Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Daughter of George Howard and Ellen BIRT
Was a State School Teacher in South Australia
Appointed to Hundred of Joanna, SA in 1886
Appointed to Peak Vale, SA in 1889
Appointed to Joyce South Provincial School, SA in 1890
Appointed to Raglan, SA in 1892
Moved to WA from SA after the Boer War
Served in WW1 in hospital in England
​No1 General Wynberg and Boer POW Camp St Helena.

Matron Margaret C. Birt.
Matron Margaret C. Birt, R.R.C., who was born at Wentworth, went from the Perth Public Hospital (where she was trained) to the staff of the Wynberg Military Hospital, South Africa, and later was in charge of the Boer Prisoner of War Camp at St. Helena. When the European war broke out she, too, was holidaying in England. Throughout the war she was matron at the Red Cross Hospital at Huntingdon (Eng.).
​Matron Birt died at Albany, WA, in 1927.

News has been received by Mrs. J.L. Hubble, of Glenelg (SA) of her niece, Miss M. Birt "Sister Margaret" and her nephew Mr. C.W.H. Birt having received important appointments in connection with the war. Miss Birt is now sister-in-charge of the Red Cross Hospital established at Ferror House, Huntingdon, England, which was recently visited by the King. She is a member of the A.T.N.A., and has previously had thrilling experiences on active service. Miss Birt went as nurse in the Boer War, and with the Conje prisoners to St. Helena, and at the conclusion of operations was in charge of a number of wounded soldiers to England. After 12 months' work there she returned to South Australia and subsequently left for Western Australia.

The Register Tuesday 15 December 1914 page 4

The sad passing of Sister Margaret Birt, R.R.C., on April 29, is deeply regretted by many personal friends and in nursing circles in Perth, Fremantle, and Coolgardie. Sister Birt volunteered for nursing service in the South African war. She was subsequently in charge of a hospital for Boer prisoners on St. Helena afterwards going to England on transport duty. Sister Birt was travelling in Germany when war broke out in 1914. After
great difficulty she succeeded in reaching England, where she volunteered at once for military nursing service. She was matron of a military hospital until after the armistice, and was decorated by the King with the Royal Red Cross medal, Sister Birt died at Albany. She was accorded a full Military Funeral by the RSL Albany branch, Captain Anderson, of the Albany forts, being in command. Sister Birt was president of the Albany branch of the R.S.L. Women's Auxiliary .and was mainly responsible for the planting of the Avenue of Honour on Middleton Road.

The West Australian Friday 06 May 1927 page 9

DEATH OF NURSE BIRT, R.R.C.
RECORD OF DISTINGUISHED
WAR SERVICE.
MILITARY FUNERAL.
Sister Margaret Coombe Birt, R.R.C. who died at her residence in Serpentine-road, Albany, on Friday last, was possessed of a distinguished record of war service covering two campaigns. Her demise is indeed attributed to in roads made upon her health by many years of devotion to soldiers of the Empire. Sister Birt was resident in Capetown when the Boer War broke out on October 11, 1899, and she immediately volunteered for nursing duty and was accepted, proceeding to the island of St. Helena to minister to wounded Boer prisoners. She rendered continuous service until the close of the campaign and then proceeded to England as a sister on a hospital ship. A term of study of her adopted profession followed and Sister Birt then returned to Australia to enter into practice. When war was declared in 1914 she was engaged in a world's pleasure tour and had reached Cologne, in Germany. lt was only after many exciting experiences and with great difficulty that she reached England. Her services were immediately accepted and August, 1914, found her in command as matron of the Red Cross Hospital at Huntingdon, which contained 200 beds. At this institution she rendered devoted and continuous duty throughout the full campaign, terminating her appointment in July, 1919. The authorities awarded her the coveted Royal Red Cross and she received that decoration simultaneously with the award of the D.S.O. to her brother, Colonel C. Birt, now of Tambellup, for distinguished service in the field. Illness prevented the attendance of this officer at Sunday's funeral. Another brother-Lieut. Jim Birt, M.C. fell in action, and a sister Miss Jean Birt joined up with the W.A.C. division. In September of 1919 Sister Birt returned to West Australia and shortly afterwards took up up residence in Albany. Her interest in the returned men never laxed and she played a prominent part in establishing the Avenue of Honor to local fallen men, which is set in Middleton road. Sister Birt was a native of Wentworth, N.S.W.
All sections of the community assembled on Sunday afternoon to pay respect to the departed sister. The remains were accorded a military burial in recognition of the years of service rendered the Empire by deceased. The cortege left the residence of Mr. F.Bradshaw (brother-in-law), Serpentine road, at 3.15, for the Church of England Chief mourners were;- Mr. and Mrs E. P. Birt (Tambellup), Mr. A. T. Birt (Tambellup), Mrs. A. E. Bradshaw Mr. and Mrs. F. Bradshaw (Albany), Miss Jean Birt (Perth), Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Bilney.
A large number of representative townsmen also marched including the member for the district (Mr. A. Wansbrough, M.L.A.) The York-street route was taken to the Church of England, the band playing he "Dead March." The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. E. Arundell, M.A., who spoke very impressively of the Christian spirit of the departed one and referred to her devotion to those who served in the Great War.
At the conclusion a favourite hymn of deceased was sung. As the procession left the building for the Church of England cemetery, many other citizens augmented the gathering, which swelled to greater proportions still at the graveside. The rector again conducted the service and the hymn, "Abide With Me," was sung to the band's accompaniment. Bandsmen W. Lane and J. Dickenson sounded "The Reveille" at the close. The pallbearers were Warrant-Officer Milne, Sergeant Timewell Lance-Sergeant C. Clingin and D. Thompson, Bombardier Oates and Gunner Chester, A.G.A., while a detachment of returned men acted as coffin bearers. Many beautiful floral tokens of sympathy were in evidence and messages came to hand from all parts of the State. Mr. H C. Prior conducted the funeral arrangements.

​Albany Advertiser Wednesday 04 May 1927 page 3