of 1915.

Irene writes: On the 20th of December, we made our way into the Matrons office to receive a parcel given by the Australian Women's league in response to the Lady Bridges Appeal. It contained nice things such as soap, iodine & brush, stockings, books, chocolates and a red cross brooch.

The discharge of Irene and her life after the war:

Irene was discharged from the war on 9/ 6/19. She left London on the ship 'SS Ceramic' on 25/1/1919 and arrived home in Australia nearly two months later, on 14/3/19.

During the 1920s and 1930s, after Irene returned to Melbourne, she continued to be a nurse.

For some years during that time, she was the matron of St Ives Private Hospital in Vale St, East Melbourne. Irene also worked at the ANZAC Hostel, Mosely Street, Glenelg. 24 This Hostel is now KAPARA Aged Care Facility.

For her retirement, Irene returned to Adelaide and was admitted to the Adelaide Repatriation Hospital on 19.3.1959. Irene died on the 27th of February 1971, aged 86 years, and was buried in the North Road Anglican Cemetery, Nailsworth, South Australia.

Throughout the war, Irene served in Egypt, France, and England. She received the 1914/15 Star Medal, the British War Medal, and the Victory medal.

The badges and medals were an important recognition of their service and it was with sadness that she in fact lost her returned soldiers' badge in 1925 while travelling in QLD. Irene received a bracelet from during the war with her name, rank, A.A.N.S (Australian Army Nursing Service), and A.G.H, (Australian General Hospital) engraved on it.

The Anzac Spirit:

The Anzac Spirit is the mindset of the soldiers who fought at Gallipoli. There was not a military victory, but the men on the fields and the women in the hospitals showed great courage, endurance, initiative, discipline, and mateship.

Irene showed the ANZAC Spirit with many different characteristics including:

Comradery

Before even reaching the front, Irene helped out her fellow South Australian recruits/enlisted service people, with a little laugh for a good time:

Thursday 24th June - Coaling all night Went ashore Forgot to say ever so many of our men took the ships boats & cleared off. Mr Haslam had an awful night trying to get them-We bought fruit for the boys & sent it down to the S.A boys from SA. Nurses.

Wednesday 7th July- Meeting in drawing room after breakfast as usual. Capt. Bennett gave a few remarks! Did not play many games, too hot. S.A. Army Med. Boys sent us up a lovely case of cool drinks & sweets awfully good of them.

Mateship

The nurses pulled together to ensure no one was left without care and medical treatment This commitment to making it work, whether it was their assigned job or not, is an example of true mateship during the war.

July 2nd  - it was a most terrible night/I July 1st was a big offensive & of course, all-day Sunday pts were pouring in. New tents & wards opened; wards made surgical/ some kind of tarpaulin stuff on the floor & some mattresses. We admitted 110 during the night!! I can tell you we were somewhat in a whirl in the morning.

Family connections

Letters and gifts from home kept her spirits raised, but she was always willing to share her gifts with another in need. Irene often wrote in her diary about what letters she was expecting from whom, and you could tell by the way she wrote, that she was always excited to read about what was going on at home in Australia.

Sunday Aug 27th - Very few home letters, only Nat & Con, only got Con's dear one this time-Nat's will turn up soon I suppose.

Tuesday Sep 12th - Birthday in France! No letters but lovely parcel from dear old Em-all sorts of things. Bradford one of my old night orderlies saw me & told me he was off up the front the next day so gave him the socks, paper, milk, chocolate & a cake of soap out of the tin box which he much enjoyed.

Perseverance

Irene pushed through tough times and supported the other nurses while doing so. She did not give up when things got tough or when she was overwhelmed, but she stayed on and helped so many men recover.

20th May - Rouen, France: We are going to stay here indefinitely & everybody is most sad as here it will be impossible to nurse our own boys except a few stray ones. For myself/ like the English just as well (if not more) & what does it matter who we nurse we are all helping one another. At least "thems my sentiments”.

The impact of Irene:

Irene was a very important part of the war, not because she was a highly regarded person, but because she helped so many soldiers recover from injuries that potentially could have killed them. She saved families from grieving their loved ones. This is what the Anzac Spirit encompasses. Caring about other people and putting yourself on the line for them.

Irene would have been living in uncertainty and angst, but her life was remarkable nonetheless. She defied common stereotypes by not marrying, and then she joined the war as an independent woman. She put herself through circumstances that many people then, and many people now, would never. Irene endured extreme depression and homesickness, but she pushed through, and stayed on, creating new friends, and taking part in the Australian legacy.

Bibliography         *see attached ANZAC Spirit School Prize Biography 2022 for citations

Advertising, T., 2022. [online) Daytrippa.com.au. Available at: <http://www.daytrippa.corn.au/adelaide­ metro/full-guide/business/6536> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Archival.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://archival.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/prg/PRG621_Bonninfamily _serieslist.pdf> [Accessed 14 April 2022].

Archival.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://archival.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/prg/PRG621_21_1-2_Bonnin_diary_transcript.pdf> [Accessed 11 April 2022].

Australian Nurses in World War 1. 2022. Bo. [online] Available at <http://ausww1nurses.weeb1y.com/bo.htm1> [Accessed 4 May 2022].

Birtwistlewiki.com.au. 2022. HMAT A62 Wandilla - Our Contribution. [online] Available at:

<https://birtwistlewiki.com.au/wiki/HMAT_A62_Wandilla#:~:text==The%20ship%20was%20initially%20u sed,soldiers%20to%20and%20from%20Egypt.> [Accessed 4 May 2022].

CUSTODIANS, A., Memorial, T. and Memorial, T., 2022. BRISBANE, QLD. C. 1916. TROOP TRANSPORT Hfv1AT WAND/LLA (A62) PREPARING TO SAIL FROM PINKENBA WHARF [online] Awm.gov.au. Available at: <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/H02242> [Accessed 17 April 2022].

CUSTODIANS, A., Memorial, T. and Memorial, T., 2022. Irene Gertrude Hiller Bonnin. [online] Awm.gov.au. Available at: <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1907796> [Accessed 9 May 2022].

Discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au. 2022. Bonnin, Irene Gertrude Hiller; age 30; born - Glenelg IDiscovering Anzacs I National Archives of Australia and Archives NZ. [online] Available at: <https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/197921/8> [Accessed 29 March 2022].

Discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au. 2022. Bonnin Irene Gertrude Hiller: SERN S-NURSE: POB Glenelg SA : POE Heliopolis Egypt: NOK S Bonnin Katherine Esther IDiscovering Anzacs INational Archives of Australia and Archives NZ. [online] Available at: <https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/123501/18> [Accessed 7 May 2022].

geni_family_tree. 2022. Irene Getrude Hiller Bonnin. [online] Available at: < https://www.geni.com/people/lrene-Bonnin/6000000014680513612> [Accessed 25 March 2022].

Greatwar.co.uk. 2022. British Campaign Medals of the First World War (WW1). [online] Available at: <http://www.greatwar.eo.uk/medals/ww1-campaign-medals.htm> [Accessed 27 April 2022].

JMVH. 2022. 'Giving the dope': Australian Army Nurse Anaesthetists during World War I. [onlineJ Available at: <https://jmvh.org/article/giving-the-dope-australian-army-nurse-ana esthetists-during­ world-war-i/> [Accessed 7 May 2022].

Samemory.sa.gov.au. 2022. SA Memory. [online] Available at: <https://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?c=9034> [Accessed 9 April 2022].

State Library of South Australia. 2022. Medals and insignia belonging to Irene Bonnin. [online] Available at: <https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/PRG+621/24/1/3> [Accessed 16 May 2022].

Womenaustralia.info. 2022. Welcome - War Widows of the ACT: A Forgotten Legacy of World War I -Edith Lilian Bridges. [online] Available at: < https://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/widows/bridges.html> [Accessed 7 May 2022].

Vwma.org.au. 2022. Irene Gertrude Hiller BONNIN. [online] Available at: <https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/59528> [Accessed 14 April 2022].

2022. [online] Available at: < https://cdn.holdfast.sa.gov.au/general-downloads/Discover/Bay-to­ Battlefield-Booklet_ASP-74034_WEB.pdf> [Accessed 31 March 2022].