Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

During the Second Anglo-Boer War, Elizabeth Bole served with the Western Australian contingent of nurses.

In World War One, she served again, this time enlisting with Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve.

Embarked for UK from Fremantle per Malwa on 31 August 1914, arriving in the UK on 06 October 1914. Elizabeth was appointed to QAIMNSR on 15 October 1914, however her engagement was terminated on account of ill health 04 April 1916, at which point she was declared permanently unfit for service.

'She has been recently suffering from an attack of Influenza and the Board is of opinion that she has not full recovered her strength from that attach.  And in view of the fact that she has suffered from recent retinal haemorrhages (Aug. 1915) and was off duty for some months from this cause in 1915 the Board is of opinion that she is not likely to be fit again for general service.'

Elizabeth awaited repatriation at Scottish National Red Cross Central Hospital, Bella Houston, Glasgow, before returning to Australia.

A NURSE'S LETTER.
Dr. Haynes of this city, has received the following letter, Which was dated Mooi River, Natal, August 5, from one of the Western Australian nurses in South Africa;
"I am sure you would like to know now some of us are getting on, as you have taken so much trouble on our behalf and encountered so much senseless opposition. I believe certain statements have appeared in the West Australian Press implying that all the members of the Nurses' Contingent were greatly dissatisfied at the way they had to travel over. This is true of some, but certainly not of the majority, I myself am quite satisfied that our committee did the best they could for us under the circumstances. You worked so hard, and gave so much of your time to this matter, that it worries me to think you may consider us ungrateful. I will always be thankful that I was privileged to come and take a small share in nursing "Tommy." He is a splendid fellow, such a good patient. Bears most things so cheerily and uncomplainingly. Nurses Rogers, Armstrong, Brooks, Techan and Plover are at Howick, about twenty miles from Pietermaritzburg. They were first sent to Ladysmith, but owing to the insanitary condition of that town the authorities moved the big hospital to Howick. Nurses Emmins, Speers, and Milne are at Estcourt, 15 miles from here (I often see them), and I believe Miss Nicolay is at Ladysmith, and Nurse Taylor at Volkrust. It is very different nursing the army to nursing in a civil hospital. This one contains 1,200 beds, and is very comfortable and well-equipped. I am the only West Australian nurse here. There are three New Zealanders and one Victorian. All the others are Netley and Army Reserve sisters. We are 29 in all. At present we are not a scrap busy, as the last two months has seen a great decrease in the number of typhoid cases. We hear very little news from the front on account of the Press censorship, but the war does not seem to be drawing to a close. There are not many, surgical patients here. There is a lovely operating theatre, and a room with all the Rontgen Ray apparatus.. The best of stimulants and nourishment are given, and we are able to «»et. plenty of fresh milk here. ' Altogether, I think the patients who come to Mooi River are very fortunate. I know many of the other hospitals are not so well supplied. I often wonder what the bills must be when I see champagne and Brande's Essence served out so liberally. I had two days' leave about two months ago, and I went to see the battlefields near Ladysmith. When one sees the places Butler's army had to take, it is easily understood why Ladysmith was so long in being relieved. The town itself is very commonplace ; I don't think it is as large as York, Western Australia! Most of the large buildings show the marks of the attentions paid to them by "Long Tom" and "Silent Sue." Everybody here has treated me most kindly. The sister superintendent (Miss Cole) is most nice ; she holds the Royal Red Cross-for services to the army in Egypt. We all sleep in little bell tents, and we dine in a marquee. The kaffirs do our washing. We are really most comfortable. I believe the sisters in the Orange River colony are not so well housed as we are in Natal. Since the middle of May the nights have been intensely cold. Often in our tents in the morning there is thick ice on the water, and the canvas will be frozen. There are heavy fogs early in the night. which saturate everything, and then in the early morning it begins to freeze, The Red Cross Society gave
each nurse a large warm kuala coat. They are greatly appreciated, especially by those on night duty. We would all like to be nearer the front, but of course we had to go. wherever they wanted us. I have often smiled when 1 have remembered how some of the good people of Perth said we were not wanted here, hospital camp, with 500 or 600 sick men, require a good many people to look after them. Nearly two hundred sisters have come from England since we came here. Ï do not think any more will be required, as the worst is over now. I have not seen any of the New Zealand or Australian contingents. I would have liked to have gone to them. We have ho idea when we wiil return. I don't think before the end of the year."

Western Mail Saturday 20 October 1900 page 33

THE LATE SISTER E. A. BOLE
The funeral of the late Sister Elizabeth Amelia Bole, late of 182 Claisebrook-road, East Perth, took place on February 26.
Deceased, who was born in South Australia, had resided in this State for the past 28 years. She had been on active service in both the South African and the late war, and for her devotion to duty was mentioned in despatches. She was a member of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, England.
The cortege moved from her late residence and proceeded to the Church of England portion of the Karrakatta Cemetery, where the remains were interred in the presence of a very large gathering. The Rev. Arthur Haining coducted the burial service, at the conclusion of which 'The Last Post' was sounded by Bugler C. Yeatman.

The Daily News (Perth) Tuesday 17 March 1925 page 7